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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 400

that forms pastors who confess, teach, and practice theology in full 
accord with them; and 
WHEREAS, The unity of the Church is preserved when pastors are 
formed to interpret Scripture and conduct ministry within the shared 
doctrinal framework of the Confessions; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed quia 
subscription to the Lutheran Confessions as foundational to pastoral 
formation and ecclesial trust; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm and encourage the seminaries 
of the Synod  to maintain and deepen comprehensive, integrated 
instruction in the Book of Concord throughout the curriculum; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That confessional formation not be treated as a 
discrete academic subject alone, but as a hermeneutical and 
theological framework shaping all pastoral instruction; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the seminaries be encouraged to form pastors 
whose preaching, teaching , and practice flow from a robust quia 
commitment to the Lutheran Confessions and to ensure that all 
pastors certified for ordination demonstrate knowledge of and glad 
reception of the Lutheran Confessions; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the Lutheran 
Confessions and pray for pastors who confess them faithfully in 
doctrine and life. 
Board of Regents 
Concordia Seminary 
Ov. 6-07 
To Uphold Deep and Broad Study  
of Book of Concord in Synod Seminaries 
WHEREAS, The Book of Concord  sets forth the Lutheran 
Confessions as faithful expositions of Holy Scripture and provides 
doctrinal clarity and unity for the Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, Seminary formation integrates confessional study to 
prepare pastors who subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions without 
reservation; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed the Lutheran 
Confessions as the doctrinal basis for theology and practice within 
the Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, The Formula of Concord identifies the Lutheran 
Confessions as the Church’s binding doctrinal standard ( FC Ep, 
Summary Content); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its commitment to deep and 
broad study of the Book of Concord in its seminaries; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the faculty of the Synod’s seminaries continue to 
integrate confessional theology throughout the curriculum; and be 
it further 
Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to 
support confessional education within the Synod; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the confessional 
heritage entrusted to His Church. 
Good Shepherd 
Lincoln, NE 
Ov. 6-08 
To Require Theological Competency Standards  
for Eligibility to Exercise Ecclesiastical Oversight 
De Iure Humano 
Rationale 
One of the historic strengths of The Lutheran Church— Missouri 
Synod (LCMS) has been its theologically competent clergy. From 
the earliest days of its history the Synod has developed and utilized 
a variety of avenues for the preparation of its pastors, each with a 
focus upon theological competency in providin g pastoral care to 
God’s people. From the log cabin seminary in Perry County to the 
establishment of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, from the early 
work of Wyneken and Loehe to Concordia Springfield and  
Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, theological 
competency has been a hallmark of our work together. (For more 
on this see the white paper, “An Ordained LCMS Pastor for Every 
Synod Congregation: Nine Recommendations for Forming and 
Providing Pas tors in the LCMS,” posted May 2, 2024, 
nowlcms.org/resources/pastoral-formation-paper/; John C. 
Wohlrabe Jr., “The Role of the Seminaries in the LCMS, 1847 –
2001,” Concordia Theological Quarterly  85, nos. 3– 4 [July/Oct. 
2021]: 215– 39, ctsfwmedia.s3.us-east-
1.amazonaws.com/CTQ/CTQ%2085.3-4.pdf.) 
One of the challenges before the Synod over the past few decades 
has been to meet the need of identifying, training, forming, and 
certifying enough men for the pastoral office in order to serve the 
congregations of the Synod. This has required a continuation of our 
historical pastoral formation legacy coupled with creative 
development of newer routes and programs. Recent studies have 
demonstrated that this need has become acute (see James A. 
Baneck, “A White Paper on the Current Context of Pastoral 
Formation,” LCMS Pastoral Education, May 12, 2020, 
files.lcms.org/file/preview/0EjuRAbQuTtWmQiglpaMvaazkDv7L5
ng). 
In order to meet the demand for ministers of religion— ordained the 
Synod has considered a number of routes to the pastoral office. 
Currently the Synod has at least seven programmatic routes for 
pastoral formation. These are: 
• Residential Master of Divinity (M.Div.) 
• Residential Alternate Route (RAR) 
• Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) 
• Specific Ministry Pastor to General Pastor Certification 
(GPC) 
• Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) 
• Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) 
• Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) 
Of these many routes, some are certificated programs and some 
award graduate degrees. They can result in differing rostered status 
with differing opportunities for service. All are committed to the 
formation of certified men for the pastoral office. 
While all varied routes yield competent and certified men to serve 
in the pastoral office, the theological depth of formation varies from 
program to program. This overture is concerned with developing a 
mechanism or standard by which those ordained pastors called upon 
to supervise other ministers of religion—o rdained will possess and 
demonstrate higher levels of theological acumen. Such offices of 
2026 Convention Workbook
365PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES