To Affirm Exclusive Seminary Path and In-Person Formation for Pastoral Ministry

Official Workbook overture source text

6-14 
To Affirm Exclusive Seminary Path  
and In-Person Formation for Pastoral Ministry 
WHEREAS, The Lord calls His c hurch to faithfulness in doctrine 
and practice (John 8:31; Acts 2:42); and 
WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that pastoral ministry involves close 
mentoring and modeling of life and doctrine (2 Tim . 2:2; 1 Tim . 
4:12–16); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod  Constitution and B ylaws reserve for 
seminaries approved and sanctioned by convention, currently 
Concordia Theological Seminary ( CTSFW) and Concordia 
Seminary ( CSL), collectively, “seminaries ,” the responsibility to 
educate, form, and train pastors for the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The unity of faith and confession is best preserved 
through agreed-upon structures and processes, including residential 
Master of Divinity programs at Synod seminaries; and 
W
HEREAS, In -person, face-to -face formation fosters 
accountability, spiritual growth, and communal life essential to 
pastoral preparation (Heb. 10:24–25); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that the Synod-
sanctioned residential seminaries —currently, CTSFW and CSL—
are the exclusive path for pastoral education, formation, and 
training in the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That congregations and rostered workers actively 
recruit, encourage, and support men to pursue pastoral ministry 
through these seminaries; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that in-person, 
face-to-face education and formation is essential to the process of 
preparing men for the pastoral office; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod commend the residential model of 
pastoral formation as the standard for theological education in the 
Synod. 
Good Shepherd, Lincoln, NE; Memorial, Houston, TX 
Ov.