Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2007 · 63rd Convention, Houston › Page 208
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 208

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

208 SEMINARY AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

sibility of the district president who has the responsibility for
ecclesiastical supervision of such member. This Bylaw sec-
tion 2.14, among others, provides the procedures to carry out
Article XIII of the Constitution, “Expulsion from the Synod.”
However, it does not provide the procedure for the expulsion
of the district presidents and the officers of the Synod (Bylaw
section 2.15), the President of the Synod (Bylaw section
2.16), or individual members in cases involving sexual mis-
conduct or criminal behavior (Bylaw section 2.17).

(C) Add a new section at the beginning of Bylaw section 2.13 to define
a “specific ministry pastor” and the limitations on membership privileges
and responsibilities that pertain, as follows:

2.13.1 A “specific ministry pastor” is a mi nister of religion—or-
ined w! requirements for

cific mini r n examined by one o

ific Wor
ini x! ibl nl

rs faeces enh cue tea
his call.

A ifi ligibl

(4) serve as a voting delegate toa national convention of
n legat o na-

ion io} " 1 to di

conventions:

2) hol lected in ffice on the district or

national Synod level that is assigned by the Bylaws of

the Synod to “a pastor” (although specific ministry pas-

(D) Change the titles and bylaw numbering of subsequent paragraphs
of Bylaw section 2.13 to accommodate the introduction of the “specific
ministry pastor status and limitations” paragraphs, as follows:

Restricted Status and Limitations
283
2.13.2 An individual member of the Synod may be placed...

Removal of Restricted Status and Limitations
2-4
2.13.3 An individual member of the Synod who is placed...

Suspended Status and Limitations
a5
2.13.4 When formal proceedings have been commenced...
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Pastoral Education working
through the DELTO Oversight Committee, now renamed the Spe-
cific Ministry Pastor Program Coordinating Committee, develop
comprehensive guidelines that are consistent with the introductory
portion of this resolution, thereby establishing the theological foun-
dations, educational expectations, rostering process, and member-
ship limitations intended for this Specific Ministry Pastor Program.

. Pastor (General Ministry)

eect cemaee

Ordination

Experience, Informal/Formal Study, &

Interview (cf. “Ahernate Rowte”)

I
i]
{
|
{
{
i

Specific Ministry Pastor |

‘A Specific Mintsory Pator bs prepaned for srvice in 2
specific eninastry ates. After completion of his required post- 3
ondinacion coursework, he ts ctigible to receive calls within 4
drape claret otch iets ten pepe Howe |
ee may mot exescise ecclestastical wupervision beyond his i

on-campus seminars while serving as a pastas)

Pre-Ordination Course and Contextual Studies
Combination of required residenr coursework and
contextual education (fieldwork and vicarage)

F  Uncil he has completed his post-andinatlon cousewod, a
Specific Ministry Pastor is aot eligible to cake @ call snd
serves under supervision of « mentoring pescot.

. . (3 years of full-time classes in the residential
Ordination program + | yeur of full-time vicarage)
Required Pre-Ordination Coursework
(About 2 years part-time in distance
classes and brief on-campur seminars
while serving as a vicar)

Specific Ministry Education Program
{Appcoximately 75 class credits in 6 part-time years + 2
years of contextual education and early ordination in

a congregation prepared to call the candidate for

vicarage and final placement from the beginning)

Traditional M.Div. Program
(119 class credits in 3 full-time years + about 1.5 years
of concextual education [1 year of full-time vicarage &
3 years of part-time resident field education], with
placement and ordination at end of program)

Board for Pastoral Education

5-02

To Support Specific Ministry Pastor Program
and Similar Programs

WHEREAS, The mission and ministry of congregations, schools,
and institutions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod require
well-prepared professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, The need for such workers to reach diverse peoples
and cultures with the eternal truth of the Gospel calls us to contin-
ually evaluate our present methods of preparing workers for the
church today; and

WHEREAS, Seeking to fulfill its mission to serve church and
world through theological education and leadership, the Board for
Pastoral Education has played an important role in the development
of innovative programs of pastoral formation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm the Board for
Pastoral Education working in partnership with the seminaries, the
DELTO Oversight Committee, and the Council of Presidents in de-
veloping a new process for identifying, equipping, and sending
faithful missional pastoral leaders for the church at large; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention establish and recognize
the “Specific Ministry Pastor Program”; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Concordia University System be tasked with
developing similar contextual approaches for preparing and send-
ing Lutheran educators and other professional church workers into
the mission fields of North America.

Board of Directors
Southeastern District