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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 413

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

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES
Ov. 6-83

To Encourage Ministry Sabbaticals
for Church Workers
WHEREAS, Ministry sabbaticals serve to bless both the church
worker and the ministry; and
WHEREAS, The Word of God points to the command for Sabbath
rest (Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:8–11; Lev. 25:4f.); and
WHEREAS, Many Christian denominations strongly encourage
pastors to take sabbaticals, recognizing the importance of periodic
rest and renewal for sustained ministry effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, A ministry sabbatical is a structured time for spiritual
reflection, study, personal development, and rest for church
workers; and
WHEREAS, There is historical precedent in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod going back to the first Synod President,
C.F.W. Walther, who in 1859 took a much-needed ministry
sabbatical to be refreshed and renewed (“Walther’s Breakdown,” in
Matthew C. Harrison, ed., At Home in the House of my Fathers”
[CPH, 2011], 142–45); and
WHEREAS, Walther’s example of returning with renewed energy
and great productivity blessed the Synod; and
WHEREAS, Currently we are seeing a decrease of seminary
graduates, directors of Christian education, and Lutheran school
teachers available to fill a growing number of calls and a growing
number of church workers retiring; and
WHEREAS, A ministry sabbatical is an investment in a local
ministry to reinvigorate the ministry and the church worker,
strengthening it for future ministry; and
WHEREAS, Ministry sabbaticals can help church workers combat
burnout, refresh their perspective, and return to ministry with
renewed energy and focus; and
WHEREAS, Even some in the business world have recognized the
benefit of offering sabbaticals to retain good workers; sabbaticals
can also enable retention and longer service in churches; and
WHEREAS, Since COVID-19 we have seen higher expectations
placed on church workers with decreased participation and a steady
decline in many places, leading to discouragement and burnout
among current church workers; and
WHEREAS, The need to continually cultivate longevity among
current church workers is beneficial to the whole church; therefore
be it
Resolved, That ministries study the benefits of ministry
sabbaticals on their workers; and be it further
Resolved, That all districts provide a template for a ministry
sabbatical policy guideline for ministries to adapt and adopt to their
circumstances; and be it further
Resolved, That ministries be encouraged to set aside funding
regularly to support their church workers in taking a sabbatical; and
be it further
Resolved, That all districts work together to put together a list of
available grants and scholarships which help provide necessary
funding for a ministry sabbatical; and be it further
Resolved, That all districts avail themselves of available
resources within Synod, including those provided by Lutheran
Church Extension Fund (through Grace Place Wellness), to explore

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and promote healthier church workers and healthier ministries; and
be it finally
Resolved, That all districts identify pastors in the area who could
be contacted for possible service during the sabbatical.
Florida-Georgia District
Ov. 6-84

To Establish Commissioned Male Diaconate
WHEREAS, A commissioned female diaconate graduate level
training program was authorized by the Synod in 2001 (Res. 5-06B)
and established in 2002 to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through
a ministry of works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the
Christian faith, as inspired by the example of Phoebe from the
Scriptures (Rom. 16:1–2); and
WHEREAS, This program has yielded great success in training
many women for mercy work in our Synod; and
WHEREAS, Not all men are called to be pastors but may be called
to serve in a diaconate role; and
WHEREAS, Scripture also provides us with the examples of
Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and
Nicolaus as male deacons who engaged in acts of spiritual service
(Acts 6:1–7); and
WHEREAS, The Church is encouraged to ensure that deacons are
tested and well-qualified (1 Tim. 3:8–13); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod’s seminaries (Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne) include
men for commissioned diaconate education and certification for the
purpose of training qualified men to engage in the ministry of works
of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith.
Our Savior
Laurel, MD
Ov. 6-85

To Standardize Vacancy Pastor Remuneration
Guidelines
WHEREAS, There are over 500 vacancies in our Synod at any
given time with the average vacancy duration approaching three
years; and
WHEREAS, These congregations call upon neighboring circuit
pastors or retired pastors to assist with those vacancies locum tenens
(to hold the place of); and
WHEREAS, The number of pastors available to serve a vacancy is
decreasing; and
WHEREAS, Congregations need guidance from the circuit visitor
or district president to determine appropriate remuneration for
pastors serving the vacancy, especially if the duties of preaching,
teaching, catechizing, and visiting hospitals and the homebound are
divided up among several pastors, each taking a particular role in
serving the vacant congregation; and
WHEREAS, The current practices manifest widely divergent pay
scales between adjacent districts, affecting vacant congregations
within the same metropolitan area; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP) be directed to
review current practices synodwide for the remuneration of pastors
serving vacancies; and be it further

2026 Convention Workbook