# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S144
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

144 RESOLUTIONS

To Reaffirm Position of LCMS
on Service of Women in the Church

RESOLUTION 3-09

Overtures 3-32-3-39, 3-41-3-50 (CW, pp. 119-23) L3-
52 (TB, p. 14)

Wuereas, There are various interpretations regarding
the service of women in the life of the church today; and

Wuereas, The question of the proper role of women in
the life of the church is one which has stimulated much
theological discussion; and

Wuereas, The service of women in the church is a sub-
ject of serious and deep concern in our Synod; and

Wuereas, Our synod seeks to be faithful to what the
Scriptures teach on this subject so that there be God-pleas-
ing harmony within the church; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations has completed its study, “Women in the Church,”
and distributed it widely; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank God for the many gifts and
blessings that He has bestowed on The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod through the faithful service of women; and
be it further

Resolved, That the 1986 convention, of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod reaffirm Res. 2-17 of the 1969
convention, which states that “Those statements of Scrip-
ture which direct women to keep silent in the church and
which prohibit them to teach and to exercise authority over
men, we understand to mean that women ought not to hold
the pastoral office or serve in any other capacity involving
the distinctive function of this office,” and which also
grants permission to the Synod and its congregations to
institute woman suffrage and to permit women to hold
office in the Synod or congregation by election or appoint-
ment; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its position as stated
in the 1970 statement of the Commission on Constitutional
Matters (1971 Convention Workbook, p. 244) which de-
clares that women “may hold voting membership in the
congregation and serve as officers and as members of
boards and committees as long as these positions are not
directly involved in the specific functions of the pastoral
office (preaching, public administration of the Sacraments,
church discipline) and as long as this service does not vi-
olate the order of creation (usurping authority over men)”;
and be it further

Resolved, That we commend and encourage the contin-
ued service of women to our Lord and His church, including
service on the boards, committees, and commissions of the
Synod, districts, and congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in accordance with His will as
set forth in the Holy Scriptures; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod commend to its congregations
for continued study and discussion the CTCR document
“Women in the Church,” as well as the forthcoming report
of the President’s Commission on Women; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod respect those congregations
that have determined that woman suffrage is not expe-

dient in their situation as well as those for whom woman
suffrage is expedient, so that our walk together may con-
tinue in harmony and that we “maintain the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).

Action: Adopted (9).

(Delegates declined a motion to delete the words in the last
resolve, “Resolved, That the Synod respect those congregations
that have determined that woman suffrage is not expedient in
their situation as well as those for whom woman suffrage is ex-
pedient.” Also declined was a motion to substitute the words “ac-
knowledges the right of” for “grants permission to” in the second
resolve.)

To Reaffirm Position of Synod
on Ordination of Women

RESOLUTION 3-10
Overtures 3-40, 3-51 (CW, pp. 121, 123)

Wuereas, The Synod in convention has repeatedly
stated its conviction that the Scriptures prohibit the or-
dination of women into the pastoral office (1969 Res. 2-17;
1971 Res. 2-04); and

Wuereas, This official position of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod is to be upheld by the Synod and
its officers; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations in its report “Women in the Church” has dis-
cussed the Scriptural basis for not ordaining women to the
pastoral office; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its conviction that
the Scriptures prohibit women from holding the pastoral
office or carrying out the distinctive functions of this office
(1 Cor. 11; 1 Cor. 14; 1 Tim. 2).

Action: Adopted (9).

(During discussion of the resolution delegates declined to con-
sider Overture 3-40 as a substitute.)

To Decline Overtures
on New Dogmatics Text

RESOLUTION 3-11
Overtures 3-63-3-65 (CW, pp. 126-27)

Wuereas, The floor committee has considered all ov-
ertures assigned to it and has concluded, for various rea-
sons, that certain overtures should be declined; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the following overtures be respectfully
declined for reasons given:

3-63: Updated Systematic Theology

3-64: Companion to Pieper’s Dogmatics

3-65: A New Dogmatics

Preparation of a new dogmatics text is already in pro-
cess. Concordia Publishing House is coordinating the effort
and plans to utilize recognized confessional Lutheran theo-
logians and scholars.

Action: Adopted (9).