LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 217

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HIGHER EDUCATION 217

To Involve Congregations in Certifying Men
for Ordination

WHEREAS, The biblical qualifications for a bishop/elder (pastor)
given in | Timothy 3 and Titus | are largely descriptions of the
personal character of the individual; and ,

WHEREAS, This presupposes that the congregation which calls is
to determine whether or not the man called possesses the personal
qualifications given by the Sacred Scriptures; and

WHEREAS, Seminary faculties have little opportunity to observe
the personal life of students in order to determine whether or not
they possess the personal requirements given in the Sacred Scrip-
tures, namely, a man who is hospitable, not violent, not greedy for
money, gentle, not quarrelsome (1 Timothy 3), above reproach, not
self-willed, not quick tempered (Titus 1); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions specifically state that pas-
tors may not be imposed upon congregations without their consent;
and

WHEREAS, It would appear that having the congregation to
which a man is called involved in determining his suitability for
the pastoral office and ordination, rather than merely the certifica-
tion of a seminary faculty, is more in keeping with the scriptural
instructions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents, together with the
Board for Higher Education and the seminary faculties, develop a
method of involving the calling congregation in the final approval
for the ordination of a pastor; and be it further

Resolved, That the following be included in such method:

}. The seminary determines the academic and theological fit-
ness of the candidate.

2. That candidates be ordained after serving a congregation for
not less than one year under the mentoring of a mature and experi-
enced pastor.

3. That the congregation determines if the candidate meets the
scriptural requirements given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

4. That the District President, the Circuit Counselor, and the
pastors of the Circuit be involved in the final decision regarding
the candidate’s ordination. ;

Pastoral Conference
Montana District

5-26

To Encourage Development of Standards
and Intentional Interim Ministry

WHEREAS, The time between permanent pastors can be one of
confusion and anxiety, but also one of renewal and rededication to
mission; and

WHEREAS, In at least one-fourth of the Districts of the Synod
specially trained interim pastors are serving with intentionality to-
ward tasks to be accomplished during an interim; and

WHEREAS, Additional pastors in Synod are availing themselves
of specialized training and continuing education for interim min-
istry; and

WHEREAS, An intentional interim ministry planning group rec-
ommends that such ministry be recognized as a special ministry in
the Synod, as are campus ministry and chaplaincy; and

WHEREAS, District Presidents are responsible for the oversight
of Word and Sacrament ministry in their respective Districts; and

WHEREAS, Through the District President and his representa-
tives the entire church is involved in assisting a congregation when
it is without a permanent pastor; and

Wuereas, The Council of Presidents is investigating the bene-
fits of intentional interim ministry and questions to be answered in
regard to it; and

WuerEAS, The Michigan District in convention endorsed this
ministry in the District and resolved to memorialize the Synod con-
cerning it; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod in convention encourage the Council of
Presidents in considering models of intentional interim ministry,
their implications and ramifications; and be it further

Resolved, That standards of training and practice be developed
for such ministry; and be it finally
Resolved, That such specialized ministry be commended to con-
gregations during a period between permanent resident pastors.
Board of Directors
Michigan District

5-27
To Study Issue of Pre-Call Interviews of Candidates

Preamble

More and more District Presidents and calling congregations
are conducting interviews of fourth-year seminary students and ex-
pressing preferences to the Board of Assignments for placement of
specific candidates. This practice although well intentioned, espe-
cially in cases of specialized ministries, raises concerns which in-
vite additional consideration and study before becoming the regular
practice of the Synod.

WHEREAS, The practice of interviewing students at LCMS sem-
inaries prior to the assignment of first calls creates a mixed atmos-
phere of pride, disappointment, competition, and false anticipation
in seminary communities; and

WHEREAS, This practice can appear to override the inherent
sense of equality, spirituality, and trust that has long been an inte-
gral part of new candidate placement in our Synod, appearing to
favor those calling entities more able to stand the extra expense of
an interview process and those candidates singled out for special
attention, at the same time appearing to place at disadvantage those
calling entities less able to stand extra expense while giving the ap-
pearance of leaving leftover candidates for leftover call situations;
and

WHEREAS, This practice, as it becomes more widespread, may
in effect take away from the Board of Assignments its indepen-
dence and objectivity in the placement of candidates by introducing
significant pressures to place them according to these interviews
by outside entities; and

WHEREAS, These interviews, although well intentioned, may be
seen to introduce secular method and expectation into what must
remain a deeply spiritual practice of the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1998 convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod refer concerns regarding seminary pre-call inter-
views to the Standing Committee for Pastoral Ministry (SCPM) for
study and recommendations; and be it further

Resolved, That a moratorium be declared on this practice until
this study is completed and the SCPM’s recommendations are re-
ceived for consideration and orderly implementation by the semi-
naries and the Council of Presidents.

Board of Directors
South Dakota District

5-28

To Consider Provision re Advanced Standing
for Graduates of Synodical Preseminary Programs

WHEREAS, All of the colleges and universities of the Concordia
University System offer preseminary curricula to prepare men for
entrance to the seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod; and

WHEREAS, This preseminary education provides a valuable
component in the theological and spiritual formation of future pas-
tors in the church; and