RESOLUTION 6-06
Report R62 (CW, pp. 235–261); Overture 6-14 (CW, pp. 360–361)
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod has established various training and degree programs to prepare pastors for service in new ministry settings. Often this has been in response to outreach opportunities as well as to provide pastors in small economically distressed congregations, small isolated congregations, and congregations that present unique demographic challenges. Among 1 these routes have been numerous district training programs for lay deacons, Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO, no longer in operation), the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, the Center for Hispanic Studies (formerly the Hispanic Institute of Theology), the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center, Bilingual Pastoral Formation for Latinos, and various other programs; and
WHEREAS, As congregations of the LCMS continue to navigate the rapidly changing shifts in our society, it will be necessary for the Synod to utilize these and other models of preparing pastors that supplement its residential pastoral formation programs at both seminaries; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations and districts of the LCMS be commended for their desire to provide Word and Sacrament ministry for all the people of God and for Gospel outreach; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS continue its long-standing commitment to a well-trained clergy, formed through its seminaries; and be it further
Resolved, That districts and congregations in cross-cultural settings and in challenging demographic circumstances be encouraged to utilize, when appropriate, the various programs for forming pastors in the Synod, such as the Specific Ministry Pastor program, the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, the Center for Hispanic Studies, the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center, Bilingual Pastoral Formation for Latinos, and various other programs of the seminaries which focus on training pastors for these situations; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod continue its multifaceted efforts to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent any eligible candidate from participating in these programs.