To Affirm Residential Pastoral Education at Our Seminaries

Official Workbook overture source text

6-42 
To Affirm Residential Pastoral Education  
at Our Seminaries 
WHEREAS, He who seeks the o ffice of overseer desires a noble 
task (1 Tim. 3:1); and 
WHEREAS, The apostles left all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; 
18:28–30; Matt. 19:27), showing that the life of the ministry is one 
of sacrifice; and 
WHEREAS, Jesus set an example of the importance of in -person 
theological education by teaching His apostles, in-person, for nearly 
three uninterrupted years (Acts 1:21–22); and 
WHEREAS, During the time of instruction, Jesus warned His 
apostles to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” (Matt . 16:6), 
along with many other admonitions to watch, pray, guard, and then 
to baptize and teach all nations “to observe all that I have  
commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20); and 
W
HEREAS, Those who seek the Office of the Holy Ministry are 
accountable to God (James 3:1); and 
WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that pastors are especially to “hold 
firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to 
give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who 
contradict it” (Titus 1:9); and 
WHEREAS, The history of education and research following the 
COVID-19 pandemic have shown that residential education is 
superior to online education ( brookings.edu/articles/how-does-
virtual-learning-impact-students-in-higher-education); and 
WHEREAS, Other disciplines that deal with the care of people 
such as physicians and surgeons, require intense in-person 
instruction; and 
W
HEREAS, The challenges the Church faces today make intense 
theological formation in God’s Word more necessary, not less; and 
WHEREAS, The care of souls in our parishes requires that our 
pastors be highly trained by orthodox Lutheran teachers and made 
ready for ministry, as the Scriptures declare in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and 
Titus 1:5–16; and 
WHEREAS, Christ’s sheep deserve the best and most well-trained 
under shepherds of the Good Shepherd possible; and 
WHEREAS, The daily rhythm of worship in the seminary chapels, 
which is an integral aspect of residential seminary education  and 
inculcates humility toward God’s Word, is central for the personal 
and spiritual formation of pastors (Ap V 189); and 
W
HEREAS, Jesus has made in-person formation holy through His 
incarnation; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its commitment 
to residential seminary education at the Synod seminaries, in line 
with previous convention resolutions (e.g., 2019 Res. 6- 02, “To 
Promote Residential Seminary Education as the Preferred Option 
for the Preparation of Men for the Pastoral Ministry,” 2023 Res. 6-
02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation through Our 
Synod’s Seminaries,” and 2023 Res. 6 -03A, “To Affirm and 
Strengthen the Synod’s Commitment to Well -Formed Clergy for 
the Sake of the Gospel”); and be it further 
Resolved, That all men aspiring to the Office of the Holy 
Ministry, regardless of background and means, be required to speak 
with an admissions officer at a Synod seminary, so they may be 
thoroughly acquainted with the benefits of the ministry and the 
church by a full residential formation; and be it further 
Resolved, That all men aspiring to the Office of the Holy 
Ministry as candidates of the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program 
or Alternate Route (meaning  specifically the r esidential Alternate 
Route offered at both Concordia Theological Seminary and 
Concordia Seminary  that which closely parallels the M .Div. 
program, but not the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology [EIIT], 
the Specific Ministry Pastor [SMP] , the General Pastoral 
Certification [GPC], or the Center for Hispanic Studies [CHS ] 
programs; cf. csl.edu/academics/programs/residential -alternate-
route%20rar/ and ctsfw.edu/academics/programs/pgm/alternate-
route/) program be required to pursue residential education at a 
Synod seminary or residential education at a seminary in altar -
pulpit fellowship with the Synod; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the seminaries, districts, congregations, and laity 
do their utmost to ensure the proper support of men training for the 
pastoral office, recognizing the sacrifices necessary for the training 
of ministers of the Gospel and the spread of the Gospel. 
Iowa East District 
2026 Convention Workbook
390 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES