Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 429

Pastor (SMP) program, lead to full pastoral certification without 
restrictions upon completion (Bylaws 2.7.2–3; 2.8.1); and 
WHEREAS, While candidates in the residential Master of Divinity 
program are required to complete only a single academic year of 
supervised internship (vicarage) as part of their preparation for 
ordination (Bylaw 2.8.1 [d]), specific ministry pastors complete a 
minimum of four years of supervised pastoral formation during 
their program and then continue to gain extensive pastoral 
experience through years of actual congregational ministry under 
supervision; and 
W
HEREAS, Many specific ministry pastors demonstrate through 
years of faithful service the theological competence, pastoral gifts, 
and ministerial fitness necessary for broader pastoral ministry; and 
W
HEREAS, A probationary period of substantial length would 
allow for proper evaluation of a specific ministry pastor’s readiness 
for full pastoral certification while maintaining appropriate 
standards for the pastoral office; therefore be it 
Resolved, That a pathway for specific ministry pastors to receive 
full pastoral certification after a probationary period be established; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.13.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Specific Ministry Pastor Status and Limitations 
2.13.1 A “specific ministry pastor” is a minister of religion —
ordained who has completed the requirements for service as a 
specific ministry pastor and has been examined by one of the 
Synod’s seminaries, has received a regular call, and has been placed 
by the Council of Presidents into a specific Word and Sacrament 
ministry context. He is eligible to serve only in that specific ministry 
context for which he has been trained and may not be offered or 
accept a call for ministry for which he has not been certi fied as 
determined by his district president. He shall serve under the 
supervision of his district president and another pastor who is not a 
specific ministry pastor. 
… 
(d) After ten years of faithful service as a specific ministry pastor 
in good standing, upon approval of the congregation he serves 
and his district president, a specific ministry pastor may be 
certified for general pastoral ministry without completing 
additional coursework, provided he has demonstrated theological 
competence, pastoral fitness, and ministerial capability 
throughout his service. Upon such certification, he shall no longer 
be considered a specific ministry pastor and shall be eligible for 
all pastoral roles and responsibilities. 
and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook be directed to 
update any other bylaws as necessary to support and implement this 
pathway for specific ministry pastors to receive full pastoral 
certification. 
Board of Directors 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 6-49 
To Require Completion of Academic Requirements 
prior to Specific Ministry Pastor Ordination 
WHEREAS, Synod, at its 2001 convention passed Resolution 3-
08B, “To Address Needs and Opportunities for Pastoral Ministry in 
Specialized Situations” (2001 Proceedings, 138–39); and 
WHEREAS, 2001 Res. 3-08B provided for Licensed Lay Deacons 
to continue to be trained under supervision  as approved by 1989 
Resolution 3-05B (ibid., 139); and 
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 13-02A, “To Regularize Status of Licensed 
Lay Deacon s Involved in Word and Sacrament Ministry” (2016 
Proceedings, 236 –38) regularized ministries toward ordination 
consistent with the Book of Concord (AC XIV, Ap XIV); and 
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 13-02A provided several options toward 
ordination of existing Licensed Lay Deacons, including regional 
Specialized Ministry Pastor (S MP) c olloquy, SMP program , and 
alternate route program; and 
WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5- 01B “To Establish Specific Ministry 
Pastor Program” (2007 Proceedings, 133–38) provided for SMP 
candidates to receive “preordination curriculum, and post -
ordination curriculum” (ibid., 134) and to be ordained: “Ordination 
vows may be taken prior to the conclusion of a complete course of 
study provided that the ordained has received a preparation 
sufficient to preach and teach the Gospel rightly, administer the 
Sacraments correctly, and take his vows with integrity.” (ibid.); and 
WHEREAS, 2007 Res. 5-01B reads in part: 
… 
Step 2: Preordination Curriculum 
Upon entrance into the Specific Ministry Pastor Program, the 
student will be assigned as a vicar in a specific locality but 
normally will not be authorized to administer the Sacraments. He 
will preach sermons prepared in collaboration with and approved 
by his supervisor. At this point, he will participate in courses and 
seminars comparable to those offered to residential seminary 
students designed to prepare him in the following areas: 
• Catechism, hermeneutical principles, God and Christ, 
work of Christ, the Sacraments, worship, the Book of 
Concord, and preaching 
• Possible residential seminars: intro to pastoral 
formation; issues in pastoral ministry 
• Possible field seminars: basic mission planter training, 
etc. 
Step 3: Certification/Call/Ordination 
After demonstrating competence in the preordination areas, the 
student must apply for an examination hearing by the seminary 
in order to be certified for call and ordination. Each student will 
be evaluated on a case-by- case basis. The examination hearing 
shall include a review of the student’s portfolio, vicarage reports, 
an interview by the faculty, and recommendations by the district 
president and circuit counselor. 
After certification, call, and ordination according to the usual 
order, the student is placed on the pastoral roster of the Synod as 
a “specific ministry pastor.” He now may preach and administer 
the Sacraments under supervision in a specific locality. 
Step 4: Post-Call and Ordination Curriculum 
Upon call and ordination, the student shall complete the 
remainder of the Specific Ministry Pastor Program. The 
following areas are intended to continue development of the 
foundational competencies necessary for serving as a specific 
ministry pastor: 
• Old Testament content and theology, New Testament 
content and theology, gifts of Christ, body of Christ, 
2026 Convention Workbook
394 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES