6-38

To Give Thanks to God for Many Existing Routes to Office of Holy Ministry

This is official source text extracted from the 2026 LCMS Convention Workbook. It is distinct from analysis or commentary. Check official LCMS convention materials for final authority.

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Official Workbook overture source text

Overture: 6-38

Workbook page: 388

Source pages: 388

Source status: source checked / public

Submitter: Atlantic District

Ov. 6-38

To Give Thanks to God for Many Existing Routes to Office of Holy Ministry

WHEREAS, In 2006, the Atlantic District in convention passed resolutions designed to strengthen and expand the scope of mission and ministry by resolving to prepare 100 home -grown mission leaders for service to Lord and Church; and

WHEREAS, By God’s grace, well over 100 men and women have been developed, trained, and sent to serve in congregations of the district as lay deacons, ministers of religion —commissioned, and ministers of religion—ordained; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of this leadership development model have been visible signs of God’s grace in more than half of the congregations of the district, as they exercise various spiritual gifts in service; and

WHEREAS, Mission opportunity remains at the highest level in the district, even as transitions in leadership demand more strong Lutheran Christian leaders in its congregations, schools, and agencies; and

WHEREAS, The Specific Ministry Pastor program, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Center for Hispanic Studies, Concordia University Irvine’s Mission Training Center, residential M.Div., and General Pastor Certification programs have all provided excellent avenues for continuing the development toward the service of “home- grown mission leaders” in the district;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the district in convention give thanks to God for the many existing routes to the Holy Ministry in the Synod by rising to sing the first stanza of “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest” ( LSB 498:1); and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize the 2026 Synod convention with this resolution.

Atlantic District

Source record notice

Official Workbook source text remains separate from any clearly labeled draft discernment material. Review status is source checked.

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Committee

Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries

Themes

Theme tags are a conservative research aid for finding patterns in proposed resolutions. They are not official LCMS classifications.

Doctrinal Missional Governance Relational Pastoral

Citations

Workbook source for 6-38: LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook, p. 388

Draft discernment material

AI Summary and Discernment Aid

This section is an AI-assisted summary and prayer guide based on a draft discernment document. It is not official LCMS material, not a substitute for the Workbook, and not a substitute for reading the full overture. Please read the complete overture text below before forming conclusions, speaking publicly, or voting.

The draft guide summarizes the apparent direction this way. Readers should compare this with the full overture text and any floor committee action.

Floor Committee 6: Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries

Summary and possible impact

The resolves appear to ask the church body to give Thanks to God for Many Existing Routes to Office of Holy Ministry. In plain language, this overture is trying to move the stated concern into convention action by publicly giving thanks, commending faithful work, or marking an anniversary. Main actors named or implied include districts, Synod in convention. The overture contains about 2 resolve clauses, so delegates should read each clause rather than reacting only to the title. Because it is mainly a thanksgiving or commendation overture, its impact would likely be pastoral and cultural rather than regulatory, giving public encouragement and setting a positive tone. Delegates should still ask whether the commendation teaches clearly, avoids unnecessary factional signaling, and points the church back to Christ and His gifts. Support it if the thanksgiving is true, Christ-centered, and useful for building up the church. Seek amendment if the praise becomes promotional fog, selective memory, or celebration without repentance where repentance is needed.

Prayer for discernment

Lord Jesus Christ, risen Shepherd of Your Church, guide our delegates and leaders as they weigh this overture. Keep them captive to Your Word, joyful in the Lutheran confession, sober under Your Law, and bold in Your Gospel. Bless pastors, seminarians, congregations, and all who serve under the call of Christ. Give courage to support what serves Your truth and mission, humility to amend what is unclear or excessive, and faithfulness to reject what would burden consciences, obscure the forgiveness of sins, or distract from Your sending. Let all things serve the proclamation that Christ is risen, sinners are forgiven, and Your Church is sent in love. Amen.

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