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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 458

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

458

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

WHEREAS, Preach the Word usage continues to accelerate with
over 5,243 video plays, 1,587 downloads, and 1,134 finishes
(LCMS Communications); therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2019 Synod convention joyfully and
vigorously encourage pastors and congregations to participate in the
Preach the Word project in the continued spirit of the historic event
of the Reformation and remembrance of the 500th Anniversary of
the Reformation (1517–2017); and be it further
Resolved, That every district president and circuit visitor
strongly encourage the pastors under his ecclesiastical supervision
to make use of Preach the Word for their continued education in
crafting their skill in the excellence of preaching; and be it finally
Resolved, That every hearer of the preached Word “fear and love
God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it
sacred and gladly hear and learn it” (Small Catechism I, Third
Commandment).
Faculty, Concordia Seminary;
Faculty, Concordia Theological Seminary
Ov. 6-21

To Support the Role of Our Seminaries
in Ongoing Pastoral Education
WHEREAS, The third objective of our Synod in Constitution
Article III is to “Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other
professional church workers and provide opportunity for their
continuing growth”; and
WHEREAS, Our Synod is blessed with two seminaries that are
dedicated to the formation of servants in Christ who will faithfully
carry out the Great Commission of Christ, Matt. 28:19–20, to teach
“all things whatsoever” taught in the Holy Scriptures and (as stated
in the ordination vows of every pastor) in our Lutheran Confessions
as the faithful exposition thereof; and
WHEREAS, Consistent with the Great Commission, our
seminaries are reaching out to, and their expertise is sought by,
those members of Lutheran churches in all the world who seek
theological education consistent with the affirmation of the
inerrancy of Scripture and joyful adherence in doctrine and practice
to confessional Lutheranism in the face of the rejection of God’s
Word and truth by the world; and
WHEREAS, Our seminaries not only form workers for their initial
ordination or commissioning, but provide advanced degrees, postgraduate study, and other ongoing educational programs, which
programs benefit our called workers and the Church at large by
providing instruction at the highest academic level through skilled
and seasoned faculty, as an “opportunity for continuing growth”;
and
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has recognized the need for
pastoral continuing education at every convention since at least
1998, most recently in 2016 Resolution 17-01, “To Enhance Clergy
Continuing Education” (adopted [Yes: 802; No:123]), which
provides in relevant part:
WHEREAS, Our Synod is blessed with excellent seminaries where
the foundation for pastoral formation is properly laid and the
theological grounding so necessary for pastoral ministry is
established. In the tradition of Luther, however, our Synod also
recognizes that pastoral formation is a lifelong endeavor and that
the early years of ministry are a critical time in that learning

2019 Convention Workbook

process and a time of significant and critical transition for them
and for the congregations they serve; and
WHEREAS, The Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support
(PALS) initiative was designed as a collaborative partnership
between The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
districts and the Synod to support new pastors and their wives in
their first few years in the ministry, facilitating the transition
from seminary life to parish ministry and offering opportunities
for new pastors to apply their seminary education as they begin
ministry with a unique flock in a specific place; and
WHEREAS, During the PALS meetings, the new pastors worship,
study, and discuss new ministry experiences in the company of
an experienced pastor. They choose topics to study and ministry
skills to hone that are most pertinent to their and their
congregation’s specific needs; and
WHEREAS, Our culture and society have become increasingly
secularized and hostile to the faith. Our pastors need more than
ever to be engaged in a process of lifelong education and
development to be best prepared to raise up disciples for Christ
by teaching the faithful, reaching the lost, and sharing Christ’s
love through care and acts of mercy for this generation and
generations to come; and
WHEREAS, While presently over 200 pastors are involved in
PALS, over 500 pastors are involved in continuing education
events hosted by the seminaries, and another 70 pastors are
enlisted as Doctor of Ministry students each year; and
WHEREAS, One can never know the Scriptures and Lutheran
Confessions too well or study and practice ways to apply this
knowledge and skills in specific ministry contexts too much; and
…
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 17-01 also specifically endorses the PALS
program, developed collaboratively with the districts of the Synod
and operated by the seminaries, as well as affirming the role of the
seminaries in providing continuing theological education; and
WHEREAS, Continuing education for new pastors, though vital,
imposes financial and time demands upon pastors, their families,
and their congregations; thus, it makes no sense to incur additional
expense and spend extra time to duplicate programs that have
already been created Synod-wide through the cooperation of the
districts and the seminaries; and
WHEREAS, It also makes sense that continuing education
programs of a formal nature be overseen by the seminaries, who
have the vocation, resources, and, through their faculties, the
expertise to do so; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and
encouragement to all those involved in ongoing pastoral education,
be they students or instructors; and be it further
Resolved, That in light of the many time and financial demands
upon local congregations, pastors, and their families from the
attendance at continuing education programs, districts be directed
to use and financially support the PALS program for new pastor
orientation and not to impose additional requirements upon new
pastors over and above those applicable to all pastors (e.g., general
pastoral conferences); and be it further
Resolved, That effective September 1, 2020, all programs of
continuing theological education for ordained members of Synod
conducted by an recognized service organization of Synod that are
intended to meet the requirements of Synod and/or be included in a