Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 416

Resolved, That we commend one another to the Lord of the 
Church and seek to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of 
peace” (Eph. 4:3), so that our life together may bear a clear 
confession of Christ to the world. 
Circuit 9 
Texas District 
Ov. 6-28 
To Discuss Online Theological Education 
WHEREAS, The Synod has a rich tradition of rigorous theological 
education and formation, for pastors and laity; and 
WHEREAS, The primary focus of this theological education has 
historically been placed on the formation of future pastors at one of 
our residential seminaries; and 
W
HEREAS, The development of new digital technologies has 
created resources for furthering theological study in non-residential 
educational contexts; and 
WHEREAS, The Specific Ministry Pastor program has served a 
specific constituency of the Synod with online theological 
education, yet other online sources have arisen in recent years both 
inside the Synod and outside of the Synod to fill this gap in 
theological education; and 
WHEREAS, Increasing demand exists for theological education 
among many sectors of the Synod, including theologically 
interested laity, lay leaders serving in their local congregations, pre-
seminary candidates, pastors seeking continuing education, among 
others; and 
W
HEREAS, The theological faculties of our seminaries and 
universities have much theological wisdom to offer congregations, 
church workers, and future church workers of the Synod; therefore 
be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention restate its commitment 
to residential pastoral formation as the primary and most beneficial 
means for the raising up of clergy and future theological leaders of 
our church body; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention also acknowledge the 
opportunities that exist to promote theological education using 
online resources by employing the theological and pedagogical 
excellence of our seminary and university faculties; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commit itself to 
discussion of how online theological education might best serve the 
interests and needs of the congregations, church workers, and future 
church workers of the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Office of the President of the Synod establish 
a task force on online theological education in the next triennium, 
to include representatives from our seminaries, Concordia 
University System theology faculties, Office of Pastoral Education, 
Pastoral Formation Committee, and Council of Presidents, among 
others deemed suitable for this discussion; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the task force report to the 2029 convention with 
specific recommendations for promoting online theological 
education in a way that supports and complements our residential 
seminaries, yet also meets the needs of our church body, such as lay 
theological education, lay congregational service, pre-seminary 
coursework, and continuing theological education for pastors and 
other church workers. 
Christ, La Mesa, CA; Circuit 9 (Decatur), Indiana District 
Ov. 6-29 
To Encourage Synod Seminaries to Develop  
Online Master of Divinity Program 
WHEREAS, The Synod has long recognized the importance of 
rigorous theological education and faithful pastoral formation 
through its two seminaries, Concordia Seminary (CSL) and 
Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW); and 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture affirms the necessity of equipping 
faithful shepherds for the Church, as St. Paul writes, “And he gave 
… pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 
for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11 –12, author 
translation), and further exhorts that a pastor “must hold firm to the 
trustworthy word as taught” (Titus 1:9); and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod faces ongoing challenges in recruiting and 
preparing men for pastoral ministry, particularly in rural, 
underserved, and bi-vocational contexts; and 
WHEREAS, Advances in digital learning platforms and 
theological pedagogy now make it possible to deliver high-quality, 
confessional instruction in online formats without compromising 
academic integrity or ecclesial accountability; and 
WHEREAS, The academic landscape has seen accelerated use of 
remote learning across educational institutions, including the Synod 
seminaries, demonstrating both feasibility and demand for flexible 
theological education; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has resolved, in 2023 Res. 1- 08A, “To 
Promote and Commend the Synod’s Digital and Online Resources” 
and, in 2023 Res. 6-02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation 
through Our Synod’s Seminaries,” to discourage independent 
pastoral formation programs not authorized by the Synod; therefore 
be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage CSL and 
CTSFW, in consultation with the Synod’s Pastoral Formation 
Committee, to explore and develop an affordable, accredited, online 
Master of Divinity program that maintains the theological depth, 
pastoral formati on, and confessional integrity required for 
ordination in the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That such a program include robust mentorship, field 
education, and residential intensives as needed to ensure spiritual 
formation and ecclesial connection; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the seminaries report progress on this initiative to 
the next Synod convention, including feasibility, timeline, and 
anticipated impact on pastoral recruitment and formation. 
Circuit 29 
Texas District 
Ov. 6-30 
To Encourage Pilot Online-Only  
Master of Divinity with Synod Seminaries 
WHEREAS, the Synod’s objectives include “recruit[ing] and 
train[ing] pastors … and provid[ing ] opportunity for their 
continuing growth” (Const. Art. III 3), and the Pastoral Formation 
Committee (PFC) is charged “with ensuring that the Synod’s 
objective of training pastors is fulfilled consistently,” with 
seminaries governed by boards of regents (Bylaws 3.10.4, 3.10.5); 
and 
2026 Convention Workbook
381PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES