HOUSTON–Delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod here July 17 adopted Resolution 5-05A, introduced by the Floor Committee on Seminary and University Education (Committee 5), “to support pastoral formation.”
In adopting the resolution, the convention affirmed 12 “themes for pastoral education” — developed by the Synod’s Board for Pastoral Education — that pertain to academic readiness, pastoral practice, spiritual formation, mission outreach, understanding church within culture and context, community of faith, service of the baptized, church administration, faithful faculty with pastoral experience, scholarship for the church and to the world, flexibility in approach and delivery of pastoral education, and the international/global component.
The resolution also directs the LCMS Council of Presidents and the administration and faculties of the Synod’s two seminaries and 10 colleges and universities to “study how best to certify clergy and hold them accountable for continuing education.” Those recommendations are to be presented to the next national LCMS convention.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 552 to 306, or 64 percent.
The convention met July 10-17 under the theme “ONE People–Forgiven.” Among the approximately 3,000 participants were some 1,200 clergy and lay voting delegates.
Posted July 17, 2010
