To Affirm and Support Established Parameters of Specific Ministry Pastor Program

Official Workbook overture source text

6-52 
To Affirm and Support Established Parameters  
of Specific Ministry Pastor Program 
WHEREAS, The Synod established the Specific Ministry Pastor 
(SMP) program to address ministry needs in specific contexts where 
residential seminary formation is not feasible; and 
W
HEREAS, The SMP program was intentionally designed as a 
limited and contextual pathway, distinct from the Master of Divinity 
program, which provides comprehensive formation including 
extensive study of Holy Scripture, theology, pastoral practice, and 
supervised formation; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed that alternative 
pastoral formation programs exist to serve exceptional 
circumstances and are not intended to replace residential seminary 
education; and 
W
HEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC), acting 
under authority delegated by the Synod (Bylaws 3.10.4– 3.10.4.7; 
2016 Res. 6-01; 2019 Res. 6-02, 6-03A; 2023 Res. 6-03A), provides 
ongoing oversight of pastoral formation pathways to ensure 
faithfulness to Sc ripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and Synod 
intent; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently maintained that the SMP 
program is to be understood as an exceptional pathway and not as a 
general or normative staffing model for congregations; and 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture exhorts ministers to rightly handle the 
“word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); and 
WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession teaches that no one should 
publicly teach or administer the Sacraments without a rightly 
ordered call and proper preparation (AC XIV); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod affirm the SMP program as a valuable 
but exceptional pathway intended for clearly defined ministry 
contexts under carefully established parameters; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the SMP program is not 
intended to function as a normative staffing solution where 
residential seminary formation is reasonably feasible; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That districts and congregations be encouraged to 
adhere faithfully to Synod-approved SMP policies and to prioritize 
residential seminary formation whenever feasible; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the PFC be encouraged to continue regular 
oversight of the SMP program to ensure it remains consistent with 
its original purpose and stated intent; and be it finally 
Resolved
, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful SMP 
pastors who serve under call for the sake of Christ’s Church. 
Trinity (Decatur Rd) 
Fort Wayne, IN 
Ov.