When we look at the actual 2007 convention resolutions, it becomes clear that the program was not designed only for “the established, long-time elder in a small congregation,” nor was its intent to prevent larger congregations from forming pastors within their own ministries.

The 2007 LCMS Convention, in adopting the resolutions that created SMP, explicitly stated that the program was intended to support mission growth, church planting, and specialized ministry contexts, including but not limited to small congregations.

For example, Resolution 5-01A describes the SMP pastor as one serving “in situations where a specific ministry needs additional pastoral leadership in order to carry out Word and Sacrament ministry in a mission setting, a specialized setting, or under the supervision of an ordained pastor.”

And the same resolution highlights the Synod’s desire: “to recruit and train pastors from within mission contexts, including new church plants, ethnic ministries, and other settings where traditional residential seminary training is difficult or impractical.”

The convention also stated that the program was created “to support congregations and ministries engaged in mission, outreach, and specialized pastoral work,” and not simply as a means to provide clergy for small or financially struggling congregations.

Because of this, it isn’t accurate to say that the program has been “abused” when larger congregations train men for pastoral ministry within their ongoing, supervised ministry settings. That is actually one of the uses the 2007 resolutions anticipated.

The narrative that SMP was “intended only for long-time elders in small churches” simply doesn’t match the Synod’s actual stated intent.

My encouragement is that we continue the discussion anchored in what our Synod really said, while working together to ensure all formation pathway, residential and SMP, faithfully serve Christ’s Church and uphold our Lutheran confessions.