# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S457
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

457

Ov. 6-20

Ov. 6-19

To Create a Pastor Training Program for
Currently Serving Christian Pastors to Become
LCMS Pastors
WHEREAS, There is a need for more pastors in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to continue to spread the
Gospel; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to recruit for the LCMS, academically
trained and spiritually mature Christian pastors that are currently
serving a Christian congregation (1 Tim. 3:1–7; 4:16; 6:3; 2 Tim.
2:2; 3:15–17; Titus 1:9); and
WHEREAS, There is a need for LCMS pastors to assist in
identifying and training the next generation of LCMS pastors; and
WHEREAS, Local and qualified LCMS pastors may be available
to assist in training the next generation of LCMS pastors; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary that the congregant/pastoral
relationship continues with the candidate during the training; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for the candidate to attain training
while serving the congregation; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for the candidate to verbalize and live
out his training along with other LCMS pastors to promote unity
within the body; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for the pastor to attain a graduate
degree to signify the successful accomplishment of the program and
attain rostered status to serve as an LCMS pastor; and
WHEREAS, God will be glorified through the addition of servants
to the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That a program be created to train and roster new
LCMS pastors; and be it further
Resolved, That the program be created to recruit pastors who
hold at least a bachelor’s degree and who are currently pastoring a
congregation for at least two years; and be it further
Resolved, That the applicants to the program be recommended
by at least two rostered LCMS pastors and interviewed by the
district president having jurisdiction; and be it further
Resolved, That upon acceptance to the program the candidate be
assigned a currently rostered LCMS pastor as a mentor for the
duration of the program; and be it further
Resolved, That the candidate begin with immediate vicarage
upon acceptance to the program; and be it further
Resolved, That the program consist of up to 40 credit hours of
distance learning; and be it further
Resolved, That the candidate successfully accomplish a
graduation interview conducted by the district president and any
two rostered LCMS pastors of his choice; and be it further
Resolved, That at the successful completion of the program the
pastor receive a master’s degree in religion and a rostered status as
an LCMS pastor; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS will add servants to glorify God
through the creation of this program.
Trinity
Delray Beach, FL

To Support and Utilize Preach the Word
WHEREAS, The pastor is chiefly called “to administer the Word
of God in its full truth and purity as contained in the sacred
scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and as set forth in the
confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as found
in the Book of Concord” (Supplement to the Diploma of Vocation
for Pastor); and
WHEREAS, St. Paul was inspired to write, “…And how are they
to hear without someone preaching? … So faith comes from
hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:14,17)
and “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus …
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove,
rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Tim.
4:1,2); and
WHEREAS, Luther writes, “To preach Christ means to feed the
soul, make it righteous, set it free, and save it” (Luther’s Work
[Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1957, 31:346]), and “Here we also see
the power of this preaching of the Gospel. Beyond all the might and
power of the world and of all creatures, Christ proves His ability to
draw the hearts of men to Himself through the Word alone and to
bring them to His obedience without any compulsion or external
force at all. Apart from Christ, all men are everlastingly subjects
and captives in the power of the devil, of sin, and of death; but He
rescues them for an eternal, divine freedom, righteousness, and life.
This great and marvelous thing is accomplished entirely through the
office of preaching the gospel. Viewed superficially, this looks like
a trifling thing, without any power, like any ordinary man’s speech
and word. But when such preaching is heard, his invisible, divine
power is at work in the hearts of men through the Holy Spirit.”
(Augsburg Confession XIII 291); and
WHEREAS, The President’s Office initiated Preach the Word as
an ongoing project in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
(1517–2017) to help pastors work together to improve their
preaching through video modules and by interacting with seminary
professors and fellow preachers; and
WHEREAS, Both seminaries and the Council of Presidents
energetically support preaching excellence, the Preach the Word
project, and the Synod’s increasing emphasis on continuing
education for all pastors; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 Synod convention endorsed and
encouraged the use of Preach the Word by 94 percent; and
WHEREAS, Six modules have been completed to date: (1) The
Use of Story in Preaching by Dr. David Schmitt, (2) The Use of
Biblical Text in Sermon Preparation by Dr. Dean Nadasdy, (3)
Delivering the Gospel Live and in Person by Dr. Carl Fickenscher,
(4) Applying God’s Word into People’s Lives by Dr. Glenn Nielsen,
(5) The Use of Technology in Preaching by Rev. Matt Peeples, and
(6) Sacramental Preaching by Dr. David Peterson; and
WHEREAS, Additional modules in production for future release
include: (1) Preaching the Baptismal Life by Dr. Reed Lessing, (2)
Preaching and Mission by Dr. Douglas Rutt, (3) Preaching in a
Post-Christian Context by Dr. Gregory Seltz, (4) Sermon Structure
by Dr. Carl Fickenscher, (5) Catechetical Preaching by Rev. Peter
Bender, and (6) Law and Gospel Preaching by Dr. Steven Mueller;
and

2019 Convention Workbook