To Promote Divine Call Opportunities for Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology Pastors

Official Workbook overture source text

2-04 
To Promote Divine Call Opportunities for Ethnic 
Immigrant Institute of Theology Pastors 
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastors who 
are trained through the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology 
(EIIT), but who do not have a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.), often 
do not qualify for job positions as foreign missionaries (including 
to their c ountry of origin) that are created by the Board for 
International Mission (BIM); and 
W
HEREAS, It is the responsibility of the Office of International 
Mission (OIM) to recruit and recommend candidates to the BIM for 
divine calls (Bylaw 3.8.3); and 
W
HEREAS, Scripture teaches us that it is our Lord’s desire to 
increase the number of workers sharing the Gospel: “And [Jesus] 
said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 
Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out 
laborers into his harvest’” (Luke 10:2); and 
W
HEREAS, Scripture also teaches us that the sending of God’s 
laborers is indeed a global outreach: “you will be my witnesses in 
Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” 
(Acts 1:8); and 
W
HEREAS, We as a Synod confess that to do so effectively 
requires that pastors are sent in a proper manner: “Our churches 
teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer 
the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call” (AC XIV); and 
WHEREAS, EIIT trained pastors possess the unique cultural 
knowledge and language skills to serve with great impact amongst 
their native peoples; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the BIM be encouraged to develop inclusive job 
descriptions (where appropriate) for missionaries that would allow 
EIIT trained pastors not yet possessing an M.Div. to qualify for 
more opportunities to engage in Word and Sacrament ministry with 
overseas populations; and be it further 
Resolved, That the OIM be encouraged to recruit broadly from 
among all categories of ordained pastors in good standing and 
recommend them to the BIM for divine calls. 
Our Savior 
Laurel, MD
 
Ov.