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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 431

become the principal rule with respect to the preparation and 
ordination of pastors; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has further urged that seminaries, districts, 
congregations, and pastors consistently encourage and strive to 
make provisions for prospective SMP students to consider entering 
residential pastoral formation programs; and 
WHEREAS, Clarity regarding the appropriate use of the SMP 
program serves both the integrity of pastoral formation and the unity 
of the Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, The use of the SMP program for staffing associate 
pastor positions, multi -site congregations, or satellite worship 
locations where residential seminary formation is a reasonable 
option risks transforming an exceptional pathway into a normative 
staffing model, contrary to the stated intent of the Synod (2013 Res. 
5-04B); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the SMP program is 
intended for clearly defined and limited ministry contexts and is not 
to be used where a congregation or ministry setting could 
reasonably support a pastor formed through residential seminary 
programs (2013 Res. 5-04B); and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod clarify that the SMP program is not 
intended to function as a routine means of staffing associate pastor 
roles, multi-site congregations, or satellite ministry locations where 
residential pastoral formation is feasible; and be it further 
Resolved, That districts and district presidents be encouraged to 
apply SMP policies consistently and in harmony with the Synod’s 
stated intent that the SMP program remain an exceptional pathway 
rather than a normative staffing solution; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful specific 
ministry pastors who serve under call in appropriate contexts, while 
continuing to uphold the integrity, unity, and catholicity of pastoral 
formation for the sake of Christ’s Church. 
Trinity (Decatur Rd) 
Fort Wayne, IN 
Ov. 6-52 
To Affirm and Support Established Parameters  
of Specific Ministry Pastor Program 
WHEREAS, The Synod established the Specific Ministry Pastor 
(SMP) program to address ministry needs in specific contexts where 
residential seminary formation is not feasible; and 
W
HEREAS, The SMP program was intentionally designed as a 
limited and contextual pathway, distinct from the Master of Divinity 
program, which provides comprehensive formation including 
extensive study of Holy Scripture, theology, pastoral practice, and 
supervised formation; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed that alternative 
pastoral formation programs exist to serve exceptional 
circumstances and are not intended to replace residential seminary 
education; and 
W
HEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC), acting 
under authority delegated by the Synod (Bylaws 3.10.4– 3.10.4.7; 
2016 Res. 6-01; 2019 Res. 6-02, 6-03A; 2023 Res. 6-03A), provides 
ongoing oversight of pastoral formation pathways to ensure 
faithfulness to Sc ripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and Synod 
intent; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently maintained that the SMP 
program is to be understood as an exceptional pathway and not as a 
general or normative staffing model for congregations; and 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture exhorts ministers to rightly handle the 
“word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); and 
WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession teaches that no one should 
publicly teach or administer the Sacraments without a rightly 
ordered call and proper preparation (AC XIV); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod affirm the SMP program as a valuable 
but exceptional pathway intended for clearly defined ministry 
contexts under carefully established parameters; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the SMP program is not 
intended to function as a normative staffing solution where 
residential seminary formation is reasonably feasible; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That districts and congregations be encouraged to 
adhere faithfully to Synod-approved SMP policies and to prioritize 
residential seminary formation whenever feasible; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the PFC be encouraged to continue regular 
oversight of the SMP program to ensure it remains consistent with 
its original purpose and stated intent; and be it finally 
Resolved
, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful SMP 
pastors who serve under call for the sake of Christ’s Church. 
Trinity (Decatur Rd) 
Fort Wayne, IN 
Ov. 6-53 
To Suspend New Specific Ministry Pastor 
Admissions pending Conformity  
with the Synod in Convention 
Preamble 
The Synod in convention established the Specific Ministry Pastor 
(SMP) program (2007 Res. 5-01B, “To Establish Specific Ministry 
Pastor Program”, Proc., 133–138) as a flexible and exceptional 
pastoral formation pathway to address particular ministry needs and 
special circumstances, replacing the DELTO program and 
permitting a broad range of “specific ministries.” From its 
inception, the program was not intended to function as a general or 
parallel route into the Office of the Holy Ministry, but as an 
accommodation to limited and specific situations. 
In the years following its implementation, concerns arose regarding 
the scope, definition, and application of the SMP program. In 
response, the 2013 Synod convention acted deliberately to narrow 
and clarify the program’s permissible use through Resolution 5-
04B, “To Continue and Strengthen Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) 
Program” ( Proc., 139 –40). That resolution explicitly directed 
district presidents not to approve SMP ministry sites that could 
reasonably be expected to support a general pastor or where the  
duties could be fulfilled by a minister of religion —commissioned, 
and reaffirmed that residential theological education remains the 
primary means for training men for pastoral ministry in the Synod. 
Experience since the adoption of these restrictions indicates that the 
limitations established by the Synod in convention have not been 
consistently observed, and that the SMP program has been utilized 
in contexts beyond those authorized. This has resulted in ongoing 
confusion regarding the nature of “specific ministry,” weakened 
2026 Convention Workbook
396 PAST ORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES