# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S568
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

568

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

6. The fathers of our Synod found in America the greatly
prized liberty of determining their own polity as a free church in
a free country. They established the system of voters’ meetings
now in vogue among us in order to regulate and administer the
congregation’s affairs.

7. With minor variations of procedure the subjects of delibera-
tion and action in such voters’ meetings are still what they were in
our fathers’ days: “matters of doctrine (Acts 15), election or ap-
pointment of church officers (Acts 1:15-26; 6:1-6; 2 Cor. 8:19);
church discipline (Matt. 18:17-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:6-11;
1 Tim. 5:20) public offenses (Acts 21: 20-22); quarrels among mem-
bers (1 Cor. 6:1-8); matters of good order and ceremonial (1 Cor.
14: 26-40; 16:1, 2), and the like.” (Walther and the Church [Saint
Louis: CPH], p. 95 ff.)

8. In the early church matters of discipline, at any rate, were
handled in the full congregational meeting, with only the men
speaking. For this reason, and on the general conviction that in the
discussion and action with regard to matters so vitally connected
with the church’s life and welfare—as those listed in par. 7
above — and which can be disassociated from the church’s worship
service only with great difficulty, it follows that under these cir-
cumstances the Pauline veto of woman’s voice in teaching and
directing men applies also here. Consequently it has been the
general practice of our congregations to withhold voting privileges
from women. This has not precluded asking the opinion of women
in the congregation in any matter of the church’s program.

9. Our church has prospered under this system. Through par-
ticipation in the business of the local congregation there has been
trained a steady stream of able and enlightened laymen who have
become strong leaders in the work of our congregations and Synod.
At times, indeed, because of sinful human weakness, some meetings
have been tumultuous and quarrelsome, below the dignity of Chris-
tian gentlemen. But at least the meetings were not an arena for
battles between the sexes.

10. Our women generally have not been resentful about their
exclusion from this voting membership as it has developed in our
congregations. In faith and love they gladly exercise their rights
as members of the royal priesthood, in this respect through the
natural administrant sex to which the Scripture assigns the ruling
function in the church. They, too, have read, and they willingly
heed, the Pauline texts. Their Spirit-prompted urge to serve the
church has not been wanting in opportunities for activity. There