LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 101

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SYNOD REPORTS
seminaries declare that the candidates are qualified for their first call,
both seminaries are intentional in following the progress and pastoral formation of individual seminarians.9
In recent years, joint meetings between the seminary faculties and
the Council of Presidents have been scheduled on an annual basis.
Bridging the gap between formal seminary education and the actual
performance of pastors as they assume service in their first calls, these
meetings have provided opportunities for frank and helpful dialogue
as well as the sharing of theological and practical considerations for
pastoral formation at the seminary level and beyond. For the sake of
further growth in the overall topic of pastoral formation, it is essential that these joint meetings and frank dialogues continue.
Post-Seminary Pastoral Formation

Graduation from a seminary of the Synod does not mean the end
of learning and pastoral growth and formation. In recent years, the
Post-seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS) program has
provided a first step for continuing education and post-seminary pastoral formation. Through a peer learning group of pastors in their
first through third years of ministry, along with a seasoned pastor
who serves as a facilitator, pastors are able to improve their ministry
skills through informal discussions and also with the benefit of a formal PALS curriculum dealing with a variety of practical topics. The
PALS courses are continuing education courses, with continuing education units (CEUs) granted upon completion. While participation in
PALS is not required for recent graduates, and while not all districts
currently participate in the PALS program but some instead provide a
more district-specific program, participation in PALS or a corresponding district program is an important step in post-seminary pastoral
formation and should be expected as a vital step in pastoral formation.
The seminaries of Synod also have a vital role in post-seminary continuing education and pastoral formation. Both seminaries
host on-campus opportunities for pastoral growth10 as well as provide multiple continuing education class opportunities annually at
various locations throughout the nation,11 granting CEUs upon successful completion of the workshops or classes. In addition to their
other advanced-degree programs, both seminaries offer a Doctor of
Ministry (DMin) program to experienced pastors who desire to grow
in their competence in pastoral sensitivities and skills. The DMin
course of study is done mostly by extension while the pastor is serving his parish.
The Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) has, for many years, provided another venue for pastoral growth and formation, especially in
providing training in mission-focused pastoral leadership. Combining
peer learning, personal coaching, and additional academic work, PLI
has partnered with the seminaries of Synod in offering a DMin program. Likewise, DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual
Care and Counsel provides advanced training for Lutheran pastors
who desire to grow in their abilities to provide spiritual care and counsel for the people in their congregations.
Beyond the continuing education opportunities provided by the
PALS program, the seminaries, and other organizations such as PLI
and DOXOLOGY, Bylaw section 4.8 provides for official district conferences, which include “matters pertaining to Christian doctrine and
practice; to professional problems; to the proper conduct in office;
to private study” etc. (Bylaw 4.8.1 [b]), and which are to be held “at
least once each year” (Bylaw 4.8.2), and at which attendance “shall
be obligatory” (Bylaw 4.8.2 [d] [1]). Practice concerning official conferences varies throughout the Synod’s districts as to the frequency
and structure of the conferences and whether formal continuing education units are provided. However, consideration should be given to
offering formal continuing education opportunities, including granting CEUs, at official conferences.12

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Synod Bylaw section 4.9 makes provision for nonofficial conferences, including circuit conferences (Winkels). Workers “are
encouraged to meet … for the purpose of discussing doctrinal, professional, and practical matters” (Bylaw 4.9.1 [a]). A variety of unofficial
conferences are held in districts and the Synod. Some focus on specific theological topics, while others emphasize practical concerns
that apply to specific niches within the Synod.
Synod Bylaw 5.2.3 [i] provides for regular circuit conferences
(Winkels). Although the agenda and content is not specified by the
Synod’s bylaws, Winkels typically include theological study, discussion concerning pastoral practice, and time for casuistry, discussing
difficult pastoral care situations—all of which may contribute to
ongoing professional growth and pastoral formation. However, the
bylaws make no expectation for attendance at Winkels beyond the
encouragement stated in Bylaw 4.9.1 [a].
Beyond the single required annual official district conference and
the encouragement for pastors to participate in circuit conferences or
other unofficial conferences, there are no provisions in the Synod’s
bylaws for required continuing education or intentional growth in
pastoral formation beyond the seminary level.
A concern that repeatedly surfaced in the meetings associated
with the 5-05A Task Force was that for well-balanced post-seminary
career-long pastoral formation, pastors should participate in a variety
of continuing education topics. Under the traditional four disciplines
of exegetical, systematic, historical, and practical theology, pastors
would participate in continuing education modules which would aid
proficiency in a broad range of classes or workshops including, but not
limited to, biblical languages, scriptural and confessional theological
scholarship, preaching and worship skills, leadership and administrative development, mission outreach from local to global contexts,
engaging the culture with faithful Law and Gospel proclamation and
practice, cross-cultural exposure, and church and ministry understandings. While it is beyond the scope of this 5-05A Task Force Report
to establish a comprehensive and detailed program for continuing
education and pastoral formation, provision should be made so that
pastors will have opportunity for well-balanced growth that reflects
the integrity of the pastoral office, is sound in theology and practice,
and is faithful to the mission of the church.
2. Accountability for Continuing Education

Even as different pastors have different strengths, weaknesses, and
interests, there is a wide spectrum of involvement in continuing education and commitment to intentional pastoral growth and formation.
There are many pastors who have found great benefit for themselves
and the congregations or agencies they serve through intentional
involvement in formal continuing education. There are other pastors
who capably serve their congregations or agencies but whose involvement in formal continuing education has been less intentional. And
there are some pastors who have felt little need for continuing education but whose pastoral growth and formation would have benefitted
greatly from such. Proverbs 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, and one
man sharpens another.” Intentional continuing education can have a
vital role in career-long pastoral growth and formation, sharpening
men to be more capable in their pastoral care and service. Perhaps this
has never been more important than in the current post-churched (or
pre-churched) culture in which the church now exists and in which
pastors serve.
In Synod, there is significant recognition of the benefit of continuing education in the process of career-long pastoral formation.
The 2007 LCMS convention overwhelmingly adopted Res. 5-05, “To
Encourage Commitment to Continuing Education for Clergy.”13 Res.
5-05 not only encouraged all LCMS pastors to develop and engage in
a plan for continuing education, but it also encouraged congregations
2013 Convention Workbook