To Require Completion of Academic Requirements prior to Specific Ministry Pastor Ordination

Official Workbook overture source text

6-49 
To Require Completion of Academic Requirements 
prior to Specific Ministry Pastor Ordination 
WHEREAS, Synod, at its 2001 convention passed Resolution 3-
08B, “To Address Needs and Opportunities for Pastoral Ministry in 
Specialized Situations” (2001 Proceedings, 138–39); and 
WHEREAS, 2001 Res. 3-08B provided for Licensed Lay Deacons 
to continue to be trained under supervision  as approved by 1989 
Resolution 3-05B (ibid., 139); and 
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 13-02A, “To Regularize Status of Licensed 
Lay Deacon s Involved in Word and Sacrament Ministry” (2016 
Proceedings, 236 –38) regularized ministries toward ordination 
consistent with the Book of Concord (AC XIV, Ap XIV); and 
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 13-02A provided several options toward 
ordination of existing Licensed Lay Deacons, including regional 
Specialized Ministry Pastor (S MP) c olloquy, SMP program , and 
alternate route program; and 
WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5- 01B “To Establish Specific Ministry 
Pastor Program” (2007 Proceedings, 133–38) provided for SMP 
candidates to receive “preordination curriculum, and post -
ordination curriculum” (ibid., 134) and to be ordained: “Ordination 
vows may be taken prior to the conclusion of a complete course of 
study provided that the ordained has received a preparation 
sufficient to preach and teach the Gospel rightly, administer the 
Sacraments correctly, and take his vows with integrity.” (ibid.); and 
WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5-01B reads in part: 
… 
Step 2: Preordination Curriculum 
Upon entrance into the Specific Ministry Pastor Program, the 
student will be assigned as a vicar in a specific locality but 
normally will not be authorized to administer the Sacraments. He 
will preach sermons prepared in collaboration with and approved 
by his supervisor. At this point, he will participate in courses and 
seminars comparable to those offered to residential seminary 
students designed to prepare him in the following areas: 
• Catechism, hermeneutical principles, God and Christ, 
work of Christ, the Sacraments, worship, the Book of 
Concord, and preaching 
• Possible residential seminars: intro to pastoral 
formation; issues in pastoral ministry 
• Possible field seminars: basic mission planter training, 
etc. 
Step 3: Certification/Call/Ordination 
After demonstrating competence in the preordination areas, the 
student must apply for an examination hearing by the seminary 
in order to be certified for call and ordination. Each student will 
be evaluated on a case-by- case basis. The examination hearing 
shall include a review of the student’s portfolio, vicarage reports, 
an interview by the faculty, and recommendations by the district 
president and circuit counselor. 
After certification, call, and ordination according to the usual 
order, the student is placed on the pastoral roster of the Synod as 
a “specific ministry pastor.” He now may preach and administer 
the Sacraments under supervision in a specific locality. 
Step 4: Post-Call and Ordination Curriculum 
Upon call and ordination, the student shall complete the 
remainder of the Specific Ministry Pastor Program. The 
following areas are intended to continue development of the 
foundational competencies necessary for serving as a specific 
ministry pastor: 
• Old Testament content and theology, New Testament 
content and theology, gifts of Christ, body of Christ, 
2026 Convention Workbook
394 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES