Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 396
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 396

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

396

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

become the principal rule with respect to the preparation and
ordination of pastors; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has further urged that seminaries, districts,
congregations, and pastors consistently encourage and strive to
make provisions for prospective SMP students to consider entering
residential pastoral formation programs; and
WHEREAS, Clarity regarding the appropriate use of the SMP
program serves both the integrity of pastoral formation and the unity
of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The use of the SMP program for staffing associate
pastor positions, multi-site congregations, or satellite worship
locations where residential seminary formation is a reasonable
option risks transforming an exceptional pathway into a normative
staffing model, contrary to the stated intent of the Synod (2013 Res.
5-04B); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the SMP program is
intended for clearly defined and limited ministry contexts and is not
to be used where a congregation or ministry setting could
reasonably support a pastor formed through residential seminary
programs (2013 Res. 5-04B); and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod clarify that the SMP program is not
intended to function as a routine means of staffing associate pastor
roles, multi-site congregations, or satellite ministry locations where
residential pastoral formation is feasible; and be it further
Resolved, That districts and district presidents be encouraged to
apply SMP policies consistently and in harmony with the Synod’s
stated intent that the SMP program remain an exceptional pathway
rather than a normative staffing solution; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful specific
ministry pastors who serve under call in appropriate contexts, while
continuing to uphold the integrity, unity, and catholicity of pastoral
formation for the sake of Christ’s Church.
Trinity (Decatur Rd)
Fort Wayne, IN
Ov. 6-52

To Affirm and Support Established Parameters
of Specific Ministry Pastor Program
WHEREAS, The Synod established the Specific Ministry Pastor
(SMP) program to address ministry needs in specific contexts where
residential seminary formation is not feasible; and
WHEREAS, The SMP program was intentionally designed as a
limited and contextual pathway, distinct from the Master of Divinity
program, which provides comprehensive formation including
extensive study of Holy Scripture, theology, pastoral practice, and
supervised formation; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed that alternative
pastoral formation programs exist to serve exceptional
circumstances and are not intended to replace residential seminary
education; and
WHEREAS, The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC), acting
under authority delegated by the Synod (Bylaws 3.10.4–3.10.4.7;
2016 Res. 6-01; 2019 Res. 6-02, 6-03A; 2023 Res. 6-03A), provides
ongoing oversight of pastoral formation pathways to ensure
faithfulness to Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and Synod
intent; and

2026 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently maintained that the SMP
program is to be understood as an exceptional pathway and not as a
general or normative staffing model for congregations; and
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture exhorts ministers to rightly handle the
“word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); and
WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession teaches that no one should
publicly teach or administer the Sacraments without a rightly
ordered call and proper preparation (AC XIV); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod affirm the SMP program as a valuable
but exceptional pathway intended for clearly defined ministry
contexts under carefully established parameters; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the SMP program is not
intended to function as a normative staffing solution where
residential seminary formation is reasonably feasible; and be it
further
Resolved, That districts and congregations be encouraged to
adhere faithfully to Synod-approved SMP policies and to prioritize
residential seminary formation whenever feasible; and be it further
Resolved, That the PFC be encouraged to continue regular
oversight of the SMP program to ensure it remains consistent with
its original purpose and stated intent; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for faithful SMP
pastors who serve under call for the sake of Christ’s Church.
Trinity (Decatur Rd)
Fort Wayne, IN
Ov. 6-53

To Suspend New Specific Ministry Pastor
Admissions pending Conformity
with the Synod in Convention
Preamble
The Synod in convention established the Specific Ministry Pastor
(SMP) program (2007 Res. 5-01B, “To Establish Specific Ministry
Pastor Program”, Proc., 133–138) as a flexible and exceptional
pastoral formation pathway to address particular ministry needs and
special circumstances, replacing the DELTO program and
permitting a broad range of “specific ministries.” From its
inception, the program was not intended to function as a general or
parallel route into the Office of the Holy Ministry, but as an
accommodation to limited and specific situations.
In the years following its implementation, concerns arose regarding
the scope, definition, and application of the SMP program. In
response, the 2013 Synod convention acted deliberately to narrow
and clarify the program’s permissible use through Resolution 504B, “To Continue and Strengthen Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP)
Program” (Proc., 139–40). That resolution explicitly directed
district presidents not to approve SMP ministry sites that could
reasonably be expected to support a general pastor or where the
duties could be fulfilled by a minister of religion—commissioned,
and reaffirmed that residential theological education remains the
primary means for training men for pastoral ministry in the Synod.
Experience since the adoption of these restrictions indicates that the
limitations established by the Synod in convention have not been
consistently observed, and that the SMP program has been utilized
in contexts beyond those authorized. This has resulted in ongoing
confusion regarding the nature of “specific ministry,” weakened