Official Workbook PDF page source text

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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, There is an apparent dearth of young people seeking to enter church work vocations, especially Lutheran school teachers and pastors; and

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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