# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S328
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

328

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

Whereas, Non-residential tracks toward ordination are currently
treated in a similar manner as SMP and SMP Colloquy; therefore
be it
Resolved, That Synod in convention adopt language for all nonresident graduate and ordained ministers of religion—ordained; and
be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.13.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Reports and Overtures
2.13.1
A “specific ministry pastor” is a minister of religion—
ordained who has completed the requirements for service as a
specific ministry pastor, EIIT, Hispanic ministry, or any other nonresidential ministry tracks and has been examined by one of the
Synod’s seminaries, has received a regular call, and has been placed
by the Council of Presidents into a specific Word and Sacrament
ministry context. He is eligible to serve only in that specific ministry
context for which he has been trained and may not be offered or
accept a call for ministry for which he has not been certified as
determined by his district president. He shall serve under the
supervision of his district president and another pastor who is not a
specific ministry pastor.
…

Board of Directors
Mid-South District
Ov. 6-14

To Encourage Further Consideration
of Successful Completion of Specific Ministry
Pastor Coursework before Ordination and
Placement on Ordained Roster
WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention considered Overture 607, “To Request Synod to Move Ordination Upon Completion of
SMP Four-Year Program” (Workbook, 451–52) with similar
overtures from other districts and congregations; and
WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention adopted 2019 Resolution
6-03A, referring this matter to the Pastoral Formation Committee to
“work to enhance the curriculum and standards of the SMP program
between the two seminaries…” and to “review the SMP program
regarding the optimal timing for vicarage and ordination and report
its recommendation to the joint boards of regents at its 2020
meeting, as well as to the Synod at large”; and
WHEREAS, 2019 Res. 6-03A further resolved “That the joint
board [sic] of regents prepare an overture to the Synod on the timing
of vicarage and ordination for the SMP program for consideration
in convention in 2022”; and
WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention will consider the
recommendations of the Pastoral Formation Committee and the
joint boards of regents of the seminaries, which are forthcoming;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention reaffirm the
importance of the Pastoral Formation Committee, the joint boards
of regents, and the Synod’s consideration of the issues regarding the
timing of ordination in the SMP program; and be it further
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention encourage
the Pastoral Formation Committee, the joint boards of regents of the
seminaries, and the Synod in convention to consider moving
ordination and placement on the minister of religion—ordained
roster of the Synod from after the completion of the first two years
2023 Convention Workbook

of the SMP program to after the completion of all SMP education
and academic requirements; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention submit to
the 2023 Synod Convention an overture with the above stated
whereas and resolved statements.
Mid-South District
Ov. 6-15

To Establish Specific Ministry Pastor Program
Oversight Board and to Revise Bylaws
Governing Program
WHEREAS, The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program was
established by 2007 Resolution 5-01B; and
WHEREAS, Specific ministry pastors serve the Church under
supervision because their theological education has been formed in
part by and for a specific ministry context (Bylaw 2.13.1 [a]); and
WHEREAS, This supervision is essential for the ministry as well
as the confidence of those served and the Church at large that the
ministry is conducted in a manner consistent with the Holy
Scriptures and the pastor’s unconditional subscription to the
Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, This supervision is not a perfunctory task, but one
requiring close attention to the needs of the specific ministry and
the conduct of that ministry; and
WHEREAS, Any change in ministry context is by its nature
inconsistent with the purpose of the SMP program and the
contextual theological education of the specific ministry; and
WHEREAS, It is essential that a student beginning his theological
education in a specific ministry context be known by the people he
serves; and
WHEREAS, “Residential seminary education is the preferred
option for the preparation of men for pastoral ministry” (2019 Res.
6-02); and
WHEREAS, Confidence in the SMP Program will be increased by
more clarity regarding the oversight and supervision of the
program; therefore be it
Resolved, That an “SMP Program Oversight Board” be
established; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.8 be inserted as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
H. Specific Ministry Pastor Program Oversight Board
3.10.8
The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program Oversight
Board shall be responsible for ensuring that the specific ministry
vicars and pastors are placed in ministry contexts which are
consistent with the intentions of the program. Specifically, it shall
ensure that any placement is not one which could expect to receive
a candidate according to the process outlined in Bylaw Section 2.5.
3.10.8.1
The SMP Program Oversight Board shall consist of the
First Vice-President of the Synod as chairman, the Secretary of the
Synod, the Chief Mission Officer, a district president appointed by
the Council of Presidents, and the Executive Director of Pastoral
Education.
3.10.8.2
The SMP Program Oversight Board shall establish and
monitor the standards under which a ministry and a man are suitable
for a vicarage and placement in the SMP program after consultation
with the President of the Synod and the faculties of the seminaries.