We cannot continue the Lord's Great Commission without fully equipped pastors.

• The number of pastoral vacancies has increased by an average of 50 per year the past six years.
• At the same time the Synod has resolved to begin 60 new congregations and send out 15 additional missionaries each year.
• In future years the number of retirements among our clergy will escalate as more numbers of second career pastors reach retirement age at the same time as other, longer-term pastors.
• Simply to maintain the status quo requires an increase of 50 additional seminary graduates per year.
• To maintain the status quo plus fill the proposed new congregation and missionary goals require an increase of 125 seminary graduates per year.
• To close the gap of vacancies by 50 per year and fill the proposed new congregation and missionary goals requires an increase of 175 seminary graduates per year.
• To close the gap of vacancies by 50 per year, fill the proposed new congregation and missionary goals, and meet the need that will increase by larger numbers of retirements require an increase of over 200 seminary graduates per year.

Even if current efforts are sustained, the pastoral shortage will continue to grow. If recent trends continue, it is projected that nearly 25% of all LC-MS pastoral offices could be vacant by 2010.

Blessing: Since 1996, the number of incoming first-year seminarians has more than doubled!

Challenge: The annual cost of maintaining the Seminary campus and providing faculty and staff salaries and benefits must grow to provide for the training of these students.

Blessing: Each year, the people of Synod have provided greater amounts of financial support, especially in the area of student aid!

Challenge: As requested by the Synod in 1995, the Seminary has reduced the tuition obligation, paid by the students, to less than 30% of the required amount. Replacing these dollars is a significant task.

Blessing: Private gifts, especially those from estate bequests, remainder trusts, and gift annuities, have assisted with ongoing student aid, maintenance of the campus, and assistance with daily operational costs!

Challenge: The budget of the Synod provides almost no direct subsidies to the seminaries. Estate income, while a great blessing, is highly variable. Consequently, consistent widespread support remains essential.

1. Increase recruitment efforts of qualified first and second career candidates
   • Expand the "Christ Academy" summer learning retreats for high school students
   • Work closely with the administration of the LC-MS to identify men for the ministry
   • Train pastors to identify men for ministry
   • Actively recruit at the college and university level
      
2. Solidify the financial aid support for all ministerial students and their families
   • Establish the "Christ for All Time" Student Support Initiative for individuals, families, and other groups
   • Establish the "Saints to Seminary" Student Support Initiative from LC-MS Congregations
   • Solicit additional endowment funding
      
3. Preserve the careers of current pastors by encouraging the LC-MS to expand pastoral care services and create a "Rejoice and Renew" program
   • 14 day campus-based programs for all pastors and their wives
   • 175 men per year participating
   • Provide salary continuation to each congregation
   • Parish pastors to partner with current students
      
4. Continue the legacy of academic excellence with a plan for an expansion of our library facilities
   • Space requirements for student study areas, additional volumes, and technology are overcrowded
   • Proper pastoral education requires more access to unique Scriptural source documents
   • Appropriate archival facilities for rare and historical documents are needed