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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 405

eligible for colloquy under the CCPM’s published policies may 
make application to the committee, while “the LCMS laymen and 
commissioned ministers who complete a program of study leading 
to ordination or its equivalent at a non- LCMS seminary are not 
eligible for colloquy on that basis,” and that men not meeting those 
eligibility requirements shall be directed to the seminaries for 
consideration in other programs (Bylaws 2.5.2; 3.10.2.3–3.10.2.5); 
and 
W
HEREAS, Congregations shall call and be served only by those 
who have been admitted to ministry according to the Bylaws of the 
Synod (Bylaw sections 2.6–2.8, 2.10; Bylaw 3.10.2.3) , candidates 
qualified for first call, or ministers from church bodies in fellowship 
when agreements are in place; and 
W
HEREAS, The current colloquy process for admission to the 
pastoral ministry in the Synod lacks clear and consistent articulation 
of the specific metrics, objectives, and expectations required for 
approval by the CC PM, thereby creating uncertainty and 
inconsistency for applicants and congregations seeking to evaluate 
readiness for service; and 
WHEREAS, Transparency and clarity in published policies, 
criteria, interview standards, and benchmarks foster trust, 
strengthen mission partnership, and help congregations walk in 
good order; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the CCPM, in 
consultation with the President of the Synod and its seminaries, to 
publish and maintain on the Synod’s website a concise, plain 
language summary of pastoral colloquy eligibility categories, 
required documentation, interview standards, and theological  
benchmarks, with cross references to Bylaws 3.10.2.2 –3.10.2.5 
together with a simple process flow and typical timeline; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod in c onvention request the Council of 
Presidents to provide an annual summary to the congregations and 
rostered workers of  the Synod regarding pastoral colloquy 
procedures, application volume, certification numbers, and any 
policy updates, by means of regular Synod communications and 
pre-convention publications; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in c onvention encourage district 
presidents, congregations, and rostered workers to support men 
pursuing colloquy by offering mentorship, theological guidance, 
and appropriate congregational endorsement in harmony with the 
Handbook provisions cited above; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in c onvention give thanks to God for 
the men He is raising up to preach Christ crucified and risen, and 
pray for renewed zeal to identify, encourage, and form such men for 
service in Christ’s Church. 
Circuit 9 
Texas District 
Ov. 6-14 
To Affirm Exclusive Seminary Path  
and In-Person Formation for Pastoral Ministry 
WHEREAS, The Lord calls His c hurch to faithfulness in doctrine 
and practice (John 8:31; Acts 2:42); and 
WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that pastoral ministry involves close 
mentoring and modeling of life and doctrine (2 Tim . 2:2; 1 Tim . 
4:12–16); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod  Constitution and B ylaws reserve for 
seminaries approved and sanctioned by convention, currently 
Concordia Theological Seminary ( CTSFW) and Concordia 
Seminary ( CSL), collectively, “seminaries ,” the responsibility to 
educate, form, and train pastors for the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The unity of faith and confession is best preserved 
through agreed-upon structures and processes, including residential 
Master of Divinity programs at Synod seminaries; and 
W
HEREAS, In -person, face-to -face formation fosters 
accountability, spiritual growth, and communal life essential to 
pastoral preparation (Heb. 10:24–25); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that the Synod-
sanctioned residential seminaries —currently, CTSFW and CSL—
are the exclusive path for pastoral education, formation, and 
training in the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That congregations and rostered workers actively 
recruit, encourage, and support men to pursue pastoral ministry 
through these seminaries; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that in-person, 
face-to-face education and formation is essential to the process of 
preparing men for the pastoral office; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod commend the residential model of 
pastoral formation as the standard for theological education in the 
Synod. 
Good Shepherd, Lincoln, NE; Memorial, Houston, TX 
Ov. 6-15 
To Reaffirm the Synod’s Routes to Ministry 
WHEREAS, 2023 Resolution 6 -02A, “To Encourage Proper 
Pastoral Formation through Our Synod’s Seminaries,” resolved, 
“that districts and members of the Synod honor, use, and promote 
Synod-approved programs and not create independent programs of 
pastoral preparation or direct men to pastoral preparation programs 
outside of our Synod’s seminaries as such efforts are not in accord 
with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod (Const. Art. III 3; 
Bylaw 3.10.4)” (Proceedings, 161); and 
WHEREAS, Members of the Synod have created independent 
programs of pastoral education such as T he Center for Missional 
and Pastoral Leadership Formation (thecenter.info/cmpl/, accessed 
Jan. 22, 2026); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the routes to the Office of the 
Holy Ministry created by the Synod are the only routes to ordination 
and service as ordained ministers of the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That the ecclesiastical supervisors of those members 
who are engaging in independent programs of pastoral education be 
directed to evangelically correct them, stressing that their work is 
not in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod; and 
be it finally 
Resolved
, That such members unwilling to cease their 
engagement of independent programs of pastoral education be 
removed from the roster of the Synod. 
Circuit 3 
Southern Illinois District 
2026 Convention Workbook
370 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES