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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 446

Ov. 6-78 
To Encourage Young People  
to Enter Church Worker Vocations 
WHEREAS, Our Lord states that, “The harvest is plentiful, but the 
laborers are few,” and commands his Church to “pray earnestly to 
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 
9:37–38); and 
W
HEREAS, The Lutheran Church —Missouri Synod has a long, 
rich history of educating men and women towards church work 
vocations that continues to this day; and 
W
HEREAS, There is an apparent dearth of young people seeking 
to enter church work vocations, especially Lutheran school teachers 
and pastors; and 
W
HEREAS, Most church workers attribute their vocational 
decisions to mentors and other church work leaders throughout their 
lives; therefore be it 
Resolved, That each and every church worker in the Synod be 
encouraged to set a goal of encouraging at least one individual per 
year towards professional church worker training; and be it further 
Resolved, That every congregation in the Synod seek to support, 
both in encouragement and finances, the sending of young people 
to such institutions to train these workers; and be it further 
Resolved, That every congregation facilitate the use of Set Apart 
to Serve and celebrate church worker Sundays throughout the year 
by highlighting various vocations; and be it further 
Resolved, That every educational institution of the Synod urge 
and encourage its teachers to complete the Synod’s colloquy 
program and offer financial support; and be it finally 
Resolved, That every church worker be encouraged to conduct 
oneself in word and deed in such a way that actively (and passively) 
encourages young people to seek church work vocations. 
Michigan District 
Ov. 6-79 
To Support Bi- and Co-vocational Pastors  
and Their Congregations 
WHEREAS, The Christian Church exists in an increasingly secular 
and post-Christian world; and 
WHEREAS, Small, faithful congregations can find themselves, for 
a variety of reasons, in the circumstance of needing a pastor but 
being unable to provide a full salary; and 
W
HEREAS, Some congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod are served by pastors who work bi -vocationally or 
co-vocationally (often called tentmaker pastors); and 
WHEREAS, St. Paul himself provided for his physical needs as a 
tentmaker (Acts 18:1 –4) while he served the Church in Corinth, 
thereby establishing bi -vocational ministry as a viable and 
honorable manner in which clergy may continue to serve the 
congregations to which they are called without bringing personal 
hardship to themselves or their families; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod support men who obtain degrees, 
diplomas, certifications, or other means that can be used to 
supplement and/or complement the pastoral ministry, should the 
need arise; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod develop and commend best -practice 
guidelines, including appropriate fiscal support from congregations 
for the pastor and the pastor’s family, for congregations served by 
tentmaker pastors; and be it further 
Resolved, That a synodwide database of resources be compiled, 
to include current and retired tentmaker pastors who can provide 
wisdom and encouragement from their experiences; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That bi- vocational and co- vocational pastor 
candidates be encouraged to think strategically about how new 
vocational opportunities could support the mission and ministry of 
the congregation and the kingdom; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the Synod provide or coordinate resources to 
support congregations, especially lay leadership, as they experience 
challenges related to their pastor having additional employment; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod continue to provide or coordinate 
coaching and wellness resources to those who serve as tentmaker 
pastors; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its districts to aid 
congregations and tentmaker pastors within their respective districts 
by using these resources and best practices to support their shared 
mission and ministry. 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 6-80 
To Encourage Secular Vocational Training  
for Current and Potential Ordained  
and Commissioned Ministers 
WHEREAS, The Lord has commanded that those who preach the 
Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:3–18); 
and 
WHEREAS, It is good, right, and salutary for churches to have a 
pastor (Titus 1:5); and 
WHEREAS, There is a decline in church membership and 
attendance; and 
WHEREAS, Financial strain and stress can come about for 
ordained and commissioned church workers and their families when 
salary guidelines are not met; therefore be it 
Resolved
, That the North Dakota District encourage 
congregations to follow the district salary guidelines for ordained 
and commissioned church workers; and be it further 
Resolved, That district pastors catechize their congregations 
regarding biblical stewardship and first -fruits giving; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the district encourage ordained and 
commissioned church workers to develop other vocational skills as 
a means of income for the present and future needs of their families; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention 
and send this resolution to our seminaries and colleges to encourage 
current and potential ordained and commissioned church workers 
to develop other vocational gifts; and be it finally 
Resolved, That district congregations whose ordained and 
commissioned church workers cannot be compensated according to 
district salary guidelines be admonished to show understanding, 
reduce expectations, and allot time for ordained and commissioned 
2026 Convention Workbook
411PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES