LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 225

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Seminary and University Education
5-20

To Address Pastoral Formation and Education
Whereas, Jesus commanded His apostles to “make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them, … teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20); and
Whereas, God, through the apostle Paul, listed as one of the qualifications for pastors that they be “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2); and
Whereas, Believers and unbelievers alike benefit from a clergy
that is well trained and well versed in all areas of Christian doctrine; and
Whereas, Society at large stresses the great benefits of receiving
more education and training and not less; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Indiana District in convention memorialize
the 2013 LCMS convention to encourage our district and Synod officials and the officials of our seminaries in St. Louis and Fort Wayne
to strongly impress upon prospective seminary students and candidates for the pastoral ministry (no matter the program track they are
participating in) the great benefits of receiving as much residential
seminary education as possible; and be it further
Resolved, That the Indiana District in convention memorialize the
2013 LCMS convention to require that by the 2016 LCMS convention, the officers and boards of the Synod present a model (or models)
for pastoral formation and funding that maximizes collegiality, community, and academic content and rigor.
Indiana District
5-21

To Require High Standard of Education
for Ordained Ministers
Whereas, Jesus instituted the Office of the Holy Ministry, commanding His apostles to make disciples of all the nations by baptizing
and teaching “all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20, emphasis added); and
Whereas, God, through the apostle Paul, listed as qualifications
for pastors that they be “able to teach,” “not be a recent convert” (1
Tim. 3:3), and must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so
that [they] may be able to give good instructions in sound doctrine
and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9); and
Whereas, Currently, the alternate route program candidates
enrolled in the Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS), Specific Ministry
Pastor (SMP) program, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology
(EIIT), and Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT) complete the requirements for ordination with less than half of the academic education of
Master of Divinity, Certificate, and Cross Cultural Ministry Center
(CCMC) students; and
Whereas, Believers and unbelievers alike benefit from a clergy
that is well trained and well versed in all areas of Christian doctrine; and
Whereas, Even society at large stresses the great benefits of
receiving more education and not less; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2012 convention of the Montana District
memorialize the 2013 LCMS convention to direct the Chief Mission
Officer and the Executive Director of Pastoral Education to require
all pastoral ministry alternate route programs to share the same high
standard of education; and be it further
Resolved, That this standard require all alternate route programs
to share the same entry-level standard of education as the certificate
(colloquy) alternate route program; and be it further

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Resolved, That this standard of education for all alternate route
programs be, at the minimum, equivalent to the certificate alternate
route program, especially the study of the biblical Greek language;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the 2013 LCMS convention to direct the Chief Mission Officer and
Executive Director of Pastoral Education to implement these standards by the 2015 academic year or sooner.
Montana District
5-22

To Commend and Continually Improve Specific
Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been
blessed by the Lord of the Church with seminary programs and faculties that are able to effectively instruct students both on campus and
through the utilization of distance education methods; and
Whereas, The Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program enables
men to receive theological training from our seminaries at the same
time as they are receiving practical training work under the guidance
of a mentor pastor while serving in the parish; and
Whereas, The SMP program was adopted in 2007 with the
proposed purpose that it would produce “church planters and missionaries” (2007 Convention Proceedings, p. 133); and
Whereas, The SMP program is overseen by two seminaries;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Indiana District express
their appreciation for and continued support of the SMP program;
and be it further
Resolved, That the seminaries be encouraged to coordinate similar admissions and training programs, and publish in their catalogs a
course syllabus outlining additional requirements necessary to gain
a Master of Divinity degree; and be it further
Resolved, That candidates and graduates of the SMP program be
encouraged to continue their theological education; and be it further
Resolved, That the admissions process for the SMP program be
turned over to the sole authority of the seminaries so that all students
received for the pastoral ministry, in any program, have the same process of examination of fitness for ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That duties held by district offices in the pastoral training admissions process be reduced to whatever they presently have in
the residential seminary M. Div. program; and be it further
Resolved, That the President of the Synod be respectfully
requested to appoint a task force from faculty members of both seminaries and members of the Council of Presidents to review the SMP
program, assess its graduates, and report its findings and recommendations to the 2016 LCMS convention; and be it finally
Resolved, That the 2012 convention of the Indiana District of the
LCMS send this resolution to the 2013 LCMS convention.
Indiana District
5-23

To Support Specific Ministry Pastor Program
Whereas, The 2007 LCMS convention established the Specific
Ministry Pastor (SMP) program at both seminaries to develop pastors for “specific ministries” (Res. 5-01B); and

2013 Convention Workbook