To Affirm That Pastoral Formation in the Synod Is Done by Synod-Approved Seminaries

Official Workbook overture source text

6-23 
To Affirm That Pastoral Formation in the Synod  
Is Done by Synod-Approved Seminaries 
WHEREAS, The Office of the Holy Ministry has been instituted 
by Christ Himself (John 20:19–23; Eph. 4:11–16); and 
WHEREAS, An objective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri 
Synod (LCMS) is to “recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other 
professional church workers and provide opportunity for their 
continuing growth” (Const. Art. III 3); and 
WHEREAS, A central purpose in the formation of the LCMS, 179 
years ago, was to share together in the task of preparing and 
recognizing LCMS pastors, whom LCMS congregations would 
then be free to choose and call for service. Thus, the Synod has, 
from its beginning , supported and operated its own seminaries: 
Concordia Seminary (CSL) and Concordia Theological Seminary 
(CTSFW); and 
WHEREAS, In May 2025, the presidents of CSL and CTSFW 
wrote letters to the Synod responding to questions about non-LCMS 
online theological programs appealing to LCMS students and 
donors; and 
WHEREAS, The presidents of CSL and CTSFW clearly stated in 
their letters that graduates of these non-approved programs may not 
be ordained or installed in an LCMS congregation or ministry and 
that these non-approved programs are neither owned, operated, nor 
governed by the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, These two presidents (of CSL and CTSFW) are two 
of the three members of the Pastoral Formation Committee, whose 
primary role is “ensuring that the Synod’s objective of training 
pastors is fulfilled consistently (Constitution Art. III 3)” (Bylaw 
3.10.4); and 
WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention, in Resolution 6-02A, 
“To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation through Our Synod’s 
Seminaries,” resolved that “districts and members of the Synod 
honor, use, and promote Synod- approved programs and not create 
2026 Convention Workbook
377PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES