To Implore Council of Presidents to Fulfill 2019 Resolution 6-03A re Supervision of Specific Ministry Pastors

Official Workbook overture source text

6-63 
To Implore Council of Presidents  
to Fulfill 2019 Resolution 6-03A  
re Supervision of Specific Ministry Pastors 
WHEREAS, Synod Bylaw 2.13.1 states that every specific 
ministry pastor “shall serve under the supervision of his district 
president and another pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor”; 
and 
WHEREAS, The term “supervision” is left largely undefined apart 
from the general definition that supervision is “to have authority 
over, to direct actions, to control activities” (Bylaw 1.2.1 [u]) and is 
therefore open to a variety of interpretations; and 
W
HEREAS, There is a great variety of specific ministry pastors 
serving in a wide variety of contexts and with a great variety of 
education, years of service, and gifts; and 
W
HEREAS, This situation has created a number of questions 
regarding the amount and level of supervision that shall be 
employed as per Synod Bylaws; and 
W
HEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention adopted Resolution 6-
03A, “To Enhance the Specific Ministry Pastor  (SMP) Program,” 
which includes the resolve, “That the Council of Presidents in 
coordination with the Pastoral Formation Committee draft 
guidelines and training to enhance the mentoring and supervision of 
specific ministry pastors, taking into account the wide variety of 
abilities of pastors and the contexts in which they serve, to assist 
district presidents, circuit visitors, and supervising pastors in 
supporting the SMP pastors under their care” (2019 Proceedings , 
159); and 
W
HEREAS, These guidelines and training either have not been 
completed or have not been widely promulgated throughout the 
Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The number of specific ministry pastors continues to 
increase, thereby creating a growing and continuing need for such 
guidance and training; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention implore the Council of 
Presidents (COP) to complete this important assignment with the 
due and swift attention that is needed; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank the COP for their 
service and efforts. 
SELC District 
Ov.