LCMS 2026 Convention Field Guide

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Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.

Report number/id: R13.5
Report title: R13.5 Policy Requirements for the Specific Ministry Pastor Program (Pastoral Formation Committee, 2023 Res. 6-03A) R 13.6 Report on the Development of a Comprehensive, Uniform, Synodwide Specific Ministry Supervision Plan (Pastoral Formation Committee, 2023 Res. 6-03A)
Workbook start page: 75
Workbook end page: 83
Source pages: 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83
Source status: source_checked
Committee: Not available

R13.5

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8. Ongoing supervision of SMP pastors throughout their careers of ministry will be formalized, de/f_ined, documented
(i.e., on LCMS Church Worker Locator, Pastoral Information Forms) and required for continued rostered SMP status.
Commitment to long-term supervision will be explicitly acknowledged and planned by the student and by the congrega-
tion, circuit and district from the beginning of the program and shall be the responsibility of the district president and the
SMP pastor to arrange and document on a continuing basis.
(*) Exceptions to Policy Requirements 1–3 may be recommended to the admissions committees of the seminaries by the
Council of Presidents a/f_ter approval by a majority of the COP. STATUS AND INTENTION OF THESE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
/T_hese policy requirements for the LCMS SMP program stand as:
• An oﬃcial re-articulation of the nature and parameters of the SMP program to foster a shared, common understanding of
the program across our Synod;
• An aﬃrmation of the value and legitimacy of the SMP program for its de/f_ined purposes;
• A reassertion of key aspects of the original design of the SMP program;
• A re/f_lection of the church’s prioritization of full-time pastoral formation in a seminary community;
• An eﬀort to maintain a salutary balance within our overall ministerium between residentially formed pastors and SMP
pastors;
• Policy requirements for district presidents in their counsel of potential SMP applicants and approval of SMP sites; and
• Policy requirements for the seminaries in the operation of the SMP program, including eligibility and prioritization consid-
erations for admission to the program.

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Report R13.6
Report on the Development of a Comprehensive, Uniform, Synodwide Speciﬁc Ministry
Supervision Plan (Pastoral Formation Committee, 2023 Res. 6-03A)

ASSIGNMENT

The 2023 LCMS Convention delegates assigned the Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) “to
develop and present a comprehensive, uniform, synodwide Speciﬁc Ministry Supervision Plan.”
(2023 Resolution 6-03A [Proceedings, 163]).

PREFACE

For clarity in its fulﬁllment of the task assigned to it by Resolution 6-03A, the PFC has identiﬁed and
distinguished three consecutive, distinct time periods during which supervision is provided for
speciﬁc ministry vicars/pastors. This nomenclature will apply throughout the balance of this report:
• Period A: The initial two-year time of seminary studies undertaken by a speciﬁc ministry
student-vicar
1, ending with his examination (seminary certiﬁcation), call, and ordination as
a speciﬁc ministry pastor;
• Period B: The subsequent two-year time of seminary studies undertaken by a speciﬁc
ministry student-pastor (newly ordained and serving in context as a speciﬁc ministry pastor
to his calling LCMS congregation-of-origin), ending with graduation from the seminary’s
program of speciﬁc ministry instruction; and
• Period C: The subsequent service to an LCMS congregation by a speciﬁc ministry pastor
following graduation from the seminary’s program of speciﬁc ministry instruction.
The provision of adequate supervision over speciﬁc ministry vicars and pastors over Periods A, B,
and C has been a mandatory feature of the Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor (SMP) program since its formal
establishment by the Synod in 2007 Resolution 5-01B. LCMS Bylaw 2.13.1 directs that every
speciﬁc ministry pastor shall “… serve under the supervision of his district president and another
pastor who is not a speciﬁc ministry pastor” without limitation as to the time period under which
the speciﬁc ministry pastor shall remain under supervision— that is, for the entire remaining period
of a man’s service as a speciﬁc ministry pastor in the LCMS.

1 Every SMP student is, by deﬁnition, a vicar serving an LCMS congregation-of-origin from the very start of
seminary studies until certiﬁcation and ordination into the Office of the Holy Ministry as an LCMS speciﬁc
ministry pastor. Currently, speciﬁc ministry pastor certiﬁcation and ordination occur at the midway point of
seminary studies (i.e., after two years, with two subsequent years of seminary studies remaining until
graduation); this midpoint timing of SMP certiﬁcation and ordination remains unchanged from the Synod’s
establishment of the SMP program in 2007.
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The 2007 Resolution 5-01B, “To Establish Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Program,”2 includes the following
statements:

Theological Foundations Guiding the Proposal (p. 133)
2. Lutherans affirm that there is only one Office of the Holy Ministry, established by God for the
public conduct of the ministry of Word and Sacrament. However, the church may recognize
certain distinctions within that one Office of the Holy Ministry and establish degrees of
supervision without undermining the unity of the office [emphasis added].
a. All those who serve Christ in the Office of the Holy Ministry exercise de iure divino (by
divine authority) the power to preach the Gospel, forgive sins, administer the
Sacraments, and exercise church discipline. There is no distinction within the one office
with respect to this power and authority.
b. Nevertheless, all ministers serve under supervision [emphasis added]. In ancient times,
the practice of making certain distinctions within the one Office of the Holy Ministry de
iure humano (by human authority) was established so that those ministers with broader
and deeper theological understanding should be able to provide doctrinal supervision
for less experienced, or less well-prepared, ministers [emphasis added]. These
distinctions were made to ensure that the Gospel was rightly preached and taught, and
to preserve the unity of the church. …

Overview of the “Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor” Program (p. 134)
The speciﬁc curriculum will be determined and developed by the seminary faculties, in collaboration
with those from the ﬁeld who represent the speciﬁc ministerial contexts at district and
congregational levels. It will be based on the following principles: …
3. The engagement of supervisors/mentors by the seminary in consultation with the district
presidents as a critical element of the distance education model [emphasis added]. …

The Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Program will utilize selected mentors in the preparation of a man for
pastoral ministry with an emphasis on the area of spiritual formation [emphasis added]. ..

Step 2: Preordination Curriculum (p. 135)
Upon entrance into the Speciﬁc Ministry Program, the student will be assigned as a vicar in a speciﬁc
locality but normally will not be authorized to administer the Sacraments. He will preach sermons
prepared in collaboration with and approved by his supervisor [emphasis added]. …

Step 3: Certiﬁcation/Call/Ordination (p. 135)
After certiﬁcation, call, and ordination according to the usual order, the student is placed on the
pastoral roster of the Synod as a “speciﬁc ministry pastor. ” He now may preach and administer the
Sacraments under supervision in a speciﬁc locality [emphasis added].

Step 5: Completion of the Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Program (p. 135)
Speciﬁc ministry pastors are recognized as just that: pastors certiﬁed for calls into speciﬁc ministry
contexts, who serve under the supervision not only of the district president but also of a designated

2 Floor Committee 5, “Seminary and University Education:” C: Jon Diefenthaler (SE), DP: Vice-chair: Carl
Krueger, Jr. (SELC); Richard Boche (WY); John Wille (SW), VOM: Allen Behnke (SE); Philip Kaufmann (CI); Chris
Kellogg (RM); Michael Redeker (IN), VL: John Bahr (AT); Kathy Meier (MNS); Janice Nafzger (MO), AOM: Arleigh
Lutz (NW); Ronald Wiese (MDS), ACM: Ron Bork (NEB); Jonathan Laabs (NI).
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general ministry pastor. As such, they are eligible for calls into a similar speciﬁc ministry context,
where they continue under the supervision of a general ministry pastor ” [emphasis added].

Because their theological education is formed within the context of their speciﬁc ministry and does
not represent the breadth and depth of theology and ecclesiology that forms a basis for pastoral
oversight beyond the local level, they may not be placed into ecclesiastical roles of exercising
pastoral oversight outside the location of their speciﬁc call (i.e., in the church-at-large), such as …
d. supervising vicars [emphasis added].

(C) Add a new section at the beginning of Bylaw section 2.3 to deﬁne a” speciﬁc ministry pastor”
and the limitations on membership privileges and responsibilities that pertain, as follows:
Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Status and Limitations
2.13.1 A “speciﬁc ministry pastor” is a minister of religion— ordained who has completed
the requirements for service as a speciﬁc ministry pastor and has been examined
by one of the Synod’s seminaries, has received a regular call, and has been placed
by the Council of Presidents into a speciﬁc Word and Sacrament ministry context.
He is eligible to serve only in that speciﬁc ministry context for which he has been
trained and may not be offered or accept a call for ministry for which he has not
been certiﬁed as determined by his district president. He shall serve under the
superv ision of his district president and another pastor who is not a speciﬁc
ministry pastor [emphasis added].
(a) Because he is under supervision of another pastor and because a
speciﬁc ministry pastor ’s theological education has been formed
in part by and for a speciﬁc ministry context, he may not be
placed or called into ecclesiastical supervision roles that exercise
pastoral oversight outside the location of his call [emphasis
added ]. 3

(E) Change Bylaw 3.1.3.1 to read as follows:
… and be it further Resolved, That the DELTO Oversight Committee be renamed as the Speciﬁc
Ministry Pastor Committee; and be it further

Resolved, That the Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Committee be placed under the supervision of the
Board for Pastoral Education [emphasis added]; and be it further
Resolved, That the Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Committee develop comprehensive guidelines that
are consistent with the theological foundations, educational expectations, rostering process,
training of mentors and supervising pastors, and membership limitations intended for this
Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Program [emphasis added]; and be it ﬁnally
Resolved, That the Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Committee submit a progress report to the Synod at
least nine months prior to the 2010 convention.

3 LCMS 2019 Bylaw 2.13.1, p. 63.
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SUPERVISION OF SMP STUDENT-VICARS AND SMP STUDENT-PASTORS
(PERIODS A AND B)

Supervision Documents Developed by the SMP Committee
In May 2012, the SMP Committee issued its ﬁrst report to the Synod. The SMP Committee sent a
second update on March 15, 2013, “The Speciﬁc Ministry Program: A White Paper Presented to the
LCMS.”
In its 2013 white paper, the SMP Committee reported that the committee had developed and
posted a number of SMP policies, procedures and documents as of March 31, 2008.
Following the adoption of the SMP program in principle at the 2007 LCMS
Convention, the SMP Committee’s immediate attention was dedicated to
developing common policies, procedures, and documents that both seminaries
could utilize Synod-wide. These policies and documents were crafted by sub-groups
of the SMP Committee and agreed-upon by all parties involved. They include
Admission Criteria, Admission Sequence, Application for Admission, Pastor
Supervisor Responsibilities [a.k.a. “Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor-Supervisor Position
Description], Covenant Agreement [a.k.a. “Partnership Covenant for Participation in
the SMP Program”], and Congregational Instructions for Vicarage Application . The
ﬁnal document developed, the Application for Admission , was posted on March 31,
2008. These documents were posted electronically on the Web sites of both
seminaries and of the former LCMS Board for Pastoral Education.
4
Currently, the Council of Presidents Manual (including its accompanying documents) contains the
original SMP Committee’s above-cited policies, procedures, and documents in unamended form
from 2008. The current (as of May 2025) CSL SMP Manual contains similar policies, procedures,
and documents, but with some amendments subsequently made that have resulted in differences
when compared with both (1) the original SMP Committee’s above-cited policies, procedures, and
documents and (2) the COP Manual (including its accompanying documents). CTSFW is currently
developing a comprehensive SMP Manual that will gather all SMP policies, procedures, and
documents in one place.
The above-cited policies, procedures, and documents developed by the original SMP Committee
pertain to the SMP Program during Periods A and B. With some amendments subsequently made,
these policies, procedures, and documents (without yet making use of the Period A and B
nomenclature), are materially still in use and managed by the seminaries. Two of the original SMP
Committee’s documents directly pertain to Period A and B speciﬁc ministry supervision :
1. Pastor Supervisor Responsibilities [a.k.a. “Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor-Supervisor Position
Description”]. This document details the qualiﬁcations, selection, responsibilities,
accountability, compensation, and terms of service of the pastor-supervisor.

4 The Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Committee of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, “The Speciﬁc Ministry
Pastor Program: A White Paper presented to The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, ” March 15, 2013, p. 3.
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2. Covenant Agreement [a.k.a. “Partnership Covenant for Participation in the SMP Program”].
This document details the commitments of the seminary, district president, sponsoring
entity/calling agency, pastor-supervisor, and speciﬁc ministry student-vicar and student-
pastor, among which is a commitment for the provision of SMP supervision.
Both documents— Pastor Supervisor Responsibilities and Covenant Agreement — are included in
the COP Manual and the CSL SMP Manual (with various amendments in the CSL SMP Manual). The
Covenant Agreement was most recently reviewed by the COP in April 2024. The preface of this
document states:
Participation in the SMP program requires a relationship of trust among those
involved in this unique opportunity to prepare workers for Christian ministry and
mission. A candidate for this program does not initiate the admission process
himself, but rather is nominated and supported by those who represent and are
responsible for the speciﬁc ministry/mission into which the candidate will be
placed. This document articulates the covenant of trust and responsibility that
exists among the seminary, the candidate, the sponsoring ministry/mission, and the
district.
For sake of consistency and to avoid confusion, both of these “old” documents — Pastor Supervisor
Responsibilities and Covenant Agreement — should be replaced as “SMP-Supervising Pastor
Position Description Prior to SMP Graduation and Certiﬁcation (Periods A and B)” and “Partnership
Covenant for Participation in the Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Program” in the seminary manuals and the
COP Manual with the PFC’s newly developed documents proposed here (Appendix A) in fulﬁllment
of the PFC’s Resolution 6-03A assignment.

SUPERVISION OF SPECIFIC MINISTRY PASTORS
RATIONALE AND FEEDBACK/COMMENTS
(PERIOD C)

Rationale for Ongoing Supervision in Period C
2023 LCMS Bylaw 2.13.1 states that upon graduation the speciﬁc ministry pastor “shall serve under
the supervision of his district president and another pastor who is not a speciﬁc ministry pastor.”
From the creation of the SMP Program (2007 Resolution 5-01B) to the present, the speciﬁc ministry
pastor serves under such supervision for the duration of his ministry as a speciﬁc ministry pastor.
The primary reason for SMP supervision after graduation and certiﬁcation is stated in the original
2007 Resolution 5-01B:
All ministers serve under supervision. In ancient times, the practice of making
certain distinctions within the one Office of the Holy Ministry de iure humano (by
human authority) was established so that those ministers with broader and deeper
theological understanding should be able to provide doctrinal supervision for the
less experienced, or less well-prepared, ministers. These distinctions were made to
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ensure that the Gospel was rightly preached and taught, and to preserve the unity of
the church [emphasis added].
2007 Resolution 5-01B further states:
The church should provide the opportunity for a pastor who has been certiﬁed and
ordained to serve in a speciﬁc kind of ministry subsequently to be prepared to serve
the church more broadly through a combination of further academic preparation ,
accumulated pastoral experience, and examination [emphasis added].5
Credits and Contact Minutes: Master of Divinity and SMP
Pastoral formation through the attainment of a Master of Divinity degree is the route to pastoral
ministry in the LCMS that embodies, using the language of 2007 Resolution 7-01B, “broader and
deeper theological understanding.” 2023 LCMS Resolution 6-03A reaffirms what previous
conventions also stated, namely that:
The residential Master of Divinity (M.Div.) route at our Synod seminaries continues to
be positioned and understood as the Synod’s strongly preferred route to ordination,
supplying Synod congregations with well-formed, highly educated pastors who as
members of the Synod (ministers of religion— ordained, Bylaw 2.6.1) are prepared to
preach, teach, and care for souls over a lifetime of faithful ministry in any and every
context into which the Lord calls them into service” [emphasis added].
The following table presents a brief comparison of the pastoral formation routes available through
CSL. (Note that total credits are listed here as semester credit hours.)
CSL Total Semester
Credits
Classroom
Credits
Combination of
Credit hour Courses*
Minimum Contact
Minutes
MDiv 98 90.5 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 63,350
RAR 74 66.5 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 46,550
GPC 60.5 60.5 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 42,350
CHS

36 10 modules per
course each term
2.0 28,800
SMP 32 32 2.0 22,400
EIIT 0 24 courses 4,080
CMC
*CSL is on the semester system.
1.0 credit hour course: minimum of 700 contact minutes
1.5 credit hour course: minimum of 1050 contact minutes
2.0 credit hour course: minimum of 1400 contact minutes
2.5 credit hour course: minimum of 1750 contact minutes
3.0 credit hour course: minimum of 2100 contact minutes

The following table presents a similar comparison of the routes available through CTSFW. (Note
that total credits are listed here as quarter credit hours.)

5 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, (CSL) and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, (CTSFW) offer the
online General Pastoral Certiﬁcate (GPC) for speciﬁc ministry pastors to become a general pastor in the
LCMS. speciﬁc ministry pastors may also complete the M.Div. or R.A.R. programs. Credit is given for prior
SMP coursework in all three routes.
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CTSFW Total Quarter
Credits
Classroom
Credits
Combination of
Credit hour Courses*
Minimum Contact
Minutes
MDiv 139 136 1, 2, 3, 4 81,600
SMP 51 48 3 28,800
*CTSFW is on the quarter system.
1 credit hour course: minimum of 600 minutes of direct faculty instruction.
2 credit hour course: minimum of 1,200 minutes of direct faculty instruction.
3 credit hour course: minimum of 1,800 minutes of direct faculty instruction.
4 credit hour course: minimum of 2,400 minutes of direct faculty instruction.

The following table presents a comparison of the Master of Divinity and SMP Curricula at CSL and
CTSFW.
CSL MDiv CSL SMP CTSFW MDiv CTSFW SMP
Exegetical Bible Exegetical Bible
Isagogics Scripture and Faith Isagogics Pastoral/Missional Theology in Luke/Acts
Greek Grammar Old Testament Theology Greek Grammar The Books of Moses (Gen-Deut)
Hebrew Grammar New Testament Theology Hebrew Grammar The Person of Jesus in John’s Gospel
Interpreting and Communicating the
Word (Hermeneutics)
The Church and Its Life Pentateuch I (Gen-Deut) The Epistles of Paul – Planting the Gentile
Mission
The Torah (Genesis – Deuteronomy) Pentateuch II (Gen-Deut) The Prophets – Christ and His Mission
Foretold
The Prophets Major Prophets
The Psalms The Psalms
Synoptic Gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke) Gospels (Hermeneutics, Textual
Criticism, Matthew)

Pauline Epistles Gospels II (Luke, Mark)
Gospel of John Gospels III (John, 1 John)
Biblical Languages Lab Pauline Epistles
New Testament Greek Readings
Historical Historical
Introduction to Historical Theology The Lutheran Reformation Church History I (First Eight Centuries) The Church in Missiological Perspective
The Reformation and the Lutheran
Church
Church History II (Reformation Era)
History Elective Church History III (Lutheran Orthodoxy/
Modern Church History)

Church History IV (Lutheran Church in
America from 17th century)

History Area Elective
Seminar: Historical Text
Seminar: Luther Text
Practical Pastoral Ministry and Missions
Introduction to Practical Ministry Introduction to Pastoral Ministry Homiletics I Teaching the Faith
Introduction to Pastoral Ministry Preaching I Homiletics II Ministry and Mission in T oday’s Pluralistic
Context
Homiletics Preaching II Pastoral Theology I
Worship and Word Introduction to Worship Pastoral Theology II
Teaching the Faith Teaching the Faith Theological Ethics
Pastoral Care and the Word Pastor as Leader and Theologian Pastoral Counseling
Reading and Preaching the Word (co-
taught with Exegetical)
Liturgics I
Introduction to Pastoral Leadership Liturgics II
Pastoral Leadership and Theology Bibliography and Technology
Electives: Congregational Revitalization,
Worship and Culture, Conﬂict
Resolution, Growing the Faith, Classics
of the Devotional Life, Spiritual
Autobiography, Communicating the
Gospel to Contemporary Culture,
Christianity and Literature, Special
Issues in Pastoral Counseling
Field Education
Field Education Confessing Christ in Today’s World (Intro
to Missions

Ministry in a Pluralistic Context
Formation Lab
Systematics Systematics
Introduction to Systematic Theology The Master Narrative Lutheran Confessions I (AC, Apology) Introduction to Systematic Theology
Creeds and Confessions Creedal Themes Lutheran Confessions II (Sm/Lg
Catechisms, Smalcald Articles, Treatise)
Theologia I: Baptism, Life in Christ
Systematics I Lutheran Distinctions Lutheran Confessions III (Formula of
Concord)
Theologia III: The Lord’s Supper: Life in
Christ Nourished and Sustained
Systematics II Means of Grace Dogmatics I Lutheran Confessions in Today’s World
Church and World Lutheran Confession of Faith Dogmatics II The Holy Trinity: The Mission of God in
Today’s World
Free Electives (12) including: Lutheran
Confessions in Today’s World, The Holy
Dogmatics III
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Trinity — The Mission of God in Today’s
World
Theologia I: Baptism, Life in Christ
Theologia II: Preaching
Theologia III: Lord’s Supper: Life in Christ
Nourished and Sustained

The Master of Divinity degree includes on-campus immersion and formation, with in-person
classes, real-time interaction with professors and fellow students, in-person daily chapel,
socialization and support for seminary families, and more. SMP certiﬁcation is a mostly online,
hybrid program carried out in the context of an SMP cohort. SMP students are required to attend at
least one on-campus, one-week intensive course annually. At CSL, many SMP students attend two,
and the majority of those attending only one express that they would like to attend two on-campus
intensives but are limited by personal circumstances.
At the 2013 LCMS Convention, delegates adopted Resolution 5-04B “To Continue and Strengthen
Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Program” [emphasis added]. The Rationale states that there are concerns
regarding the SMP program. One of the eight concerns listed is “lack of consistent standard for
mentoring SMP vicars and pastors” [emphasis added].

District President and Circuit Visitor Feedback/Comments
In 2024 and 2025, the PFC interviewed each of the 35 LCMS district presidents. In addition, the
Standing Partnership marketing and communications ﬁrm interviewed 60 circuit visitors and
collected surveys from more than 1,800 LCMS pastors. These interviews were conducted to fulﬁll
convention assignments given to the PFC in 2023. The district presidents, circuit visitors, and
pastors were asked to provide comments on and suggestions for improvements to the current state
of Period C SMP supervision within the Synod’s 35 districts.
One conclusion drawn from these interviews is that the level of Period C SMP supervision varies
signiﬁcantly between districts, between individual SMP supervisors within a district, and across the
various ministerial contexts served by SMP pastors. Concerning the general quality and
consistency of current SMP supervision (Periods A, B, C), district presidents and circuit visitors
noted that:
• Consistency of Period C SMP supervision is rated 1 out of 10 (10 being best), while quality of
Period C SMP supervision rated 3.5 out of 10.
• Once an SMP student-vicar is ordained, SMP supervision in Periods B and C is largely
hands-off, with merely occasional direct visits. This general practice (with notable
exceptions) sends a signal (unintended or not) to SMP student-pastors (still being formed
through seminary SMP courses) and SMP pastors (once graduated from the SMP Program at
either seminary) that Period B and C supervisors feel that their supervision work is mostly
complete and no longer so critically needed.
• Senior pastors serving as SMP-supervising pastors, who are often full-time pastors
themselves, ﬁnd it challenging to provide consistent ongoing SMP supervision. The
demands of their congregations often limit the time and attention they can dedicate to

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supervising speciﬁc ministry student-vicars, speciﬁc ministry student-pastors, or speciﬁc
ministry pastors.
Concerning practical realities that inﬂuence the success of ongoing Period C SMP supervision in
particular, district presidents and circuit visitors stated:
• A key factor in Period C SMP supervision is the availability and willingness of experienced
pastors to serve as supervisors.
• Congregations and pastors with a history of doctrinal ﬁdelity and the ability to supervise
less experienced pastors must be identiﬁed and utilized.
• Geographic challenges, such as those that arise when pastors (either those supervising or
those being supervised) serve dual or multiple parishes, make consistent SMP supervision
substantially more difficult.
Sharing perspectives on the need for Period C SMP supervision, district presidents and circuit
visitors stated:
• There is general agreement that some form of ongoing support and accountability is
beneﬁcial for speciﬁc ministry pastors.
• Some suggest that over the term of Period C, SMP supervision might evolve from active,
regular supervision to more of a coaching or mentorship relationship, especially for SMP
pastors who have already served for several years in their ministry.
• Some ﬁrmly stated that the need for ongoing supervision, coaching, or mentorship isn't
unique to SMP pastors but in fact applies to all pastors in the Synod, regardless of pastoral
formation and route to ordination.
• All acknowledge that LCMS Bylaws stipulate that speciﬁc ministry pastors are to be
supervised for the entirety of their pastoral ministry after graduation and certiﬁcation.
However, some question the practicality and/or utility of such Period C SMP supervision.
Concerning the variability and/or lack of a universal, across-the-Synod systemic process for Period
C SMP supervision, district presidents and circuit visitors stated:
• The organizational structure put in place by a district for SMP oversight, supervision, and
ongoing training (per LCMS Bylaws) plays a crucial role in Period C SMP supervision. Some
noted that the quality of supervision is largely dependent on how well a district’s personnel
and other resources are arranged and managed.
• Several district presidents indicated that the quality and consistency of SMP supervision
varies signiﬁcantly from district to district, which is symptomatic of a lack of a uniﬁed or
consistently implemented system across the Synod.
• While SMP supervision (presumably including Period C SMP supervision) is mentioned in
the COP Handbook (14.2.7, “Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor-Supervisor Position Description,” 7 0 9),
this guidance document does not provide speciﬁc details regarding the desired
characteristics and implementation of that supervisor-to-supervised relationship. Lack of
clear deﬁnitions and full consensus at a broader level (i.e., within the Council of Presidents)
is likely contributing to the variability in characteristics and implementation of SMP
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supervision at the district and congregational level. In other words, the current requirement
for “SMP supervision” is a very “blanket, one-size-ﬁts-all” requirement without a clear and
consistent set of deﬁnitions behind it, thus leading to a wide spectrum of inconsistent
practices across districts.

PROPOSED
SPECIFIC MINISTRY PASTOR SUPERVISION PLAN
PERIOD C

Background Note Concerning the Work of the Pastoral Formation Committee
At the 2016 Synod convention, delegates adopted Resolution 6-01 “To Create a Pastoral Formation
Committee, ” resolving, in part, that the newly formed Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) “shall
review, assess, coordinate, support, and make suggestions for improvement of all existing
noncolloquy routes leading to ordination in the Synod, including seminary and pre-seminary
programs” (cf. Bylaw 3.10.4). The work and responsibility of the formerly constituted SMP
committee, organizationally located under the former Board for Pastoral Education, is now (that is,
is naturally understood to be) located under and overseen by (cf. Bylaw 1.2.1(p)) the PFC.
With the adoption of 2019 Resolution 6-03A (Proceedings, 159), delegates directed the COP, in
coordination with the PFC, to “draft guidelines and training to enhance the mentoring and
supervision of speciﬁc ministry pastors” [emphasis added].
With the adoption of 2023 Resolution 6-03A (Proceedings, 133), delegates directed the PFC “to
develop and present a comprehensive, uniform, synodwide Speciﬁc Ministry Supervision Plan ”
[emphasis added].
Between the 2019 and 2023 conventions, Paciﬁc Southwest District president Rev. Dr. Michael
Gibson submitted (April 2021) a “Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor Supervision Plan” to the Council of
Presidents (COP). This plan was reviewed but never formally adopted by the COP . Using
components of Gibson’s 2021 Supervision Plan with appreciation and thankfulness, the PFC
proposes the following comprehensive plan that especially focuses on Period C supervision of SMP
pastors.

A COMPREHENSIVE, UNIFORM, SYNODWIDE SPECIFIC MINISTRY SUPERVISION PLAN
2026

Preface
The SMP program was adopted “as a sincere and thoughtful attempt to address real-world needs
with an urgency for bringing the Gospel to a dying world and to do so with theological integrity with
respect to both the doctrine of the ministry and our commitment to high standards of pastoral
11 | Page

education and formation.”6 While specific ministry pastors often bring maturity and relational skills
immediately into the ministry due to their years of life experience, they do not receive a course of
pastoral formation that includes the same theological depth, ecclesiastical breadth and
formational rigor as that of a residential Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or a Residential Alternate
Route (RAR) certificate. 2007 Resolution 5-01B recognized that an SMP pastor’s theological
education “is formed within the context of their specific ministry and does not represent the
breadth and depth of theology and ecclesiology.”7
Bylaw 1.2.1(u) defines supervision as such: “For the purpose of these Bylaws (other than those
pertaining to ecclesiastical supervision) to have authority over, to direct actions, to control
activities.” Period C supervision of an SMP pastor has elements of mentorship, such as providing
guidance, offering support and encouragement, and developing a brotherly relationship.
Regardless of pastors’ routes to ordination, these types of mentorship activities are naturally
characteristic of any healthy, long-term pastor-to-pastor relationship in the LCMS.
However, as intended in Bylaw 1.2.1(u), proper Period C SMP supervision, always exercised in
Christian brotherly love, includes the responsibility to instruct, set assignments and expectations,
and provide informed, constructive feedback, especially with respect to doctrine and practice. To
emphasize this solemn responsibility, Period C SMP supervision plan documents should by design
omit the words “mentor” (mentoring, mentorship, etc.) and make consistent use of the word
“supervise” (supervisor, supervising, supervision, etc.).
The Responsibility of the District President
In his role as ecclesiastical supervisor, the district president supervises “the doctrine, the life, and
the official administration on the part of the ordained and commissioned ministers who are
members through his district” (LCMS Bylaw 4.4.5).
However, as set forth in LCMS Bylaw 2.13.1, the specific ministry pastor serves not only under the
direct supervision of the district president (LCMS Bylaw 4.4.5), but also under the supervision of
another pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor.
The district president is accountable to the Synod in our life together (Bylaw 4.4) for the oversight
and implementation of the SMP program in his district. Therefore, upon a specific ministry pastor’s
completion of formal SMP studies and entry into Period C, the district president shall:
1. Identify and authorize a local SMP-supervising pastor to serve the specific ministry pastor.
The supervising pastor must be an LCMS-ordained, rostered general ministry pastor who is
in good standing in the LCMS. He may be an active pastor, retired pastor, or emeritus. The
supervising pastor shall not be a specific ministry pastor (LCMS Bylaw 2.13.1).
2. Meet in person with the specific ministry pastor and his SMP-supervising pastor within 30
days of the specific ministry pastor’s completion of formal SMP studies and entry into
Period C. The meeting shall include a review of the supervisory responsibilities of the

6 2007 Convention Proceedings, Resolution 5-01B, p. 133.
7 2007 Convention Proceedings, Resolution 5-01B, p. 135.
12 | Page

district president and the SMP-supervising pastor, the reception of such supervision by the
specific ministry pastor, and the SMP Annual Supervision Plan (Appendix B).
3. On an individual, one-on-one basis, meet annually with all district SMP-supervising pastors
to review annual SMP Annual Supervision Plans.
4. Immediately address any issues that arise concerning the specific ministry pastor, the
SMP-supervising pastor and/or the congregation/context of the specific ministry pastor.
5. Award the specific ministry pastor one continuing education credit (1 CEU) for every 10
hours he meets in person with his SMP-supervising pastor. A yearly maximum of 4 CEUs
may be awarded against the SMP Annual Supervision Plan per year.
6. Provide a written district SMP supervision report in the triennial district and Synod
convention workbooks.
The Responsibility of the SMP-Supervising Pastor
The SMP-supervising pastor plays a significant role in the continuing education, growth, and
refinement of pastoral skills of a specific ministry pastor over the course of his ministerial
service in Period C. Desired attributes of an SMP-supervising pastor include biblical and
confessional fidelity in doctrine and practice, personal and pastoral maturity, humility, integrity,
virtue, ability in one-on-one instruction, and peaceful harmony in life together in the Synod, as
described in the Constitution and Bylaws of the LCMS (Bylaw 1.3).
The SMP-supervising pastor may be the pastor who served as the SMP student-vicar’s or SMP
student-pastor’s supervisor in Periods A or B; however, the SMP-supervising pastor in Period C
must be a member of the same or neighboring circuit as the specific ministry pastor he supervises.
The specific ministry pastor may propose a particular SMP-supervising pastor for himself, but the
final decision and assignment of the SMP-supervising pastor in Period C shall always be authorized
by the district president.
The SMP-supervising pastor shall meet face to face with the specific ministry pastor for a minimum
of 40 hours annually. These 40 hours shall be devoted to the continuing education of the specific
ministry pastor, especially focusing on areas where the SMP-supervising pastor and SMP pastor
see opportunities for beneficial additional learning and improvement. The SMP-supervising pastor
and the specific ministry pastor will identify study topics and readings in advance of their face-to-
face meetings. Time spent together shall include a balance of the following:
1. Studying biblical texts (to include a Christocentric hermeneutic, Law and Gospel
distinctions and word studies that are applied to the specific ministry pastor’s preaching,
teaching, pastoral care, etc.);
2. Reading and discussing a section of the Lutheran Confessions (Book of Concord ) and
applying it to preaching, Bible classes, pastoral care, etc.;
3. Discussing theological books (reading no fewer than three LCMS doctrinally reviewed
theological books annually, for review during meeting times);
4. Reviewing four sermons written and preached by the specific ministry pastor over the
course of the year (discussing preparation, Christocentricity, Law/Gospel distinctions,
continuity, pastoral approach, strengths, areas to improve, delivery, etc.);

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5. Discussing pastoral care and leadership (visitation, applying God’s Word to parishioners’
life situations, weddings, funerals, parish catechesis, crisis situations, church
council/voters assembly meetings, elders and other boards, etc.); and
6. Discussing operational and cultural matters within the congregation (finance/budget,
volunteerism, constitution and bylaws, traditions, etc.).
All Synod pastors, regardless of route to ordination, are encouraged and expected to participate in
continuing education on a regular, annual basis. Nevertheless, continuing education experiences
outside the 40-plus hours of learning that occur between the SMP-supervising pastor and the
specific ministry pastor shall be in addition to the fulfillment of the SMP Annual Supervision Plan.
The SMP-supervising pastor shall also
1. Participate in the annual SMP-supervising pastors’ meeting with the district president to
report on fulfillment of the SMP Annual Supervision Plans.
2. Contact the district president if any issues arise concerning the specific ministry pastor
and/or the congregation/context of the specific ministry pastor.
3. Contact the district president in the event he can no longer fulfill his SMP-supervising
pastor responsibilities.
The Responsibility of the Specific Ministry Pastor
Regarding supervision, the responsibilities of the specific ministry pastor are to:
1. Meet with the district president upon completion of his formal SMP education and entry
into Period C and any time thereafter as requested by the district president;
2. Meet in person for a minimum of 40 hours per year with the SMP-supervising pastor in
fulfillment of the SMP Annual Supervision Plan;
3. Complete the readings and work assigned by the SMP-supervising pastor in preparation for
all in-person meetings;
4. Participate faithfully in circuit pastors’ meetings (Winkels) and district pastors’
conferences;
5. Submit a completed SMP Annual Supervision Plan to the district president at the
conclusion of each year detailing interactions between the SMP-supervising pastor and the
specific ministry pastor; and
6. Self-report the completion of the SMP Annual Supervision Plan on the continuing education
page of the Self-Information Tool (SET). Additionally, self-report 1 CEU for every 10 hours
that the specific ministry pastor meets in person with his SMP-supervising pastor. A yearly
maximum of 4 CEUs may be awarded against the SMP Annual Supervision Plan per year.

NEXT STEPS

1. Adopt edits on the “Partnership Covenant for Participation in the Specific Ministry Pastor
Program” (Appendix B).
14 | Page

2. Discontinue the use of “mentor” in SMP supervision materials and instead use the word
“supervisor/supervision” throughout Periods A, B, and C.
3. Collect from all entities (identified in items 4–6) suggested edits, additions, etc., concerning
the proposed SMP Annual Supervision Plan described above, to be received by the Pastoral
Formation Committee by December 1, 2026.
4. Update the COP Manual and all accompanying documents to reflect the use of the SMP
Annual Supervision Plan.
5. Update the CSL and CTSFW SMP manuals, webpage, resources, etc., to reflect use of the
SMP Annual Supervision Plan and the edited COP Manual.
6. Update all district resources, information, website, etc., to reflect use of the SMP Annual
Supervision Plan, edited COP Manual, and edited seminary resources.
15
APPENDIX A

SMP-Supervising Pastor Position Description
Prior to SMP Graduation and Certification (Periods A and B)

The SMP-supervising pastor shall be responsible to the seminary for tutoring, advising, encouraging, and
overseeing the work of a student in the SMP program.
1. The SMP-supervising pastor shall serve as the supervisor to the student both for his studies
in the SMP coursework and for the conduct of his ministry as an SMP vicar/pastor.
2. The SMP-supervising pastor shall provide periodic reports to the seminary.

Qualifications

1. Personal:
a. The SMP-supervising pastor shall possess pastoral and academic aptitude to tutor the student
and model biblical and confessional pastoral practice.
b. The SMP-supervising pastor shall demonstrate an interest and willingness in leading the
student to grow in confessional Lutheran pastoral theology and practice.
c. The SMP-supervising pastor shall be a rostered "Minister of Religion—Ordained" of the
LCMS, with an LCMS Master of Divinity degree.
d. The SMP-supervising pastor shall have at least five years of LCMS pastoral experience in good
standing.
e. The SMP-supervising pastor shall uphold the doctrinal position of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod as confessed in the Scriptures and all the symbolical books
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Book of Concord-quia subscription) (LCMS
Constitution Art. II).
f. The SMP-supervising pastor shall have the permission and support of his congregation to
serve in this capacity.
g. The SMP-supervising pastor shall agree to be trained for this role.
2. Time Commitments:
a. The SMP-supervising pastor shall expect and be willing to spend significant time in personal
conversation with the SMP vicar/pastor, tutoring him, discussing lessons learned, providing
pastoral guidance and observing SMP vicar/pastor’s vicarage and ministry.
b. The SMP-supervising pastor shall expect that a minimum of three to five hours per week
will be spent on supervising activities, to include not only in-person meetings (for a
minimum of 40 hours per year) but also personal preparation and virtual interaction.
c. The SMP-supervising pastor shall attend the in-person Seminary Orientation Seminar with his
student.
d. The SMP-supervising pastor is encouraged to join the student during on-campus intensives
at which the opportunity will be provided to spend time with the faculty and with fellow
SMP-supervising pastors.

3. Training:
The SMP-supervising pastor shall be required to complete an on-campus supervisor training course
conducted by the seminary, for which appropriate CEUs may be available.
4. Facilities and Equipment:
a. The SMP-supervising pastor shall furnish or arrange for the provision of all facilities and
equipment necessary to for meetings between himself and the student.
b. The seminary shall be responsible for updating the SMP-supervising pastor concerning
16
SMP-supervising pastor training and information concerning his role as SMP-supervising
pastor.

Selection
1. The president of the district from which the student is enrolled shall identify a local LCMS pastor to
serve as pastor-supervisor.
2. If the pastor is actively serving a congregation, the congregation shall provide a written and signed
statement of its support for this work to the district and the seminary.
3. The seminary shall review the assigned SMP-supervising pastor based upon the district
president's selection.
4. Should an SMP-supervising pastor behavior, theological position or lack of engagement
jeopardize the formation of the student, the district president in consultation with the seminary
shall assign a replacement.
5. When an SMP-supervising pastor accepts a call outside the circuit, the district president shall
identify a new SMP-supervising pastor in consultation with the seminary within 60 days.

Responsibilities
It shall be the responsibility of the SMP-supervising pastor to:
1. Guide the student in faith and life through frequent, intentional in -person instruction,
encouragement, support, and prayer.
2. Instruct and counsel the SMP vicar/pastor regarding pastoral practice.
3. Be familiar with the course materials and resources.
4. Offer in-person tutoring to the SMP vicar/pastor in situations where he is struggling as he pursues his
formal studies.
5. Accompany the SMP vicar/pastor as he participates in all circuit and district conferences, district
conventions, and events and discuss positive lessons from each .
6. Provide thoughtful feedback, as needed or requested, to the seminary and district including, but not
limited to:
a. Reports on vicarage progress as required and
b. Recommendation of the SMP vicar for certification or non-certification.
7. Offer support and encouragement to the SMP vicar/pastor to continue the program, remain
diligent about his studies, and subsequently consider pursuing General Pastor Certification or a
Master of Divinity degree or Residential Alternate Route certificate.
8. Provide counsel and support concerning the SMP vicar/pastor’s general state of physical and
emotional wellness, including the wellbeing of his marriage and family, if applicable.
9. Observe the SMP vicar/pastor in a variety of ministry situations, including preaching, leading
worship, Bible studies, hospital calls, outreach activities, etc., as described in the vicarage manual, and
provide pastoral instructional feedback to the SMP vicar/pastor.
10. If it becomes evident that the SMP vicar/pastor should not continue in the program, provide
honest counsel and support in coaching him out of the program.

Accountability
1. The SMP-supervising pastor shall be accountable to the SMP vicar/pastor as instructor, guide,
advisor and tutor.
2. The SMP-supervising pastor shall be accountable to the district president and to the seminary
regarding his role as the SMP vicar/pastor’s supervisor.

Compensation
1. The seminary will pay the SMP-supervising pastor an honorarium of $_____ for one SMP vicar/pastor,
per course.

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17
2. If the SMP-supervising pastor serves more than one SMP vicar/pastor, he will receive $_____ for each
additional student. The pastor-supervisor will not be reimbursed by the district or the seminary for any
expenses.

3. The SMP-supervising pastor’s status for tax purposes will be that of a self-employed person rather
than that of an employee, since the seminary does not have the authority to control the methods or
means by which any pastor- supervisor conducts his services.

Ordinarily, the SMP-supervising pastor will serve until the SMP vicar/pastor completes the program.

Following completion of the program, the president of the district in which the specific ministry
pastor is serving will designate a pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor to provide ongoing
supervision for the Specific Ministry vicar/pastor. The district president will be responsible for all
matters concerning the membership status and limitations of the SMP (2023 LCMS Bylaw
2.13.1).

________________________________ ________________
SMP-Supervising Pastor Date

________________________________ ________________
District President Date

________________________________ ________________

Seminary SMP Director Date

________________________________ ________________
SMP Vicar/Pastor Date

18
Partnership Covenant for Participation
in the
Specific Ministry Pastor Program
Participation in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program requires a relationship of trust among those
involved in this unique opportunity to prepare LCMS pastors for the holy ministry . A candidate for the
SMP program does not initiate the admission process himself, but rather is nominated and supported by
those who represent and are responsible for the specific ministry context into which the candidate will be
placed. This document articulates the covenant of trust and responsibility that exists among the seminary,
the district, the sponsoring entity, the SMP -supervising pastor, and the SMP vicar/pastor.

The seminary promises its support to the SMP vicar/pastor by

• Providing theological education through its program of studies;
• Providing orientation, support, and encouragement for the SMP-supervising pastor;
• Intentionally including SMP vicars/pastors in the corporate life of the seminary student
body through prayer, encouragement, and student services; and
• Working, with local and district supervision, to provide evaluation leading to certification as
a Specific Ministry Pastor.

The district of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, through its district president, promises

• To provide overall supervision of the progress of the candidate, including doctrinal
supervision, and to endeavor to support the candidate in every way possible ;
• To ensure that once the SMP candidate is ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor, the district
will monitor his continued progress in the program, and should a student refuse to complete
the study program for SMP certification, will remove that student from the roster of The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod;
• To ensure that once the Specific Ministry Pastor has completed his study program, he will
work in a situation which will provide supervision by an LCMS M.Div. pastor (non-SMP)
(Period C); and
• To be responsible to ensure that tuitions and fees are remitted to the seminary in a timely
manner.

The sponsoring entity (a calling agency of synod) promises

• To pray for the candidate and support him, his family, and his ministry spiritually and
emotionally as coworkers in God's Kingdom ;
• To develop and support a financial plan in which the costs of education and the support of the
student are met in a realistic way;
• To utilize the SMP vicar/pastor only as prescribed by the LCMS Constitution and Bylaw s;
Policy Requirements for the SMP Program; A Comprehensive, Uniform, Synodwide
Specific Ministry Supervision Plan; and Seminary SMP Handbook ; and
• To require that the SMP vicar/pastor complete the study program as administered by the
seminary; and
To encourage and support him in subsequent continuing education and reception of ongoing
supervision.

The SMP-supervising pastor promises to fulfill all responsibilities outlined in the document “SMP-
19
Supervising Pastor: Position Description. ”

The SMP vicar/pastor promises

• To apply himself diligently to his study program;
• To conduct himself in a way that is worthy of the office of the holy ministry of Christ's
church;
• To respect those in authority over him in his ministry, particularly his SMP-supervising pastor;
• To complete the SMP program in the specific ministry context into which he was called and
ordained;
• To agree that refusal to complete the SMP study program following call and ordination will
result in his removal from the roster of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod;
• To take ultimate responsibility for the financial obligations of the program; and
• To acknowledge and agree to serve gladly within the restrictions of SMP rostering, including
participation in and reception of ongoing supervision throughout his career as an SMP pastor.

In good faith, the undersigned agree to this covenant and will do everything within their power to uphold
it.

Date District President

Date Seminary Representative

_______________________________________
Date SMP-Supervising Pastor

Date Calling Entity Official Representative

Date Candidate for Specific Ministry Pastor

APPENDIX B
SMP Annual Supervision Plan for
the SMP-Supervising Pastor and Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor

Supervision Plan for __________, __________ to __________, __________
Month Ye a r Month Yea r

Name of Speciﬁc Ministry Pastor
__________________________________________

Name of SMP Supervisor__________________________________________________

Date and Length of meeting time
SMP supervis ing pastor and speciﬁc ministry pastor shall meet in person at least 40 hours per year.
Note: 1 continuing education unit is the equivalent of 10 hours actual class time .

Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________

Topics of Continuing Education discussed during this time together:
See “Responsibility of the SMP-Supervising Pastor”

Biblical text
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lutheran Confessions (Book of Concord )
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theological book discussion
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Review of a sermon written/delivered by the SMP
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pastoral care focus
________________________________________________________________________________________________

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21

________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Congregational matters
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Other__________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Comments:

District President Reporting

1. Years of completed SMP supervision: _______________
2. The speciﬁc ministry pastor has submitted this annual supervision plan to the district president at the
end of each year of completion.  Yes  No
3. The speciﬁc ministry pastor has submitted the completion of his annual 40-hour supervision plan to be
recorded on his Self-Evaluation Tool (SET)  Yes  No
4. The speciﬁc ministry pastor has reported his annual SMP supervision CEUs, granted by his district
president, on his SET  Yes  No

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CUS, in partnership with Set Apart to Serve, held its first ad-
missions summit at Concordia University Chicago in October. This
event was grant-funded and brought together representatives from
all the CUS schools and both seminaries. This event was highly
productive and demonstrated the importance of the CUS operating
more as a system rather than as a collection of independent univer-
sities in affiliation. Many great ideas and next steps emerged from
the summit, and we will follow up on them.
We continue to find ways to sponsor church events to gain rec-
ognition and build partnerships. CUS is now a sponsor of KFUO
Radio’s The Coffee Hour, the Higher Things summer youth con-
ferences, various district youth conferences, and the theological
symposia at both of our seminaries. These sponsorships provide us
with visibility among youth, pastors, and members of our beloved
Synod. This has been a very successful endeavor. We look forward
to the opportunities ahead in the coming triennium. We are working
with all the universities on the CUS exhibit area for the Synod con-
vention. Delegates and guests are invited to visit us.
CUS has held discussions and conducted district visits to ex-
plore micro-campus options for church worker preparation. This is
a district initiative through which we serve as a conduit for coop-
eration with the universities. We have worked with the Iowa East,
Mid-South, Southern, and Southeastern districts to investigate sites
and partnerships. This initiative is progressing well, and opportu-
nities are increasing. We are focusing specifically on the “desert”
areas of the country where we have no university campuses.
Representatives from CUS met with Luther Classical College
officials and the Wyoming district president to continue discussions
on a potential partnership and CUS membership. Currently, Luther
Classical College has articulation agreements with two of the five
Concordia universities, allowing graduates to complete their edu-
cation and certification at a CUS school. We are encouraging them
to sign agreements with all CUS schools. CUS staff have also met
with other independent educational start-ups to encourage adher -
ence to the Synod’s biblical and confessional standards and engage-
ment with the Synod’s existing system of universities and seminar-
ies for the education of our rostered church workers.
Since the 2023 restructuring, renewed collaboration and part-
nerships between CUS and the university presidents have emerged.
Our presence on campus, through visits and participation in
meetings and events, has produced significant results in relation -
ship-building and the growth of trust. The new visitation process
is fully implemented, and we are already seeing positive results.
A. Convention Actions
A.1. Res. 7-03, “To Call Concordia University
Texas Leadership to Repentance”
The CUS Board of Directors sent a letter to President Donald
Christian on September 19, 2024, reiterating Resolution 7-03 and
calling on Concordia University Texas “to reverse course and undo
the damage it has done to itself and the countless faithful individ -
uals and congregations that founded, prayed for, attended, and
selflessly supported the school over these many years” and to “be
reconciled to the church that mothered, nurtured and sustained you
for so many years.” No response was received.
CUS President Jamison Hardy has met with Texas District Pres-
ident Jon Braunersreuther to discuss the matter and seek ways to
diffuse the situation.

R13.5 Policy Requirements for the Specific Ministry Pastor Program (Pastoral Formation Committee, 2023 Res. 6-03A) R 13.6 Report on the Development of a Comprehensive, Uniform, Synodwide Specific Ministry Supervision Plan (Pastoral Formation Committee, 2023 Res. 6-03A)

Official Workbook report source text

Pause and Pray at 3:07 p.m.