# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S152
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

152

RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The synodical President did indeed impanel a
committee to study this issue, and that committee has issued its report and recommendation; and
WHEREAS, This report has insufficient evidence to justify
the proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, The underlying concern which has been identified by the Nomenclature Committee stems from confusion caused by various understandings of the Doctrine of
the Ministry; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR has issued a report in 1981 titled,
“The Ministry: Offices, Procedures and Nomenclature,”
which deals in part with the Doctrine of the Ministry;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention acknowledge receipt of the report and recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee and thank them for their work; and be it
further
Resolved, That the recommendations and conclusions of
the Nomenclature Committee report be declined at this
time; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend to the
congregations and professional church workers the CTCR
document, “The Ministry: Offices, Procedures and Nomenclature” for study that the Synod might open dialog and
come to a clearer understanding of the Doctrine of the Ministry.
Action: Adopted (9)

To Commend President Barry
RESOLUTION 7-15
Overture 7-134 (CW, p. 279)
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has
explicitly stated that the President has the responsibility
to exercise supervision over the doctrine taught in our
Synod, as well as supervision on how the true doctrine is
put into practice (Bylaws 3.101–105); and
WHEREAS, Our Synod understands that only as true doctrine is taught and practiced will unity of the true faith be
maintained (1995 Handbook, pp. 9–11; Art. II–Art. VI 7;
Art. XI B 1–2); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Barry has sought to fulfill his responsibilities by producing some scriptural, orthodox, confessional,
and helpful booklets which address certain key doctrinal
areas (i.e., Catechesis in the Lutheran Congregation, The
Nature and Basis of Lutheran Worship, etc.); therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
delegates in the 1998 synodical convention rise and sing the
Doxology in thanks to God for blessing our Synod with a
faithful synodical President.
Action: Adopted (9)

To Address Candidate Status
RESOLUTION 7-16A
Overtures 7-86–87 (CW, p. 266)
WHEREAS, “Candidate status” is a designation for those
who are eligible to perform the duties of any of the offices of
ministry specified in Bylaw 2.15 but who are not currently
performing those duties on a regular basis and who are not
emeriti; and

WHEREAS, Candidate status is meant to be a short-term
or temporary designation which is not to exceed two years
unless an extension is granted by the Council of Presidents;
and
WHEREAS, There are a large number of requests from
those on candidate status for extensions beyond the twoyear time limit; and
WHEREAS, Candidate status, in practice, has resulted in
persons being able to retain roster status in spite of an inability or unwillingness to receive or accept a call into active service; and
WHEREAS, The result of this practice has caused many
who have candidate status to become in some way stigmatized, even though they are in all ways eligible to receive a
call, to serve in professional church work, and it is their
hope to again serve their Lord in ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That the “candidate” status be reserved for
those qualified individuals who are desirous of receiving a
call and are ready to reenter the active roster; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed to
evaluate those who currently are designated with candidate
status and establish appropriate designations for those who
for some reasons are not desirous of a call, or are in some
way unable to fulfill a call; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed to
establish guidelines and proposed Bylaws and amendments
which, per Bylaw 15.01 2, will be drafted by the Secretary
of the Synod, reviewed by the CCM, and adopted by a twothirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. This is to be
reported to the church and to the 2001 synodical convention by the Secretary of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (9)
(By common consent the words for pastors and teachers and
associates in ministry were deleted from the first whereas. The
floor committee deleted an before appropriate and distinct following it, made designation and reason plural, and added the
word are before not in the second resolve.)

To Make Circuit Forums Optional
RESOLUTION 7-17
Overture 7-84 (CW, p. 265)
WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 5.31 requires each Circuit to
hold a forum at least twice a year; and
WHEREAS, Some Circuits find such forums more beneficial than other Circuits; and
WHEREAS, The failure to hold semiannual forums does
not appear to be detrimental to those other Circuits; and
WHEREAS, Insisting on a practice considered unnecessary
can create negative attitudes toward District and national
Synod; and
WHEREAS, Consciously ignoring some specific requirements may well encourage apathy in other areas; therefore
be it
Resolved, To replace the current final sentence of synodical Bylaw 5.31, which reads, “The Circuit Forum will meet
at least twice a year,” with the following: “The Circuit
Forum will meet at least once triennially to elect Circuit
Delegates to the national convention and in addition is encouraged to meet at least twice a year.”
Action: Adopted (5)