To Address Needs and Opportunities for Pastoral Ministry in Specialized Situations

Overtures L3-138; 3-92 99 (TB, pp. 32-36, CW, pp. 186 89)

The 1998 synodical convention called for a Task Force to study the need for "Pastoral Assistance Where Full-Time Ministry Cannot be Maintained" and to review a number of possibilities that would address the concern discussed at the 1998 convention. The Task Force was convened "to create a church worker position that will respond to the urgent needs identified by the consultation group."

Reports from Districts and parishes indicate a growing need for pastors in specialized situations. Mission opportunities abound in the Districts, and urban and ethnic ministries to first-generation immigrants are an increasing challenge. In one District alone, the Gospel is proclaimed in more than twelve languages. These peoples need called and ordained pastors speaking in their own languages. In addition, smaller and more remote congregations are just holding on or declining in size. Districts (e.g. Eastern, Kansas, Mid-South, Minnesota South, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and South Dakota) report that these small congregations are often unable to call or support an ordained pastor in the usual manner. DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination), as currently structured, is not a solution for all needs, because many laymen already in ministry do not meet the minimal age and educational requirements for entrance into the program. Several Districts are configuring new designs and training "professional ministers" to help congregations with special needs. Furthermore, rural issues and an aging population, including an aging clergy (only 8% of LCMS pastors are age 35 or younger), pose challenges in our changing communities. Finally, there are more vacancies, fewer available pastors, and an increasing number of retirements, leaving congregations and immigrant ministries needing pastors.

The challenge is to supply ministry of Word and Sacrament to these congregations, many of which are already part of a two-point parish. Shared pastoral staffs are used in some situations. "Hub" ministries and "circuit riders" work in some areas. However, some congregational conditions prevent the arrangement. There are small congregations that are geographically isolated. There is difficulty in procuring pastoral services from nearby congregations. With a shortage of pastors, it is urgent and critical that the Synod provide assistance to serve in these situations. Dr. Alvin Barry shared the conviction that the dire need for additional workers must be addressed without delay.

According to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions the preaching of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments require a pastor with a regular call (Jer. 23:21, Rom. 10:15, Heb. 5:4, AC XIV). A regular call requires training and examination in the sense of 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. In addition, St. Paul cautions against placing anyone into this office hastily (1 Tim. 5:22). Recognizing these Scriptural and Confessional imperatives, the Synod in its 1995 convention (Res. 3-07A) directed that any layman who is licensed to perform pastoral functions under the previous guidelines (1989 Res. 3-05B) be required to apply for admission into the pastoral ministry of the Synod.

The Synod has designed a number of programs for training men for the office of Pastor. These include not only the M.Div. seminary program but also alternate routes and especially DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination).

WHEREAS, One of the stated purposes of the Synod is to "recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers" (Synod Constitution, Art. III, 3, 1998 Handbook, p. 9); and

WHEREAS, The Synod continues to be committed to Biblical and Confessional principles and practices in providing men for the office of the public ministry; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force to Provide Pastoral Assistance Where Full-Time Ministry Cannot be Maintained has highlighted pressing needs for pastoral care in specialized situations; and

WHEREAS, The 1995 convention of the Synod (Res. 3-07A) resolved that laymen ". . . licensed to perform pastoral functions . . . be required (if he wishes to continue preaching and leading in public worship) to apply for admission into the pastoral ministry of the Synod"; and

WHEREAS, Synod's DELTO (Distance Education Leading To Ordination) program was originally designed to provide:

ordained pastoral service to congregations that cannot support a full-time pastor, ordained pastoral service to contexts where English is not spoken, ordained missionary personnel where finances and/or conditions do not permit calling a full-time missionary, and enhanced congregational life as the congregation participates in the growth of its DELTO student. (BHE "What is DELTO?" Sept. 2000); and

WHEREAS, DELTO as it is currently structured has not yet adequately met the needs identified by the Task Force; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank the Task Force for their diligent efforts to analyze the pastoral needs in specialized situations; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod authorize its districts to continue training lay deacons as directed by the spirit of the 1989 Wichita Res. 3-05B in which trained lay ministers serve under the supervision of an ordained pastor; and be it further

Resolved, That in order to help address the needs to recruit and train more ordained pastors an oversight committee composed of members of the Board for Higher Education, the seminaries, and the Council of Presidents, in conjunction with district and local representation, revise DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination); and be it further

Resolved, That this convention rescind 1995 St. Louis convention Res. 3-07A (requiring such licensed laymen to complete a seminary program for ordination); and be it further

Resolved, That we pray the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth laborers into His harvest (Matt.9:37-38); and be it finally 

Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be used to help carry out "The Great Commission" and shall not in any way detract or distract from the primary mission of God's Kingdom here on Earth. We will remember 1-02!

Action: Adopted (9)

(When the floor committee introduced its own Res. 3-08B (see Today’s Business, p. 235) in session 5, the above resolution was introduced and accepted for consideration as a substitute resolution. Discussion was postponed until Res. 7-17 could be considered by the convention and was resumed during session 9. It was noted that a two-thirds vote would be necessary for adoption since the fourth resolve rescinds a previous convention action. The substitute motion did not receive a two-thirds majority and was therefore declared failed [yes: 586; no: 526]. The convention then agreed to reconsider the substitute motion and, subsequently, to amend it by deleting the fourth resolve. After it was clarified that the substitute motion did not require a two-thirds majority because notice of intent to rescind the previous convention action had been given since it was included in the floor committee's proposed resolution, the chair ruled that the substitute motion had been carried by majority vote at the time of the previous vote [yes: 586; no: 526] and that all subsequent actions were null and void. A revote on the substitute motion because some confusion existed among the delegates sustained the earlier decision of the convention [yes: 603; no: 533] and the substitute motion was declared adopted without amendment. The final resolve is added as required by Res. 1-02, adopted by the convention in an earlier session.

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