To Encourage Transparency and Clarity in Pastoral Colloquy Process

Official Workbook overture source text

6-13 
To Encourage Transparency and Clarity  
in Pastoral Colloquy Process 
WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures declare, “Do your best to present 
yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be 
ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); and 
WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession (AC) teaches, “t hat we 
may obtain [the  faith that God counts for righteousness] , the 
ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments 
was instituted” (AC V 1), and that “no one should publicly teach in 
the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered 
call” (AC XIV); and 
WHEREAS, Bylaws provide that the Colloquy Committee for the 
Pastoral Ministry (CCPM), in consultation with the President of the 
Synod, shall develop all necessary policies to govern eligibility and 
the process to be followed to determine qualifications and 
suitability for pastoral service in the Synod, and that decisions to 
certify applicants shall be at the sole discretion of the committee  
(Bylaw 3.10.2.2 [a–b]); and 
WHEREAS, Bylaws further specif y eligibility and routes, 
including that applicants recommended by a district president and 
2026 Convention Workbook
369PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES