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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 414

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/smp-
policy-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 -to-
face 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
379PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES