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WHEREAS, Two of the three members of the PFC are seminary presidents and all three members of the committee are ordained, representing a narrow segment of interest; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod expand the PFC to include a wider range of voices and interests so that the voice of the church and the needs of congregations are better represented; and be it further

Resolved, That the PFC be comprised of:

• One seminary president • One Synod executive • One district president • Three lay members selected by draw of suggested names

submitted by district presidents of districts not already

represented on the committee.

Resolved, That, to effect the above, Bylaw 3.10.4.6 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

D. Pastoral Formation Committee … 3.10.4.6 The Pastoral Formation Committee shall comprise the following members:

Voting Members:

1. The Chief Mission Officer of the Synod, chairman 2. The presidents of the seminaries 1. One seminary president 2. One Synod executive 3. One district president 4. Three lay members selected by draw of suggested names

submitted by district presidents of districts not already

represented on the committee Nonvoting Advisory Member:

The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral Education Board of Directors Michigan District

Ov. 6-70

To Retain Current Structure of Pastoral Formation Committee

WHEREAS, The Synod has established the Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) to provide theological and ecclesial oversight of pastoral formation programs in harmony with Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Synod’s doctrinal commitments; and

WHEREAS, The current structure of the PFC reflects a deliberate balance of theological expertise, institutional accountability, and synodwide responsibility; and

WHEREAS, The PFC’s work directly affects the integrity of pastoral formation, including the relationship between residential seminary education and contextual pathways authorized by the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Changes to the composition of doctrinal or formationrelated committees may unintentionally alter their theological orientation or functional purpose; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly affirmed the importance of careful, theologically grounded oversight in matters pertaining to the pastoral office (AC XIV; FC SD X); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod affirm the current structure and membership composition of the PFC as presently constituted; and be it further

Resolved , That no expansion or restructuring of the PFC be adopted that would alter its current balance of theological and institutional representation; and be it further

Resolved, That any future proposal affecting the structure of the PFC demonstrate clear theological necessity and broad synodwide consensus; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful leaders who serve in pastoral formation oversight for the good order and unity of Christ’s Church.

Good Shepherd, Lincoln, NE;

Trinity (Decatur Rd), Fort Wayne, IN

Ov. 6-71

To Amend Bylaw 3.10.4.6 to Reform Membership of Pastoral Formation Committee

WHEREAS, The Synod is to, “Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” (Const. Art. III 3); and

WHEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) is responsible for ensuring that the “Synod’s objective of training pastors is fulfilled consistently” (Bylaw 3.10.4); and

WHEREAS, The training of pastors is a matter of great importance to the entire Synod, including its congregations, in recognition of the many vocations to which pastors are called to serve the Synod, its congregations, educational institutions, mission outposts, and Recognized Service Organizations; and

WHEREAS, Given the breadth of offices to which pastors are called to serve the Synod, the PFC should, through its membership, have knowledge of the needs of the Synod as it considers recommendation of new routes to ordination (Bylaw 3.10.4.1) and coordinates exis ting non -colloquy routes to ordination (Bylaw 3.10.4.3); and

WHEREAS, District presidents, given their direct election by the members of the Synod and ecclesiastical supervision of those pastors assigned to their districts (Bylaw 2.12.1), are uniquely situated to understand, analyze, and provide insight into the needs, both current and anticipated, for pastors in the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.4.6 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

D. Pastoral Formation Committee … 3.10.4.6 The Pastoral Formation Committee shall comprise the following members:

Voting Members:

1. The Chief Mission Officer of the Synod, chairman 2. The presidents of the seminaries 3. Five district presidents, one from each of the five geographic regions of the Synod, each of whom shall be appointed by the Council of Presidents’ members from such geographic region and shall serve for a term of one year.

Nonvoting Advisory Member:

The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral Education 2026 Convention Workbook

407PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES