Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 426

Ov. 6-43 
To Reaffirm Residential Seminary Formation  
as Preferred Route for Pastoral Preparation 
WHEREAS, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia 
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, exist for the purpose of forming 
pastors through comprehensive residential education, communal 
life, faculty mentorship, and supervised pastoral formation; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has affirmed residential seminary 
formation as the most complete means of preparing men for the 
general responsibilities of the pastoral office; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized residential 
formation as the normative path for preparation for the pastoral 
office, with alternative routes serving defined and limited purposes; 
and 
W
HEREAS, Holy Scripture emphasizes careful preparation for the 
ministry of Word and Sacrament (Acts 6:4; Titus 1:9); and 
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions affirm the church’s 
responsibility to maintain good order in doctrine and practice 
through faithful oversight of the pastoral office (FC SD X); 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm residential seminary 
formation as the preferred and normative route for preparing men 
for the pastoral office; and be it further 
Resolved, That district presidents, circuits, and congregations be 
encouraged to recommend and support qualified men for residential 
seminary study, including vocational encouragement and financial 
assistance; and be it further 
Resolved, That the seminaries be encouraged to continue 
addressing concerns regarding the accessibility and feasibility of 
residential formation; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod pray for an increase in vocations to the 
pastoral office, trusting the Lord of the Church to provide faithful 
shepherds. 
Trinity (Decatur Rd) 
Fort Wayne, IN 
Ov. 6-44 
To Reaffirm Residential Seminary Formation  
as Preferred Route for Pastoral Preparation 
WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church confesses the Holy 
Scriptures as the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule 
of faith and practice (Const. Art. II 1); and 
W
HEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church accepts the 
Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord as true expositions of 
Holy Scripture and as correct exhibitions of the church’s doctrine 
(Const. Art. II 2); and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod requires pastors to vow before God and 
their congregations to preach, teach, and conduct their ministries in 
faithful conformity to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran 
Confessions (Lutheran Service Book Agenda, 166); and 
WHEREAS, Faithful pastoral ministry requires not merely an 
acquaintance with the biblical text through secondary sources, but 
the ability to read, translate, and interpret Holy Scripture for 
preaching, teaching, catechesis, and pastoral care; and 
WHEREAS, Faithful pastoral ministry requires not merely a 
familiarity with the Lutheran Confessions, but sustained 
commitment to them as the theological framework within which 
pastors carry out their duties (2016 Res. 6-02); and 
WHEREAS, The unity of the Synod is better cultivated when 
future pastors are formed in a residential setting that enables them 
to live out the liturgical life of the church and experience an 
extended time of “mutual conversation and consolation of the 
brethren” (SA III IV) that will prepare them to conduct ministry 
within the shared doctrinal framework of the Lutheran Confessions 
(2023 Special Presentations, “ The Biblical and Reformation 
Heritage of LCMS Pastoral Formation ,” Lawrence R. Rast, Jr., 
Proceedings, 107–9; “Our Residential Seminaries: Deep Pastoral 
Formation and Worldwide Impact,” Thomas J. Egger, Proceedings, 
109–11); and 
WHEREAS, Concordia Theological Seminary and Concordia 
Seminary have each been forming pastors committed to both the 
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions through comprehensive 
residential education, communal life, faculty mentorship, and 
supervised pastoral formation for over 175 years (2019 Res. 6-06; 
2013 Res. 5-16); therefore be it 
Resolved
, That the Synod reaffirm residential seminary 
formation as the preferred route for preparing men for the pastoral 
office (cf. 2016 Res. 6-03; 2019 Res. 6-02; 2023 Res. 6-02A; 2023 
Res. 6-03A); and be it further 
Resolved, That district presidents, circuits, and congregations be 
encouraged to recommend and support qualified men for residential 
seminary study, including vocational encouragement and financial 
assistance (2023 Res. 6-02A); and be it further 
Resolved, That the seminaries continue addressing concerns 
regarding accessibility and feasibility of residential formation; and 
be it finally 
Resolved
, That the Synod pray for an increase in candidates for 
the pastoral office, trusting the Lord of the Church to provide 
faithful shepherds (Luke 10:2). 
Faculty 
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne 
Ov. 6-45 
To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1  
to Regularize Non-residential Routes  
under Specific Ministry Pastor Classification 
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions state “… that nobody 
should preach publicly in the church or administer the sacraments 
unless he is regularly called” (A C XIV, Tappert, Latin ) and that 
ordination is an essential component of a regular, ordered call ( Tr 
67; 69–71); and 
WHEREAS, Membership status and limitations noted in Bylaw 
2.13 apply requirements and limitations on specific ministry pastors 
that include: 
• eligibility to serve only in a specific ministry context; 
• remaining under supervision by a general pastor; 
• ineligibility for call outside of the context of his call; 
• ineligibility to serve as a voting delegate to the national 
convention; 
• ineligibility to be elected or appointed to any office at the 
district and Synod level assigned to a pastor  or ordained 
minister; 
2026 Convention Workbook
391PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES