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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 379

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

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES
Resolved, That Synod congregations and rostered workers pray
with heartfelt fervor and regularity to the Lord of the harvest to send
laborers into His harvest (Matt. 9:38); and be it further
Resolved, That Synod congregations and rostered workers turn
with renewed vigor to the recruitment of able and apt men for the
pastorate of the Synod (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) and encourage and
support them in completing the residential M.Div. program at
CTSFW or CSL; and be it further
Resolved, That Synod congregations and their members
generously support the work of CTSFW and CSL in providing a
theologically rich, residential M.Div. program for the education,
formation, and training of future pastors of the Synod; and be it
further
Resolved, That no man be encouraged by pastors or
congregations in the Synod to seek theological education,
formation, and training for the pastoral office except at CTSFW or
CSL; and be it further
Resolved, That the district presidents with ecclesiastical
oversight over the congregations and rostered workers advocating
for, recruiting for, and teaching in LHOS and the CMPL, and using
their graduates in church work offices admonish those
congregations and rostered workers for placing at risk their own and
the Synod’s faithfulness in the things of God; for breaking love by
intentionally working against the Synod’s objective to recruit and
train pastors and the agreed-upon means of achieving that objective,
which harms love by militating against doing all things decently and
in order (1 Cor. 14:40); and for inviting false doctrine from and
ecclesial association with heterodox church bodies, which militates
against the Lord’s will that the church be kept in unity of faith and
confession (Rom. 16:17); and be it further
Resolved, That unless the congregations and rostered workers
advocating for, recruiting for, teaching in, and receiving church
workers from LHOS and CMPL heed the admonition of the district
president under whose ecclesiastical supervision they stand, such
rostered workers be placed on restricted status (Bylaw 2.13.2) as
having violated the conditions of membership (Const. Art. VI); and
be it further
Resolved, That district presidents follow to their end the
processes surrounding restricted status; and be it finally
Resolved, That if the district presidents fail to fulfill their duty to
the Bylaws on behalf of the Synod toward those who persist in
advocating for, recruiting for, teaching in, and employing as church
workers graduates from LHOS and the CMPL, the President of
Synod exercise his duty under Const. Art. XIII and Bylaw section
2.15.
Pastors’ Conference
Indiana District
Ov. 6-25

To Seek Koinonia on Pastoral Formation
and Routes to Ministry
WHEREAS, Jesus instructs us that the “harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out
workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2 NIV); and
WHEREAS, The issue of pastoral formation has received much
attention in both official and unofficial forums over the last decade;
and

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WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized the need for
collegial debate, collaborative decision-making, and consensus
building, enshrining “the example of the apostolic church”, “Acts
15:1–31,” in the Constitution Preamble; and
WHEREAS, The witness of Scripture and the Early Christian
Church was that “after there had been much debate” (Acts 15:7) on
the controverted matter regarding the circumcision of Gentile
converts a decision was made; and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach us to love one another and seek
unity (1 Peter 1:3–8; Col. 3:12–14; Eph. 4:3); and
WHEREAS, The November 2025 report of the three-person
Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) “Policy Requirements for the
Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program” (files.lcms.org/dl/f/smppolicy-requirements) has generated even more controversy, both for
those who seek greater flexibility and those desiring greater
limitation; and
WHEREAS, Concern has been generated by the development of
non-Synod approved training programs by members of the Synod;
and
WHEREAS, A variety of gatherings have sought to discuss the
issue of pastoral formation outside a structured Koinonia process,
leading to much conversation but little “mutual conversation and
consolation of the brethren” (SA III IV); and
WHEREAS, A review of Synod resolutions shows a rich history
and adaptive practice concerning pastoral formation and routes to
ministry; and
WHEREAS, The Koinonia Project provides members of the Synod
with a means through which we pray God will give greater harmony
in our Synod’s “Life Together” by showing where there is
agreement and disagreement, and identifying how we as a church
can move toward greater unity in teaching and practice; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the spirit of
koinonia (fraternal conversation) throughout all the members and
entities of the Synod concerning pastoral formation and routes to
ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP), the office of the
President (OTP), and the PFC establish a process as described in
Acts 15 of not less than two years that allows for much fraternal
discussion and edification with respect to pastoral formation and
routes to ministry, including residential and contextual
methodologies; and be it further
Resolved, That the PFC, in cooperation with the COP and the
OTP, utilizing past resolutions, reports, and current best practices
in educational methodologies and outcomes, produce a joint
document to be presented to facilitate a broad-based koinonia in a
manner that allows for appropriate theological reflection, study, and
feedback for implementation; and be it further
Resolved, That this process and document would also facilitate a
rich discussion on the policy requirements for the SMP program in
light of and in conjunction with an ongoing participation in the
general ministry certification; and be it further
Resolved, That this process would preferably involve face-toface discussions within circuits and districts between leaders,
including laymen, that reflect the divergent and diverse positions
with the process and the participants to be determined by consensus
of the COP, OTP, and PFC; and be it finally

2026 Convention Workbook