To Seek Koinonia on Pastoral Formation and Routes to Ministry

Official Workbook overture source text

6-26 
To Seek Koinonia on Pastoral Formation  
and Routes to Ministry 
WHEREAS, The issue of pastoral formation has received much 
attention in both official and unofficial forums of the Synod over 
the last decade; and 
WHEREAS, Since 2010, the Koinonia Project has been developed 
and employed by the Synod with “the prayer that there be a cultural 
shift toward more open and honest discussion under the Word of 
God” (2016 Res. 4-05A, “To Continue and Expand the Koinonia 
Project,” Proceedings, 148); and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod in convention adopted 2016 Resolution 4-
05A, resolving that “each member of the Synod and each member 
of a Synod congregation will follow the principles of the Koinonia  
Project, namely, that when there is disagreement regarding doctrine 
and practice the baptized will come together through their unity in 
Christ to live out that unity as they study the Word of God and 
pray”; and 
W
HEREAS, Various activities, statements, and reports since Jan. 
1, 2025, have generated controversy within the Synod on the issue 
of pastoral formation and routes to ministry, evidencing 
disagreement within the Synod on the issue; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the spirit of 
koinonia (fraternal conversation) throughout all the members and 
entities of the Synod concerning pastoral formation and routes to 
ministry; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents, the Office of the 
President, and the Pastoral Formation Committee establish and 
initiate a synodwide process consistent with the Koinonia Project of 
not less than two years that allows for much fraternal discussion and 
edification with respect to pastoral formation, including existing 
and potential routes to ministry, and anticipated future ministry 
needs for the members of the Synod; and be it finally 
Resolved, That this process shall include face-to-face discussions 
within all circuits and districts of the Synod involving ministry 
leaders (ordained, commissioned, and lay) to reflect the various 
views, perspectives, and contexts in which the members of the 
Synod carry out ministry. 
 
St. John 
Seward, NE 
Ov.