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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 418

WHEREAS, “Seminaries will implement new routes to ordination 
only upon approval by resolution of the Synod” (Bylaw 3.10.4.2), 
yet a change in delivery mode for an existing Master of Divinity 
(M.Div.) is not a “new route,” and formation quality remains the 
standard; and 
W
HEREAS, Synod Bylaws have provided for preparation that 
“involv[es] extensive use of distance learning and/or a mentoring 
system,” while still requiring faculty certification and regular 
processes for first -call eligibility (2023 Bylaw 2.7.3, prior to non-
substantive consolidation by the Commission on Handbook, Aug. 
5, 2024); and 
W
HEREAS, Vicarage is required for all seminary students and 
“every vicar shall be assigned by the Council of Presidents, acting 
as the Board of Assignments” (Bylaw 3.10.5.7.10 [h][1–2]), 
ensuring district oversight; and 
W
HEREAS, Candidates must be declared qualified, receive and 
accept a call through assignment by the Board of Assignments, and 
proceed to ordination under district supervision; these standards are 
unchanged by this proposal (Bylaws 2.9.1; 2.10.2–2.10.4); and 
WHEREAS, Augsburg Confession Article XIV teaches “that no 
one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the 
Sacraments unless he be regularly called,” a norm this pilot fully 
preserves; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has affirmed residential seminary 
education as the preferred option while encouraging proper pastoral 
formation through our seminaries (2019 Res. 6-02, “To Promote 
Residential Seminary Education as the Preferred Option for the 
Preparation of Me n for Pastoral Ministry,” Proceedings, 158–59; 
2023 Res. 6-02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation 
through Our Synod’s Seminaries,” Proc., 160–61); and 
WHEREAS, The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) 2020 
Standards permit comprehensive distance education and have no 
residency requirements for any degree except the Ph.D., contingent 
on approvals and quality with regular and substantive interaction 
(ats.edu/Standards-Of-Accreditation); and 
W
HEREAS, Both Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) and 
Concordia Seminary (CSL) possess the governance, faculty 
oversight, admissions, curricular, assessment, and student -care 
policies required to administer such a pilot under Synod Bylaws and 
ATS accreditation; and 
WHEREAS, Congregations and circuit forums may submit 
overtures to the Synod in convention following the Secretary’s 
instructions (Bylaw 3.1.6.2); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage CTSFW and CSL to design 
and implement a joint or parallel non-residential M.Div. pilot within 
the next three years, consistent with all applicable Synod Bylaws 
and resolutions and ATS accreditation standards; and be it further 
Resolved, That admissions criteria and the initial cohort size(s) 
be set by each seminary under existing policies, with attention to 
academic readiness and pastoral aptitude; and be it further 
Resolved, That field education and vicarage be conducted 
through supervised local placements under district oversight, with 
supervising pastors approved by the district president or his 
designee, faculty -defined outcomes, documented competencies, 
and mid-term/final evaluations, and that vicarages be assigned by 
the Council of Presidents (COP) as required; and be it further 
Resolved, That CTSFW and CSL define and publish program 
governance, curriculum delivery, assessment (including proctored 
and authentic evaluations), worship, and devotional formation in an 
online environment, technology requirements, student support and 
duty-of-care, and safeguarding policies appropriate to online 
pastoral formation; and be it further 
Resolved, That CTSFW and CSL secure all necessary ATS 
approvals for comprehensive distance education and any state or 
federal authorizations, maintaining program quality consistent with 
ATS Standards and “regular and substantive interaction” (The 
Commission on Acc rediting, 2020 Standards of Accreditation , 
[2020], 3, ats.edu/Standards-Of-Accreditation); and be it further 
Resolved, That this pilot changes only instructional delivery and 
does not alter ordination standards, vicarage requirements, or first -
call qualification processes; and be it further 
Resolved, That the seminaries, in consultation with the Office of 
Pastoral Education and the COP, develop a practical plan for 
marketing, applicant screening, local site identification, 
supervising-pastor training, vicarage workflow, and the first 
enrollment cycle; and be it further 
Resolved, That CTSFW and CSL identify internal and external 
funding sources as needed and report any funding needs to the 
appropriate Synod boards or commissions without specifying dollar 
amounts; and be it further 
Resolved, That CTSFW and CSL report annually to the PFC, to 
the two boards of regents in joint session, and to the next Synod 
convention on approvals secured, enrollments, retention and 
completion, learning -outcome attainment, vicarage evaluations, 
first-call placement, student-support metrics, technology reliability, 
and budget impact, together with recommendations; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the pilot sunset after placement of the first full 
graduating cohort unless: 
(a) renewed by the respective boards of regents based on 
meeting the following metrics:   
(1) each seminary’s board and faculty govern the pilot,  
(2) ATS approval is secured, and 
(3) Standard operating procedures are aligned to Synod 
Bylaws and ATS policies; 
 and 
(b) reported for information to the Synod convention;  
and be it finally 
Resolved
, That this overture be commended for use by any 
congregation or circuit wishing to encourage this pilot. 
Circuit 16 (Faribault) 
Minnesota South District 
Ov. 6-32 
To Encourage Pilot Hybrid  
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
383PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES