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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 444

WHEREAS, Different views have been expressed by many in the 
Synod regarding whether or not a pastor shortage exists now and 
the extent of any potential shortage in the future; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod does publish the number of rostered 
church workers, including pastors, in its various communications, 
giving a snapshot of the current number of pastors, but not giving a 
clear picture of what future pastor numbers will be; and 
WHEREAS, The seminaries have not consistently published 
enrollment numbers in a manner easily accessible to obtain for 
districts and congregations and their members, thereby allowing 
them to better understand for themselves both the current realities 
and future probabilities of the status of the Synod’s clergy roster; 
and 
W
HEREAS, Publications such as the Data Tables of the 
Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (one of the two 
accrediting agencies for Concordia Seminary [CSL] and Concordia 
Theological Seminary [CTSFW]) —which indicate that , by the 
seminaries’ reporting to them in the fall of 2024, there were only 
322 Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students across all classes between 
both seminaries —are not disseminated to congregations and 
workers as are Synod publications; (This information which reveals 
an average of only 80 M .Div. students/year to be ordained in the 
LCMS during this particular 4 year cycle can be found in ATS 
2024-2025 Table 2.12 [this is the most recent available data from 
ATS]); and 
W
HEREAS, Numbers from LCMS Research Services presented to 
the Texas District Board of Directors during its 2025 presidential 
visitation indicated a relatively small number of pastors, only 96, 
who will be reaching retirement age (67) in 2060 and beyond, 
suggesting a very small number of pastors currently on the roster 
who are in their early 30s or younger; and 
W
HEREAS, Synod publications such as The Lutheran Witness and 
Reporter have wide circulation among congregations and their 
members; therefore be it 
Resolved, That enrollment numbers for CSL and CTSFW be 
published in Reporter  and other appropriate Synod publications 
every year in the fall upon the matriculation of the newest class at 
each school. Such numbers to include: 
• the number of residential M.Div. students broken down by 
class (first year, second year, vicarage, fourth year) 
• the number of students in the Specific Ministry Pastor 
program 
• the number of students in other programs that lead to 
ordination 
• the number of deaconess students, as well as the number of 
students in any other program which the seminaries consider 
important to report 
• the number of students expected to be ordained and assigned 
in the coming academic year 
• the number of students in the different academic programs 
by the following age groups:  21–26, 27–32, 33–40, 41–49, 
50+ 
• the approximate cost per student per year in the different 
academic programs; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That districts and congregations be encouraged to use 
such information to bring an awareness of the need and value of 
ministerial recruitment; and be it finally 
Resolved, That similar reporting be provided to congregations of 
the Synod and their members for other church worker programs in 
the schools of the Concordia University System. 
Board of Directors 
Texas District 
Ov. 6-75 
To Encourage the Council of Presidents  
to Prioritize Assignment of Seminary Candidates 
to Sole Vacancies over Associate Positions 
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) 
currently has a shortage of pastors for open pulpits and altars; and 
WHEREAS, The difficulty of open pulpits and altars will only get 
worse due to pastors in the baby boomer segment of the population 
retiring; and 
W
HEREAS, Each year, the Synod’s seminaries are graduating 
fewer seminarians than the number of pastors needed by LCMS 
congregations; and 
WHEREAS, For proper administration of the Sacrament of the 
Altar, a local church needs to have a pastor or share a pastor; 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the 2025 North Dakota  District convention 
encourage the Council of Presidents and s eminary placement 
offices to prioritize the assignment of ready seminary candidates to 
sole vacancies over associate vacancies. 
North Dakota District 
Ov. 6-76 
To Participate in Building Culture  
of Church Work Formation and Recruitment 
WHEREAS, Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers 
are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send 
out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37–38); and 
W
HEREAS, Since 1847, the Synod has adopted resolutions in 
nearly every convention to form and recruit pastors, teachers, and 
other commissioned church workers to preach, teach, and share the 
Gospel of Jesus for eternal salvation in these full -time vocations; 
and 
WHEREAS, These convention resolutions urged that church work 
formation and recruitment intentionally take place in every 
congregation and school of the Synod, by pastors, teachers, 
commissioned church workers, and laity; and 
WHEREAS, These convention resolutions urged districts and 
congregations to have an active committee focused on forming and 
recruiting our youth and adults to consider full -time church work; 
and 
WHEREAS, The pastoral office is the one divinely mandated 
office by our Lord (John 20:19–23; Rom. 10:14–15; Eph. 4:11–16), 
and the seven commissioned church work vocations of the Synod 
have been established in love to support the Office of the Holy 
Ministry, namely, Lutheran teacher, director of Christian education 
(DCE), director of family life ministry, deaconess, director of parish 
2026 Convention Workbook
409PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES