# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S169
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION
In reviewing this chapter of the Handbook the Commission on Structure has determined that it creates a potential liability for the Synod by placing nonrostered workers
under the supervision of District Presidents. The provision
for a nonrostered category of church worker in the Handbook of the Synod is in itself problematic.
To address these concerns, the Synod in convention
needs to (1) change the wording of Chapter VII, and (2) provide for the termination of this category of nonrostered
church workers in an orderly and fair manner during the
coming triennium.
Resolved, That the current wording of Chapter VII of the
Handbook be replaced with the following:
PRESENT WORDING
7.01 General
Congregations that are members of the Synod, and
other eligible entities or agencies, in addition to calling
ordained and commissioned ministers of religion, may
also wish to appoint one or more certified church workers, lay (hereafter referred to as consecrated lay workers), with the knowledge that the Synod seeks to help
the congregations and other entities as they utilize
these consecrated lay workers. For purposes of these
Bylaws, other eligible entities or agencies shall be Districts, seminaries, colleges, and other agencies of the
Synod (Bylaw 2.15), church-affiliated social-ministry organizations, recognized educational institutions, auxiliaries, and other recognized service organizations.
7.03 Eligibility
Men and women who have completed courses of
study prescribed or approved by the Board for Higher
Education and offered by one of the Synod’s colleges or
universities and who have been certified for service by
their respective college or university are eligible for receiving appointments from congregations or other eligible entities or agencies as consecrated lay workers.
7.05 Classification
The classification of consecrated lay workers applies
to the following positions or titles currently in use in
the church:
1. Lay minister
2. Parish worker
3. Lay teachers (teachers opting not to join the
Synod)
4. Director of parish music
5. Lutheran social worker
B. INITIAL ELIGIBILITY
AND ADMISSION OF INDIVIDUALS
7.21 General
1. Consecrated lay workers are individuals who have
been declared qualified for a first appointment and assigned first appointments in accordance with Bylaws
7.23 and 7.25 and received by the rites of both consecration and installation. There is no inherent right to
this position in the Synod, and the decision as to qualification for a first appointment and the assignment of
first appointments shall be in the sole discretion of the
Synod.
2. Each individual shall evidence an intent to accept
the supervision of the Synod promptly after the assignment of first appointment and prior to consecration and
installation. This is to be done by signing and filing
with the President of the District in which this position

169

will be initially held a statement, to be supplied by the
District President, which acknowledges subscription to
the Constitution of the Synod. Upon installation following consecration, the signing of that statement shall be
deemed equivalent to the consecrated lay worker placing himself/herself under the supervision of the Synod.
7.23 Eligibility
1. A graduate of an authorized synodical institution
must be declared qualified for a first appointment and
recommended by the faculty of the respective synodical
institution before the effective date of the first appointment to service in the church, as assigned by the Board
of Assignments as provided in Bylaw 7.25.
2. Candidates who may be declared qualified for
first appointments are those who, before the effective
date of the first appointment, will have satisfactorily
completed the prescribed courses of studies and will
have received diplomas from their respective institutions. In addition, they must have indicated complete
dedication to their ministry and evidenced a readiness
for service in the church. Finally, to be declared qualified and recommended by the faculties for their specific
types of service in the church, the appropriate faculty
must be satisfied that the individual will meet the personal, professional, and theological requirements of
those who hold this position to which the individual aspires.
7.25 Assignment of First Appointments
1. The Council of Presidents, acting as the Board of
Assignments, shall regularly assign to qualified graduates of synodical educational institutions as “first appointments” those appointments that have been duly
extended by authorized congregations and synodical
corporate entities or agencies for consecrated lay workers if positions for which candidates are qualified are
available.
2. Congregations and other eligible entities or agencies seeking to employ consecrated lay workers are encouraged to contact the appropriate placement officers
of the colleges or universities where the programs are
housed.
3. The President of the District in which a candidate
is to be placed shall be consulted, and his suggestions
and recommendations shall be part of the final recommendation to the Board of Assignments.
7.27 Consecration and Initial Installation
1. Prerequisites:
A candidate for one of the positions for which a consecrated lay worker is eligible may be consecrated and
installed in a specific position when the following prerequisites have been met:
a. The individual shall have satisfactorily completed
a course of study prescribed or approved by the Board
for Higher Education and have received an appropriate
degree, diploma, or certificate from a synodical college or
university.
b. The individual shall have given evidence of a
readiness and desire to serve a congregation or other
eligible entity or agency.
c. The individual shall have received endorsement
by the proper faculty as a consecrated lay worker.
d. The individual shall have received and accepted
an appointment from a congregation or other eligible
entity or agency.
2. Rites of consecration and installation:
The President of the District of which the appointing
congregation is a member or in which the eligible ap-

200l Convention Proceedings