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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 391

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

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES
Ov. 6-43

To Reaffirm Residential Seminary Formation
as Preferred Route for Pastoral Preparation
WHEREAS, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, exist for the purpose of forming
pastors through comprehensive residential education, communal
life, faculty mentorship, and supervised pastoral formation; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has affirmed residential seminary
formation as the most complete means of preparing men for the
general responsibilities of the pastoral office; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized residential
formation as the normative path for preparation for the pastoral
office, with alternative routes serving defined and limited purposes;
and
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture emphasizes careful preparation for the
ministry of Word and Sacrament (Acts 6:4; Titus 1:9); and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions affirm the church’s
responsibility to maintain good order in doctrine and practice
through faithful oversight of the pastoral office (FC SD X);
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm residential seminary
formation as the preferred and normative route for preparing men
for the pastoral office; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents, circuits, and congregations be
encouraged to recommend and support qualified men for residential
seminary study, including vocational encouragement and financial
assistance; and be it further
Resolved, That the seminaries be encouraged to continue
addressing concerns regarding the accessibility and feasibility of
residential formation; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod pray for an increase in vocations to the
pastoral office, trusting the Lord of the Church to provide faithful
shepherds.
Trinity (Decatur Rd)
Fort Wayne, IN
Ov. 6-44

To Reaffirm Residential Seminary Formation
as Preferred Route for Pastoral Preparation
WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church confesses the Holy
Scriptures as the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule
of faith and practice (Const. Art. II 1); and
WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church accepts the
Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord as true expositions of
Holy Scripture and as correct exhibitions of the church’s doctrine
(Const. Art. II 2); and
WHEREAS, The Synod requires pastors to vow before God and
their congregations to preach, teach, and conduct their ministries in
faithful conformity to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions (Lutheran Service Book Agenda, 166); and
WHEREAS, Faithful pastoral ministry requires not merely an
acquaintance with the biblical text through secondary sources, but
the ability to read, translate, and interpret Holy Scripture for
preaching, teaching, catechesis, and pastoral care; and
WHEREAS, Faithful pastoral ministry requires not merely a
familiarity with the Lutheran Confessions, but sustained

391

commitment to them as the theological framework within which
pastors carry out their duties (2016 Res. 6-02); and
WHEREAS, The unity of the Synod is better cultivated when
future pastors are formed in a residential setting that enables them
to live out the liturgical life of the church and experience an
extended time of “mutual conversation and consolation of the
brethren” (SA III IV) that will prepare them to conduct ministry
within the shared doctrinal framework of the Lutheran Confessions
(2023 Special Presentations, “The Biblical and Reformation
Heritage of LCMS Pastoral Formation,” Lawrence R. Rast, Jr.,
Proceedings, 107–9; “Our Residential Seminaries: Deep Pastoral
Formation and Worldwide Impact,” Thomas J. Egger, Proceedings,
109–11); and
WHEREAS, Concordia Theological Seminary and Concordia
Seminary have each been forming pastors committed to both the
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions through comprehensive
residential education, communal life, faculty mentorship, and
supervised pastoral formation for over 175 years (2019 Res. 6-06;
2013 Res. 5-16); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm residential seminary
formation as the preferred route for preparing men for the pastoral
office (cf. 2016 Res. 6-03; 2019 Res. 6-02; 2023 Res. 6-02A; 2023
Res. 6-03A); and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents, circuits, and congregations be
encouraged to recommend and support qualified men for residential
seminary study, including vocational encouragement and financial
assistance (2023 Res. 6-02A); and be it further
Resolved, That the seminaries continue addressing concerns
regarding accessibility and feasibility of residential formation; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod pray for an increase in candidates for
the pastoral office, trusting the Lord of the Church to provide
faithful shepherds (Luke 10:2).
Faculty
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
Ov. 6-45

To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1
to Regularize Non-residential Routes
under Specific Ministry Pastor Classification
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions state “… that nobody
should preach publicly in the church or administer the sacraments
unless he is regularly called” (AC XIV, Tappert, Latin) and that
ordination is an essential component of a regular, ordered call (Tr
67; 69–71); and
WHEREAS, Membership status and limitations noted in Bylaw
2.13 apply requirements and limitations on specific ministry pastors
that include:
• eligibility to serve only in a specific ministry context;
• remaining under supervision by a general pastor;
• ineligibility for call outside of the context of his call;
• ineligibility to serve as a voting delegate to the national
convention;
• ineligibility to be elected or appointed to any office at the
district and Synod level assigned to a pastor or ordained
minister;

2026 Convention Workbook