# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S179
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

administrative, some ministering to physical needs of
people; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
recognizes that all of these functions belong to one office
even though they may be performed in greater or lesser
degree in various positions created within the Synod;
and

WHEREAS, It therefore becomes advisable for the
Synod to declare unequivocally which positions are
regarded by the Synod as contributing vitally to dis-
charging the office of the public ministry; and

WHEREAS, From the beginning of its history the
Synod has recognized the unique ministry of its pastors
and teachers, as distinguished from .its lay church
workers, by permitting its pastors and teachers to hold
individual membership in the Synod, a privilege not
extended to laypersons; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod approve the attached classifications of positions
serving the membership of the Synod as well as the
world in behalf of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod declare emphatically that
both “Ministers of Religion, Ordained” and “Ministers
of Religion, Commissioned” are regarded fully by the
Synod as ministers of religion, entitled to be regarded as
such by all, in recognition of the fact, that even though
the functions between and within these two categories
may differ, all these functions contribute vitally to
discharging the office of the public ministry; and be it
finally

Resolved, That consequently all “Ministers of Reli-
gion, Ordained” and “Ministers of Religion, Commis-

STRUCTURE AND CONSTITUTION 179

sioned,” as distinguished from persons in other “Church
Worker” categories as attached hereto, shall be entitled
to and shall be required to be members on their own of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod together with
congregations which hold membership in the Synod.

Classifications of Positions in the Synod
I. Minister of Religion, Ordained

Eligibility: Graduation from and certification by a
synodical theological seminary (or equivalent pre-
scribed by the Synod—colloquy)

Ordained upon acceptance of a call issued through
synodical Board of Assignments

Continuing eligibility dependent—

1. On filling one of the positions specified by the
Synod in its Bylaws (parish pastor, District or
synodical officer, professor, etc.)

2. On meeting criteria of the Synod for continuation
temporarily on the Synod’s clergy member roster
as a c.r.m. (candidate)

These are the only persons eligible for parish
pastorate

Must become and remain a member of the Synod

Classification open only to men

Synonymous terms: clergyman, pastor

II. Minister of Religion, Commissioned

Eligibility: Graduation from and certification by a
synodical college following a synodically prescribed
course of study (or equivalent prescribed by the Synod—
colloquy)

Commissioned upon acceptance of a call issued
through synodical Board of Assignments for one of the
following positions: ,

1. Teacher: Lutheran elementary, secondary, or
college

2. Director of Christian Education: congregation

Continuing eligibility dependent—

1. On filling one of the positions specified by the
Synod in its Bylaws (parish teacher, District or
synodical officer, professor, etc.)

2. On meeting criteria of the Synod for continuation
temporarily on the Synod’s teacher member roster

' as a candidate

Must become and remain a member of the Synod -

Classification open to men and women

Synonymous terms: teacher, teaching minister,
minister of education

IH. Certified Professional Church Worker, Lay

Eligibility: Graduation from and certification by a
synodical college following a synodically prescribed
course of study (or equivalent prescribed by the Synod—
colloquy)

Consecrated and/or installed upon acceptance of
first call issued through the synodical Board of Assign-
ments for one of the following positions:

1. Deaconess

2. Lay Minister