To Encourage Further Consideration of Requiring Successful Completion of Specific Ministry Pastor Coursework before Ordination and Placement on Ordained Roster

Official Workbook overture source text

6-50 
To Encourage Further Consideration  
of Requiring Successful Completion  
of Specific Ministry Pastor Coursework before 
Ordination and Placement on Ordained Roster 
WHEREAS, The 2018 Mid- South District convention 
memorialized the 2019 Synod convention “To Request Synod to 
Move Ordination Upon Completion of SMP Four -Year Program” 
(2019 Ov. 6-07, Workbook, 451–52); and 
WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention considered this overture 
together with similar overtures from other districts and 
congregations; and 
WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention adopted Resolution 6-
03A, “To Enhance the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program,” 
referring this matter to the Pastoral Formation Committee to “work 
to enhance the curriculum and standards of the SMP program 
between the two sem inaries” and to “review the SMP program 
regarding the optimal timing for vicarage and ordination and report 
its recommendation to the joint boards of regents at its 2020 
meeting, as well as to the Synod at large” (2019 Proceedings, 159); 
and 
WHEREAS, Res. 6 -03A further resolved “That the joint board 
[sic] of regents prepare an overture to the Synod on the timing of 
vicarage and ordination for the SMP program for consideration in 
convention in 2022” (ibid.); and 
WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention considered the 
recommendations of the Pastoral Formation Committee and the 
joint boards of regents of the seminaries, which are forthcoming; 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention reaffirm the 
importance of the Pastoral Formation Committee, the joint boards 
of regents, and the Synod’s consideration of the issues regarding the 
timing of ordination in the SMP program; and be it further 
Resolved, That the district in convention encourage the Pastoral 
Formation Committee, the joint boards of regents of the seminaries, 
and the Synod in convention to consider moving ordination and 
placement on the minister of religion—ordained roster of the Synod 
from after the completion of the first two years of the SMP program 
to after the completion of all SMP education and academic 
requirements for applicants admitted after the 2026 academic year. 
Mid-South District 
Ov.