# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S442
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

442

ROUTES TO MINISTRY

13-10

To Affirm Council of Presidents Implementation
and Oversight of 1989 Res. 3-05B Licensed Lay
Deacons
Whereas, The 1989 Res. 3-05B framed the licensing of districttrained (locally trained) lay deacons (LLDs) for Word and Sacrament
ministry in the context of Articles V and XIV of the Augsburg
Confession; and
Whereas, The Council of Presidents (COP) over the years has
established and reviewed a useful and adaptive structure for the licensing and ecclesiastical supervision of lay deacons; and
Whereas, Said policies and guidelines set out by the COP (section 5 in the present COP manual) clearly uphold the Office of the
Holy Ministry and its relationship to the Body of Christ, while also
affirming the ministry of well-trained and supervised LLDs; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 convention commend with thanksgiving
the COP for its careful and effective implementation and oversight
of 1989 Res. 3-05B; and be it further
Resolved, That the policies and guidelines for licensing and supervision, etc., of LLDs as drafted in the COP manual be commended to
all members of the Synod for the purpose of education and acknowledgment that our beloved Confessions are indeed being upheld in this
regard; and be it finally
Resolved, That the convention affirm the ongoing training, licensing, supervision, and use of lay deacons in the respective districts of
the Synod in the manner outlined by the present policies and guidelines of the COP for the up-building of Christ’s Church and the care
of His people.
Trinity, Utica, MI; Trinity, Lansing, MI; Marco, Marco
Island, FL; King of Kings, Omaha, NE; Amazing Grace,
Oxford, FL; California-Nevada-Hawaii District; Redeemer,
Fresno, CA; Michigan District; Grace, Visalia, CA;
Pacific Southwest District; St. John, Dublin, OH; Circuit
3, California-Nevada-Hawaii District; Messiah, Lincoln,
NE; First, Hanford, CA; Grace, Monroe, MI; Prince of
Peace, Orlando, FL; First, Charlotte, MI; Outer Drive Faith,
Detroit, MI; Orlando West Circuit, Florida-Georgia District;
The Rock, Seward, NE; Christ, Mantua OH; Our Savior,
Arcadia, CA

Whereas, Pastors who supervise the work of Licensed Lay
Deacons (LLDs) are well within their scope as “episkopos” or “presbyteros,” as deacons also serve as auxiliary to the one Office of the
Holy Ministry; and
Whereas, LLDs serving under supervising pastors are doing so
under the direction and blessing of the self-governing congregations;
and
Whereas, Deacon training programs have provided a useful and
even economically efficient means to equip laity to serve pastors and
congregations in a variety of ministries, including cross-cultural; and
Whereas, Many who have received the training as an LLD have
then been led to seek ordination through one of our Synod’s fine seminaries; and
Whereas, With careful oversight by the district president, faithfully enforcing the policies and guidelines for the use of LLDs as
provided in the COP manual regarding the tasks of supervising pastors, etc., there need be no concerns or debate concerning Article XIV
of the Augsburg Confession; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention again affirm and
encourage the proper training and licensing of lay deacons in districts
that desire to provide such training and oversight; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents who have ecclesiastical oversight impress upon those ordained pastors who supervise LLDs the
need to be diligent and faithful in their supervision; and be it further
Resolved, That LLDs who serve in geographically remote or
ethnically diverse settings and are therefore without the benefit of
immediate pastoral supervision be directed to seek ordination through
colloquy, through the SMP, EIIT, CHS, or other appropriate routes
provided by the Synod in order to continue service in that setting;
and be it finally
Resolved, The Synod in convention thank the Res. 4-06A Task
Force for its report.
Trinity, Utica, MI; Immanuel, Grand Rapids, MI; Circuit
35, Michigan District; Board of Directors, Michigan
District; First, Hanford, CA; Grace, Monroe, MI; First,
Charlotte, MI; Outer Drive Faith, Detroit, MI; Redeemer,
Fresno, CA
13-12

To Support Licensed Deacons

13-11

To Encourage Continued Training
and Licensing of Lay Deacons
Whereas, Deacons are noted in the Holy Scriptures in such passages as Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8−15; and
Whereas, One of those selected in Acts 6 was Stephen, the first
recorded Christian martyr, being stoned to death after delivering a
clear exposition of God’s work of salvation through the promised
Messiah, Jesus Christ (Acts 6:8−7:60); and
Whereas, Philip was also one chosen as a deacon in Acts 6, whom
God later used to evangelize in Samaria (Acts 8:4−8) and even baptized the Ethiopian convert along the Gaza Road, then onto Azotus
and Caesarea (Acts 8:26−40); and
Whereas, Ordained pastors supervise vicars, faculty, staff, and
volunteers who serve the flock of God as extensions of the one Office
of the Holy Ministry; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, Licensed deacons are important to many congregations and essential in others; and
Whereas, The power in Word and Sacrament ministry is in God’s
Word, not ordination; and
Whereas, The authority to do Word and Sacrament ministry is in
the call, not ordination (AC XIV); and
Whereas, Licensed deacons spread the Gospel and minister to
the people of God; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention encourage recruitment
of licensed deacons; and be it further
Resolved, That each district be encouraged to provide the training
and supervision for licensed deacons; and be it finally
Resolved, That the convention thank the licensed deacons for their
service.
Trinity
Republic, WA