# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S238 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 238 STRUCTURE AND CONSTITUTION It is to be noted. for instance. that Hispanic people have a strong sense of community and as a result find it very difficult to move out of their environment into an academic community in a distant city. There are also financial considerations that play a part in the whole picture. Frequently those persons who could and would be involved in a training program need to beat the very same time gainfully employed. It is also to be noted that sometimes programs are not implemented because the scope of the project is too large and complex. It is therefore advisable to initiate a pilot project ina particular area where the culture of those to be served is similar. WHEREAS, The challenge of ministry to Hispanics is clearly one of enormous size, and our Synod is committed to carrying out this ministry; and WHEREAS, There are few workers available for this field, and bilingual Hispanic workers are rare; and WHEREAS. The Texas District in convention has vigorously encouraged alternative forms of ministry to Hispanics, recog- nizing the special, urgent need for workers in this ministry; and WHEREAS, Our present system of preparing our church workers normally requires a long period of formal study. usually in a distant state, and has resulted in producing very few workers for this field, virtually all of whom are Anglo- Americans: and WHEREAS, Our desire to serve Hispanics is severely impeded by a lack of qualified workers; and WHEREAS, Texas has a large Hispanic population, most of whom come from similar Mexican-American cultures; and WHEREAS, One of our colleges. Concordia Lutheran College. Austin, which is vitally involved in preparing men for ministry in our church, is already located in Austin. Tex.; and WHEREAS, It is desirable to start a program of this magni- tude with a pilot program; therefore be it Resolved, That congregations of the Synod or their elected or appointed representatives desiring and needing to minister to the Hispanic population of Texas be authorized to establish in their midst the office of Called Lay Minister. Definition: The office of Called Lay Minister, based on the universal priesthood of all believers and the rights and privi- leges Christ gave to His church on earth, ‘For all things are yours” (1Cor. 3:21), is defined as follows: 1. It is an auxiliary office, i.e.. an office that is auxiliary to the office of the public ministry and the uniquely ministerial functions of that office; however. 2. The functions of this office shall be essentially the same as the functions of the office of the public ministry, the difference being that tenure isn't granted. 3. The office of lay minister shall be under the direct supervision of the District President of his appointed repre- sentative, i.e., District Vice-President, Circuit Counselor, neigh- boring pastor. 4. The qualifications and labors of the person occupying the office of Called Lay Minister shall be reviewed by the District President or the appointed representative every other vear for the continuation or termination of certification. The rights of appeal, as set forth in the Handbook, shall be available to all persons affected by such review. 5. Persons having completed the prescribed course of study for the office of Called Lay Minister and having received a “call” from a congregation or an appointment from duly authorized District or synodical persons, boards, or com- missions shall be certified for the office of Called Lay Minister by the Committee for Hispanic Called Lay Ministers and initially placed by the Board of Assignments. 6. After certification, the Called Lay Minister shall be commissioned by the District President or his representative and then installed following the same general procedure currently in use for the installation of a pastor. 7. The Called Lay Minister shall be classified as a Minister of the Church as an explanation of position and office to the general public and civil authorities. 8. The Called Lay Minister shall be afforded the right to participate in the Concordia Retirement and Health plans. 9. The Called Lay Minister shall attend regular conferences and conventions according to the same rules established for pastors. 10. The Called Lay Minister may serve as a “clergy” delegate to District conventions, if so designated by the congre- gation being served, and as a “clergy” delegate to District conventions, if so designated by the congregation being served, and as a ‘clergy’ delegate to the synodical convention, if so chosen and designated by the electoral circuit. following the normal election procedure outline in the Handbook; and be it further Resolved. That a pilot program initiating the office of Called Lay Minister be conducted in the Texas District; and be it further Resolved. That for the purpose of training men for the office of Called Lay Minister, Concordia Lutheran College, Austin, Tex.. be classified as the House of Studies, with basic re- sponsibilities of administering the prescribed curriculum. This may be done through extension facilities (called satellites) in major cities, and with the immediate supervision of designated pastors and teachers in the same, by Concordia Lutheran College; and be it further Resolved, That for the implementation of the office and initiation of the program of the Called Lay Minister, synodical Bylaws 2.333, 5.1315.143, and 6.85 a shall not be imposed upon this program until such a time as the program is fully operational; and be it further Resolved. That regular quarterly reports regarding all phases of the program—personnel, curriculum. financial mat- ters, progress. etc.—be made to the Board for Professional Education Services by the District President and or his repre- sentative; and be it further Resolved, That the Board for Professional Education Ser- vices be free to audit the CLM program and make suggestions for its improvement, operation, etc., to Concordia Lutheran College or the Board of Directors of the Texas District through its District President. and that these suggestions be given most serious consideration; and be it finally Resolved, That in order to expedite this pilot program a Committee for Hispanic Called Lay Ministers be formed, fashioned after the existing Committee for Lay Ministers as outlined in Bylaw 5.131 (Handbook, p. 140). (Attached outline for training program is shared with the floor committee.) Board of Directors Texas District Glenn O’Shoney, President Board of Regents Concordia College, Austin Glenn O’ Shoney, Chairman