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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 412

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

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

412

church workers to seek ways to subsidize their salaries to alleviate
any financial strain and stress upon their families.
North Dakota District
Ov. 6-81

To Mandate Continuing Education
for Parish Pastors
WHEREAS, The Divine Call to the pastoral office is a sacred gift
from the Holy Spirit, who appoints overseers through the Church
(Acts 20:28), and once a pastor is certified, examined, ordained, and
installed, no human authority can impose conditions that imply the
call’s insufficiency or place undue burdens that undermine the
freedom of the Gospel; and
WHEREAS, Scripture nevertheless exhorts pastors to ongoing
diligence in study and growth: “Do your best to present yourself to
God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) and “Let the wise
hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain
guidance” (Prov. 1:5), recognizing that faithful ministry requires
continual honing of skills amid changing cultural, doctrinal, and
pastoral challenges; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), in
its Constitution (Const. Art. XII 7), bears responsibility for
supervising doctrine, practice, and the welfare of its member
congregations, including protecting them from pastors who,
through neglect of ongoing formation, may falter in equipping the
saints (Eph. 4:12) or guarding against false teaching (Titus 1:9),
without impugning the validity of the Divine Call itself; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has long recognized the value of
continuing education, as evidenced by programs such as PostSeminary Applied Learning and Support for new pastors and
resources from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, which provide advanced
degrees, workshops, and theological formation to enhance
ministerial effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, Past Synod conventions have successfully passed
resolutions emphasizing pastoral education and formation, such as
2019 Resolution 6-04, “To Support, Encourage, and Expect
Continuing Education for all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Pastors,” which affirmed the Synod’s desire for all pastors to
engage in continuing education from ordination onward, and 2013
Res. 5-08B, “To Establish a Standard for Continuing Education of
Pastors,” which created a framework for qualified continuing
education experiences and portfolios, providing precedent for
further strengthening these efforts; and
WHEREAS, At the 2023 Synod convention, resolutions such as
those addressing seminary formation and church worker well-being
(e.g., 2023 Res. 1-07, “To Address Mental Health among Pastors
and Other Professional Church Workers”) underscored the Synod’s
commitment to holistic support for pastors, including ongoing
education to prevent burnout, doctrinal drift, or skill atrophy; and
WHEREAS, Comparable professions requiring continuing
education, such as physicians (50 hours every two years in many
states, psychologists (36 hours), and physical therapists (30 hours),
demonstrate that mandatory continuing education safeguards public
welfare without diminishing professional authority, and similarly,
mandating pastoral continuing education would align with these

2026 Convention Workbook

standards to protect congregations while honoring the Divine Call
by fostering excellence in ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the LCMS Office
of Pastoral Education, in collaboration with the Council of
Presidents and the seminaries, to develop and implement mandatory
continuing education requirements for all active parish pastors,
including a minimum of 20 hours every three years in categories
such as exegetical theology, systematics, preaching, pastoral care,
outreach, and administration, with flexibility for district-approved
equivalents; and be it further
Resolved, That pastors shall report completion of these
requirements to their district presidents as part of the triennial
visitation process, with provisions for extensions in cases of
hardship, and that non-compliance without cause may result in
restricted status (Bylaw 2.13.2) or remedial support, ensuring
accountability while respecting the permanence of the Divine Call;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations to support
their pastors’ participation through funding and time allowances,
and that resources be made available at low or no cost to facilitate
broad access, thereby advancing the Synod’s mission to “conserve
and promote the unity of the true faith” (Const. Art. III).
Christ
Milford, MI
Ov. 6-82

To Encourage Congregations to Establish
Sabbatical Policy for Church Workers
WHEREAS, Church workers (rostered and lay) dedicate their lives
to ministry, often facing significant demands that can lead to stress
and burnout; and
WHEREAS, The biblical principle of rest and renewal, as seen in
the Sabbath and the sabbatical year, underscores the importance of
periodic restoration for those in ministry; and
WHEREAS, Sabbaticals provide church workers with
opportunities for extended rest, personal renewal, and professional
development, enhancing their effectiveness and longevity in
ministry; and
WHEREAS, Well-planned sabbaticals lead to increased creativity,
refreshed vision, and overall well-being for church workers,
benefiting both them and their congregations; and
WHEREAS, A structured sabbatical policy, including eligibility
criteria, duration, financial support, and reintegration planning,
ensures the effectiveness and sustainability of such initiatives;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod encourage every congregation to
establish a formal sabbatical policy for church workers, outlining
eligibility, duration, and guidelines for implementation; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Synod make available resources to assist in
the creation of these policies.
Board of Directors
Eastern District