LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 194

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194

Seminary and University Education

Whereas, The Northwest District and other districts have a successful track record of having licensed deacons work effectively under
trained pastors to do the ministry they have been called to do; and
Whereas, These districts have seen that most licensed deacons
desire continued training, and many have gone to our seminaries
because of their service, yet some will not be able to attend seminary
classes on campus or through the specific ministry pastor (SMP) program due to the cost and time restrictions; and
Whereas, There are other areas of our country and in foreign countries who would be without spiritual leadership if it were not for the
dedicated men who have been trained through the lay minister and
deacon programs of our Synod; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Confessions recognize the right and need
of each congregation to call a man to do Word and Sacrament ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That our Synod continue to offer the training of lay leaders and deacons to serve in those areas where support of a full-time
ordained pastor would be an impossibility and/or hardship.
Zion
Ashton, ID
5-16

To Provide to Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP)
Students the Same Pre-Ordination Core
Curriculum as Residential Seminary Students
Whereas, The 2007 Regular Convention of the LCMS resolved to
establish the “Specific Ministry Pastor” program (Res. 5-01 B); and
Whereas, The LCMS has the expertise to deliver such preparation, whether residentially or in the field; and
Whereas, The spiritual needs of those who will be served by SMP
candidates are no different than those who will be served by any pastor who graduates as a residential student from one of the Synod’s
seminaries, warranting a thorough education on the part of all who
serve as pastors; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the 2010 LCMS convention to direct the SMP program to provide the
same pre-ordination core curriculum in Scripture content, theology,
and the Lutheran Confessions as is currently in place for residential
students at the Synod’s seminaries.
Montana District
5-17

To Recruit and Retain Full-Time Church Workers
Whereas, When our Lord said, “The harvest is plentiful but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out
workers into His harvest field” (Matt. 9:37–38), He indicated that His
disciples were, and are now, to be active in supporting the recruitment
and preparation of pastors and other full-time church workers; and
Whereas, One of the objectives of the LCMS is to “Recruit and
train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” (LCMS Constitution,
Art. III 3); and
Whereas, Three subsequent objectives of the Synod are
8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers of the
Synod in the performance of their official duties;
9. Provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and
other church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights;

10. Aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and
other church workers, and their families (LCMS Constitution, Art. III 8–10);
and
Whereas, The Concordia University System schools; Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis; and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort
Wayne have programs that provide guidance and programs for church
worker preparation and scholarships for church work students in the
Synod; and
Whereas, The What a Way initiative of the Synod provides a
positive and joyful approach both to rebuild active recruitment and
retention of church workers as an integrated part of the LCMS culture
and lifestyle at the local congregation level and to assist local congregations by providing and developing resources to facilitate deliberate
activity, dialogue, and support of church workers (explore vocational
guidance and resources at www.WhataWay. org); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention thank the Lord of the
Church for having answered the prayers of His people, and petition
Him to continue to bestow the gifts of full-time church workers on
His Church; and be it further
Resolved, That each congregation and district in general and each
pastor and church worker in particular seek to identify, to encourage,
and to recruit people within the Church to be full-time workers in the
Lord’s harvest field; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations, districts, and individuals be
expected to support and provide adequately for pastors, teachers,
and other church workers—and their families; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations, districts, and individuals be urged
to increase support for church work students, by sending offerings
to college, university, and seminary endowments that support the
training and education of church workers and by participating in the
“For the Sake of the Church” and the Joint Seminary Fund efforts
and in the adopt-a-student programs through our Synod’s schools;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention affirm, encourage, and
support the What a Way initiative to foster active recruitment and
retention of church workers.
Board for Pastoral Education; Board for District and
Congregational Services; Board for University Education; Board
of Regents, Concordia, St. Paul; Commission on Ministerial
Growth and Support; Board of Regents, Concordia University,
Texas; Faculty, Concordia University, Portland
5-18

To Celebrate and Support “For the Sake
of the Church”
Whereas, The Objectives article of the LCMS Constitution
includes these: “Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing
growth” (Art. III 3); and “Aid congregations to develop processes of
thorough Christian education and nurture and to establish agencies
of Christian education such as elementary and secondary schools
and to support synodical colleges, universities, and seminaries” (Art.
III 5); and
Whereas, The Synod is in need of well-educated pastors, teachers, other professional church workers and laypersons to serve the
church and community; and
Whereas, The Concordia colleges and universities are committed
to providing a quality Christian education from a Lutheran perspective as they prepare Lutheran leaders for our congregations, schools,
and communities; and
Whereas, Significant endowments are needed to maintain the fiscal strength of the Concordia colleges and universities and to provide
income to reduce the educational costs of Lutheran students; and
Whereas, The objectives of the “For the Sake of the Church”
initiative include increasing the number of Lutheran students at our

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 194

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