# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S184 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 184 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS ciples in giving assistance and advice to pastors and congregations; and be it further Resolved, That all pastors be encouraged to make use of the many {ine continuing-education courses offered by our Synod’s seminaries, so that the pastors might grow in their ability to serve the Lord and God’s people, whom they are called to serve; and be it finally Resolved, That all congregations encourage their pastors with their prayers and financial support, so that they might be able to take advantage of continuing-education programs. Salem Taylorsville, NC 3-84 To Reject All Attempts to Establish Practice of Temporary Calls WHEREAS, It has become a practice in various Districts of our Synod to encourage and allow the issuance of “temporary calls” to the office of parish pastor in the form of “intentional interim” calls; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missoun Synod from its very inception has repeatedly declared such “temporary calls” to be con- trary to Scripture and contrary to the Lutheran Confessions (see original Constitution of the LCMS, Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, October 1946; Lehre und Wehre, 1898; Pastoral The- ologie, C. F. W. Walther, AC XIV); and WHEREAS, “Temporary calls” (such as calls contingent on re- certification or with definite or undefined, yet implied time limits) are in essence an attack upon Christ, who alone is the head of His church (recertification is an already condemned Romanizing error with a new name) and has established the pastoral office (Manda- tum Dei; Acts 20:28; Eph, 4:8-16; | Cor. 12:28) which no man has the right to overthrow no matter how good the intention is, for the pastoral office belongs to Christ and not to us; and WHEREAS, “Temporary calls” requiring recertification are in its essence an attack upon the Gospel, for pastors would tend to be- come intimidated by the whole process of being recertified and thus become reluctant to speak out against doctrinal abuses, thereby fail- ing to perform one of their God-mandated responsibilities (Acts 20:26-31; | Tim. 3:1~13; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:1—5; Titus 1:5-11; Fritz, Pastoral Theology, pp. 45ff.); and WHEREAS, No human will or decision can nor should dare to set a time limit to God’s will and call; and WHEREAS, A congregation may and should depose (remove) a pastor only when there are scriptural grounds for deposition; and WHEREAS, The Scriptures give only false doctrine (Matt. 7:15-20; Gal. 1:8; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 1:9-11; 2:1-2; John 10), scan- dalous life (1 Tim. 3:1—7; Titus 1:6—-9; | Peter 5:3), and willful ne- glect of duties (Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:5) as just causes for deposing a pastor; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention assembled explicitly disavow, repudiate, and reject any and all attempts to establish the practice of “temporary calls,” whether this be by recertification or some other process, as being contrary to Scripture and contrary to the Lutheran Confessions; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That all District Presidents admonish by letter all con- gregations to be supportive of their pastors as God’s called servants so long as their pastors are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it finally Resolved, That this convention reaffirm the scriptural teaching that pastors may be deposed only for false doctrine, scandalous life, or willful neglect of duties, also resolving that Districts and all Dis- trict officials shall adhere strictly to these principles in giving as- sistance and advice to pastors and congregations. Circuit 2 Forum Ohio District 2001 Convention Workbook 3-85 To Encourage Continuation of Intentional Interim Ministry WHEREAS, Sometimes there are difficult transitional periods in the life of a congregation when the pastor leaves; and WHEREAS, These difficult times often require special skills in working with the congregation, as when a longtime pastor retires, a pastor dies suddenly, a pastor or other church worker leaves due to misconduct, or conflict has plagued the congregation; and Wuereas, The Council of Presidents, working with the LCMS Interim Ministry Conference, has developed and provided training in understanding and skills to establish a cadre of qualified pastors for Intentional Interim Ministry; and WHEREAS, The specialized ministries of these pastors have proven to be a blessing to the congregations served by bringing them healing, renewed fellowship, strengthening through the proclamation of Law and Gospel for their circumstances, and a new sense of mission and outreach; therefore be it Resolved, That we commend the Council of Presidents and the LCMS Interim Ministry Conference for their past efforts in estab- lishing this specialized ministry for our troubled congregations; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage the LCMS Interim Ministry Con- ference to continue its work; and be it further Resolved, That we direct the Council of Presidents to continue these efforts and to report on their progress and the effectiveness of this ministry to the next synodical convention; and be it finally Resolved, That we encourage all congregations with special needs, such as are listed above, to seek the assistance of their Cir- cuit Counselor and District President in acquiring the services of a trained and certified intentional interim minister. Immanuel Pittsburgh, PA 3-86 To Recognize Validity of Intentional Interim Ministry Concept WHEREAS, The process of selecting and calling an Intentional Interim Minister is a cooperative effort between the congregation, the Circuit Counselor, and the District President; and WHEREAS, The goals, duties, and function of the Intentional In- terim Minister are not imposed on the congregation but are agreed upon by mutual conversation and covenanting between the congre- gation, the trained interim pastor, and District leaders; therefore be it Resolved, That Synod in convention recognize the validity of the concept of calling an Intentional Interim Minister by a congre- gation during those times of transition and healing; and be it further Resolved, That gratitude be expressed to God for those laypeo- ple and pastors who have given much study and effort to the de- velopment of Intentional Interim Ministry within the Lutheran un- derstanding of the office of the holy ministry; and be it finally Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to consider call- ing an Intentional Interim Minister during times of transition and/or healing, and to work with Circuit Counselors and District Presi- dents in this process. Eastern District; Circuit 3 of the Michigan District 3-87 To Develop Intentional Interim Ministry Guidelines WueEREAS, Res. 3-17 of the 60th regular convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod established the validity of the Intentional Interim Ministry; and