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Resolved, That Synod congregations and rostered workers pray with heartfelt fervor and regularity to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest (Matt. 9:38); and be it further

Resolved, That Synod congregations and rostered workers turn with renewed vigor to the recruitment of able and apt men for the pastorate of the Synod (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) and encourage and support them in completing the residential M.Div. program at CTSFW or CSL; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod congregations and their members generously support the work of CTSFW and CSL in providing a theologically rich, residential M.Div. program for the education, formation, and training of future pastors of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That no man be encouraged by pastors or congregations in the Synod to seek theological education, formation, and training for the pastoral office except at CTSFW or CSL; and be it further

Resolved, That the district presidents with ecclesiastical oversight over the congregations and rostered workers advocating for, recruiting for, and teaching in LHOS and the CMPL, and using their graduates in church work offices admonish those congregations and rostered workers for placing at risk their own and the Synod’s faithfulness in the things of God; for breaking love by intentionally working against the Synod’s objective to recruit and train pastors and the agreed-upon means of achieving that objective, which harms love by militating against doing all things decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40); and for inviting false doctrine from and ecclesial association with heterodox church bodies, which militates against the Lord’s will that the church be kept in unity of faith and confession (Rom. 16:17); and be it further

Resolved, That unless the congregations and rostered workers advocating for, recruiting for, teaching in, and receiving church workers from LHOS and CMPL heed the admonition of the district president under whose ecclesiastical supervision they stand, such rostered workers be placed on restricted status (Bylaw 2.13.2) as having violated the conditions of membership (Const. Art. VI); and be it further

Resolved, That district presidents follow to their end the processes surrounding restricted status; and be it finally

Resolved, That if the district presidents fail to fulfill their duty to the Bylaws on behalf of the Synod toward those who persist in advocating for, recruiting for, teaching in, and employing as church workers graduates from LHOS and the CMPL, the President of Synod exercise his duty under Const. Art. XIII and Bylaw section 2.15.

Pastors’ Conference Indiana District

Ov. 6-25

To Seek Koinonia on Pastoral Formation and Routes to Ministry

WHEREAS, Jesus instructs us that the “harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2 NIV); and

WHEREAS, The issue of pastoral formation has received much attention in both official and unofficial forums over the last decade;

and

WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized the need for collegial debate, collaborative decision -making, and consensus building, enshrining “the example of the apostolic church”, “Acts 15:1–31,” in the Constitution Preamble; and

WHEREAS, The witness of Scripture and the E arly Christian Church was that “after there had been much debate” (Acts 15:7) on the controverted matter regarding the circumcision of Gentile converts a decision was made; and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach us to love one another and seek unity (1 Peter 1:3–8; Col. 3:12–14; Eph. 4:3); and

WHEREAS, The November 2025 report of the three -person Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) “Policy Requirements for the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program” (files.lcms.org/dl/f/smppolicy-requirements) has generated even more controversy, both for those who seek greater flexibility and those desiring greater limitation; and

WHEREAS, Concern has been generated by the development of non-Synod approved training programs by members of the Synod;

and

WHEREAS, A variety of gatherings have sought to discuss the issue of pastoral formation outside a structured K oinonia process, leading to much conversation but little “mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren” (SA III IV); and

WHEREAS, A review of Synod resolutions shows a rich history and adaptive practice concerning pastoral formation and routes to ministry; and

WHEREAS, The Koinonia Project provides members of the Synod with a means through which we pray God will give greater harmony in our Synod’s “Life Together” by showing where there is agreement and disagreement, and identifying how we as a church can move toward greater unity in teaching and practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the spirit of koinonia (fraternal conversation) throughout all the members and entities of the Synod concerning pastoral formation and routes to ministry; and be it further

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP), the office of the President (OTP), and the PFC establish a process as described in Acts 15 of not less than two years that allows for much fraternal discussion and edification with respect to pastoral formation and routes to ministry, including residential and contextual methodologies; and be it further

Resolved, That the PFC, in cooperation with the COP and the OTP, utilizing past resolutions , reports, and current best practices in educational methodologies and outcomes , produce a joint document to be presented to facilitate a broad -based koinonia in a manner that allows for appropriate theological reflection, study, and feedback for implementation; and be it further

Resolved, That this process and document would also facilitate a rich discussion on the policy requirements for the SMP program in light of and in conjunction with an ongoing participation in the general ministry certification; and be it further

Resolved, That this process would preferably involve face -toface discussions within circuits and districts between leaders, including laymen, that reflect the divergent and diverse positions with the process and the participants to be determined by consensus of the COP, OTP, and PFC; and be it finally 2026 Convention Workbook

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