To Encourage Equal Outcomes in Routes to Pastoral Formation in the Synod

Official Workbook overture source text

6-46 
To Encourage Equal Outcomes  
in Routes to Pastoral Formation in the Synod 
WHEREAS, Jesus’ words still ring true such that there remains an 
urgent need for sending workers into the harvest fields where, “the 
harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2; Matt. 9:37 
NIV); and 
W
HEREAS, Among the main objectives for the purpose of the 
Synod listed in the Constitution is the preparation of such workers: 
“Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church 
workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” 
(Const. Art. III 3); and 
W
HEREAS, Another main objective for the purpose of the Synod 
in the Constitution is to “Encourage congregations to strive for 
uniformity in church practice, but also to develop an appreciation 
of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in 
harmony with our common profession of faith” (Const. Art. III 7); 
and 
WHEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee, working with the 
two Synod seminaries, Concordia Seminary and Concordia 
Theological Seminary, makes provision for both that uniformity 
and appreciation of variety in recommending new routes leading to 
ordination (Bylaw 3.10.4.1); and 
WHEREAS, New routes to ordination may only be implemented 
after “approval by resolution of the Synod” (Bylaw 3.10.4.2); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has implemented a variety 
of routes of pastoral formation leading to ordination, which include 
the residential pathways of Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) and 
Residential Alternate Route (RAR), and the non -residential 
pathways of the  Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP), Cross -Cultural 
Ministry Center (CMC), the Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS), and 
the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT); and 
W
HEREAS, These routes do not offer equal outcomes as students 
are only able to earn a M.Div. degree through the residential routes, 
as compared to, for example, in the CMC route, only a Masters of 
Arts in Theology (MAT); some ordained pastors who have 
completed t heir route to ordination, such as specific ministry 
pastors, are also given a distinctly limited roster status; and 
WHEREAS, Already in the 19th century the Synod instituted 
variety in its routes for training its pastors by offering a more 
practical seminary in Springfield, Ill., or a more theological 
seminary in St. Louis, Mo., without instituting a difference in roster 
status such that throughout the history of the practical seminary 
students graduating from the more practical seminary received the 
same roster status as those who graduated from the more theological 
seminary; and 
WHEREAS, The roster distinction introduced for SMP graduates 
makes these pastors distinct from EIIT graduates, CHS graduates, 
and RAR graduates who also may be ordained without an academic 
degree and who have also received a lesser level of theological 
training than full M.Div. students; and 
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions in the Treatise of the 
Power and Primacy of the Pope state that before God there is no 
substantive difference between ordained pastors (Tr 60–65); and 
WHEREAS, The difference in roster status for specific ministry 
pastors creates confusion over their status as pastors among the 
pastorate and laity (such as the ability of specific ministry pastors 
to be on call lists, and the ability of specific ministry pastors to serve 
as ecclesiastical supervisors for commissioned ministers), even 
though the Lutheran Confessions are clear that an ordained pastor 
is a full pastor; and 
WHEREAS, Congregations recognize and value their pastors 
based on the functions of the office they faithfully execute and 
spiritual care they provide, regardless of their pathway to ordination 
or official roster status; and 
W
HEREAS, All rostered pastors of the Synod serve under 
ecclesiastical supervision and under the mutual admonition of their 
fellow pastors; therefore be it 
Resolved, T
hat the Pacific Southwest District esteem all who 
hold the Office of the Public Ministry in the Synod with honor, and 
encourage all those pursuing pastoral ministry regardless of their 
pathway to ordination, thanking God for their service to His people 
and their commitment to proclaim the G ospel of Jesus Christ; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention 
to develop a process through which a specific ministry pastor, after 
ten years of faithful and effective ministry, demonstrating 
ministerial competence and spiritual fitness, and grounded in the 
2026 Convention Workbook
392 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES