To Encourage Secular Vocational Training for Current and Potential Ordained and Commissioned Ministers

Official Workbook overture source text

6-80 
To Encourage Secular Vocational Training  
for Current and Potential Ordained  
and Commissioned Ministers 
WHEREAS, The Lord has commanded that those who preach the 
Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:3–18); 
and 
WHEREAS, It is good, right, and salutary for churches to have a 
pastor (Titus 1:5); and 
WHEREAS, There is a decline in church membership and 
attendance; and 
WHEREAS, Financial strain and stress can come about for 
ordained and commissioned church workers and their families when 
salary guidelines are not met; therefore be it 
Resolved
, That the North Dakota District encourage 
congregations to follow the district salary guidelines for ordained 
and commissioned church workers; and be it further 
Resolved, That district pastors catechize their congregations 
regarding biblical stewardship and first -fruits giving; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the district encourage ordained and 
commissioned church workers to develop other vocational skills as 
a means of income for the present and future needs of their families; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention 
and send this resolution to our seminaries and colleges to encourage 
current and potential ordained and commissioned church workers 
to develop other vocational gifts; and be it finally 
Resolved, That district congregations whose ordained and 
commissioned church workers cannot be compensated according to 
district salary guidelines be admonished to show understanding, 
reduce expectations, and allot time for ordained and commissioned 
2026 Convention Workbook
411PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES