6-57

To Support the Specific Ministry Pastor Program and Remove Its Age Requirement

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Official Workbook overture source text

Overture: 6-57

Workbook page: Contents page ix; overture page 398

Source pages: Contents page ix; overture page 398

Source status: source checked / public

6-57 
To Support the Specific Ministry Pastor Program 
and Remove Its Age Requirement 
WHEREAS, The Synod continues to face significant pastoral 
shortages, particularly in rural, urban, ethnic, and mission-start 
contexts; and 
WHEREAS, Many congregations of the Synod struggle to secure 
full-time seminary-trained pastors, leading to extended vacancies, 
limited Word and Sacrament ministry, and challenges in 
congregational vitality and growth; and 
WHEREAS, The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program has 
provided a faithful, rigorous, and supervised path for the formation 
and ordination of pastors to serve in specific ministry contexts under 
the oversight of the seminaries and districts; and 
2026 Convention Workbook
398 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

To Support the Specific Ministry Pastor Program and Remove Its Age Requirement

Pause and Pray at 3:07 p.m.