Workbook page: 81
PDF page: 116
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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 116
2026 Convention Workbook
81
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
17
2. If the SMP-supervising pastor serves more than one SMP vicar/pastor, he will receive $_____ for each
additional student. The pastor-supervisor will not be reimbursed by the district or the seminary for any
expenses.
3. The SMP-supervising pastor’s status for tax purposes will be that of a self-employed person rather
than that of an employee, since the seminary does not have the authority to control the methods or
means by which any pastor- supervisor conducts his services.
Terms of Service
Ordinarily, the SMP-supervising pastor will serve until the SMP vicar/pastor completes the program.
Following completion of the program, the president of the district in which the specific ministry
pastor is serving will designate a pastor who is not a specific ministry pastor to provide ongoing
supervision for the Specific Ministry vicar/pastor. The district president will be responsible for all
matters concerning the membership status and limitations of the SMP (2023 LCMS Bylaw
2.13.1).
________________________________ ________________
SMP-Supervising Pastor Date
________________________________ ________________
District President Date
________________________________ ________________
Seminary SMP Director Date
________________________________ ________________
SMP Vicar/Pastor Date
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Partnership Covenant for Participation
in the
Specific Ministry Pastor Program
Participation in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program requires a relationship of trust among those
involved in this unique opportunity to prepare LCMS pastors for the holy ministry . A candidate for the
SMP program does not initiate the admission process himself, but rather is nominated and supported by
those who represent and are responsible for the specific ministry context into which the candidate will be
placed. This document articulates the covenant of trust and responsibility that exists among the seminary,
the district, the sponsoring entity, the SMP -supervising pastor, and the SMP vicar/pastor.
The seminary promises its support to the SMP vicar/pastor by
• Providing theological education through its program of studies;
• Providing orientation, support, and encouragement for the SMP-supervising pastor;
• Intentionally including SMP vicars/pastors in the corporate life of the seminary student
body through prayer, encouragement, and student services; and
• Working, with local and district supervision, to provide evaluation leading to certification as
a Specific Ministry Pastor.
The district of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, through its district president, promises
• To provide overall supervision of the progress of the candidate, including doctrinal
supervision, and to endeavor to support the candidate in every way possible ;
• To ensure that once the SMP candidate is ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor, the district
will monitor his continued progress in the program, and should a student refuse to complete
the study program for SMP certification, will remove that student from the roster of The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod;
• To ensure that once the Specific Ministry Pastor has completed his study program, he will
work in a situation which will provide supervision by an LCMS M.Div. pastor (non-SMP)
(Period C); and
• To be responsible to ensure that tuitions and fees are remitted to the seminary in a timely
manner.
The sponsoring entity (a calling agency of synod) promises
• To pray for the candidate and support him, his family, and his ministry spiritually and
emotionally as coworkers in God's Kingdom ;
• To develop and support a financial plan in which the costs of education and the support of the
student are met in a realistic way;
• To utilize the SMP vicar/pastor only as prescribed by the LCMS Constitution and Bylaw s;
Policy Requirements for the SMP Program; A Comprehensive, Uniform, Synodwide
Specific Ministry Supervision Plan; and Seminary SMP Handbook ; and
• To require that the SMP vicar/pastor complete the study program as administered by the
seminary; and
To encourage and support him in subsequent continuing education and reception of ongoing
supervision.
The SMP-supervising pastor promises to fulfill all responsibilities outlined in the document “SMP-
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Supervising Pastor: Position Description. ”
The SMP vicar/pastor promises
• To apply himself diligently to his study program;
• To conduct himself in a way that is worthy of the office of the holy ministry of Christ's
church;
• To respect those in authority over him in his ministry, particularly his SMP-supervising pastor;
• To complete the SMP program in the specific ministry context into which he was called and
ordained;
• To agree that refusal to complete the SMP study program following call and ordination will
result in his removal from the roster of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod;
• To take ultimate responsibility for the financial obligations of the program; and
• To acknowledge and agree to serve gladly within the restrictions of SMP rostering, including
participation in and reception of ongoing supervision throughout his career as an SMP pastor.
In good faith, the undersigned agree to this covenant and will do everything within their power to uphold
it.
Date District President
Date Seminary Representative
_______________________________________
Date SMP-Supervising Pastor
Date Calling Entity Official Representative
Date Candidate for Specific Ministry Pastor
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APPENDIX B
SMP Annual Supervision Plan for
the SMP-Supervising Pastor and Specific Ministry Pastor
Supervision Plan for __________, __________ to __________, __________
Month Ye a r Month Yea r
Name of Specific Ministry Pastor
__________________________________________
Name of SMP Supervisor__________________________________________________
Date and Length of meeting time
SMP supervis ing pastor and specific ministry pastor shall meet in person at least 40 hours per year.
Note: 1 continuing education unit is the equivalent of 10 hours actual class time .
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Date__________ Length of Meeting_____________
Topics of Continuing Education discussed during this time together:
See “Responsibility of the SMP-Supervising Pastor”
Biblical text
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lutheran Confessions (Book of Concord )
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theological book discussion
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Review of a sermon written/delivered by the SMP
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pastoral care focus
________________________________________________________________________________________________