# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S31 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 31 5 a. That the Synod commend the position paper entitled “The Ministry in Its Relation to the Christian Church as Seen on the Basis of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions” to its members for reference and guidance. b. That the specific recommendations included in the docu- ment be adopted by the 1973 synodical convention. namely: 1) That the Synod approve the ordination of synodically certified and called male teachers and directors of Christian education. 2) That the President of the Synod be asked to appoint a com- mittee representative of all groups particularly concerned in this matter to consider the implementation of this recommendation in all aspects. and to report to the President. 3) That the President of the Synod appoint a committee of competent persons to examine all ramifications of the question of the ordination of synodically certified and called woman teachers in schools within the Synod. and report to the President no later than 6 months before the 1975 convention of the Synod. E. Women in the Church Woman Suffrage In response to a number of overtures, the 1971 synodical convention requested the commission to reexamine the Synod’s position on woman suffrage in the church (Res. 2-17). That position was set forth in Resolution 2-17 of the 1969 synodical convention which incorporated the recommendations of the CTCR contained in the study document entitled ‘Woman Suffrage in the Church.” After reexamination of the basic questions involved in this matter, the commission concluded that it found no fault with either the exegesis or the conclusions of the CTCR document on Woman Suffrage. The commission's completed statement on this matter is included with this report as Appendix A. Changing Role of Women Resolution 9-22 of the 1971 synodical convention directed the commission to study theological aspects pertaining to the chang- ing role of women in church and society. In order to help the commission understand the implications of this task, the com- mission invited the following panel of church women to share their concerns in this area with the commission: Dr. Lucille Wassman, Mrs. Florence Montz, Mrs. Janet Larson, Mrs. Marlys Taege, Mrs. Signe Carlson, and Mrs. Jean Garton. The commis- sion is continuing to study the concerns as presented by this panel, particularly the Biblical teaching on the relationship between male and female in the church with special emphasis on the meaning of such topics as “subordination,” ‘‘submission,” and “headship.” The commission has maintained a close liaison on this question with the Commission on Mission and Ministry in the Church which was also given responsibilities in this area by 1971 Resolution 9-22. It is the judgment of the CTCR that the matter of women’s role in the church is especially signifi- cant at this time in the history of the church: it therefore plans to devote considerable attention to it in the coming biennium. The commission recommends: 6 That the Synod establish a task force on the role of women in the LCMS. with adequate representation by women. and that this task force report and make recommendations to the Synod 6 months prior to the 1975 synodical convention. Permanent Commission on the Role of Women One of the overtures addressed to the 1971 synodical conven- tion (Overture 2-163) requested the Synod to set up a synodical commission on the role of women. In response to that overture (which was directed to the commission by Res. 2-17 of the 1971 convention), and in view of its recommendation calling for the creation of a special task force, the commission adopted the following statement: The overture points to the importance which the question of the role of women in the church and in society has assumed in our time, and which it is likely to occupy for some time to come. It requests the Synod to set up a permanent synodical commission on the role of women, and specifies both the membership of this commission and its tasks. The CTCR fully agrees that the Synod should study the role of women both theologically and sociologically, and that it should speak to the question realistically and forthrightly. It is, however. of the opinion that a permanent synodical commission on the role of women as proposed in Overture 2-163 is neither necessary nor advisable. Ordination of Women The question of whether women may hold the pastoral office has been treated at various times by the CTCR in recent years. Its 1969 document entitled ‘‘Woman Suffrage” states the com- mission’s position on the subject; however, it does not contain the detailed rationale which led to that position. A study of the question was again undertaken in 1970 in connection with the Lutheran Council study on the ordination of women. After reviewing the council’s materials and findings, the commission declared that it found the essential issues treated adequately in the Commission on Theology’s document on woman suffrage and reaffirmed the Synod’s position that women ought not hold the pastoral office (cf. 1971 CTCR Report, Convention Workbook. p. 32). Because of the importance of this matter for our inter- Lutheran relationships, and because of requests that materials be made available to the church for study of this question, the President of the Synod asked the CTCR to prepare appropriate study materials. This assignment has not yet been completed. However, the commission does call attention to the fact that essays dealing with this subject were presented in meetings of the ALC-LCMS Commission on Fellowship: it is hoped that these essays will be shared with the Synod prior to the 1973 convention. F. Abortion The commission presented its document entitled ‘Abortion: Theological, Legal, and Medical Aspects” to the 1971 synodical convention. In addition to commending that document for study and guidance, the convention stated its conviction that ‘willful abortion” is “contrary to the will of God” (Res. 2-39). The con- vention also directed the commission ‘to continue to study the subject of abortion,” asked the commission to consult a docu- ment on abortion prepared by the Commission on Social Con- cerns, and requested the commission to consult with a com- mittee representing a cross section of Missouri Synod women in the course of this study (cf. Res. 2-49). These directives have been carried out by the commission. The commission is also happy to report that its aforementioned document on abortion continues to be requested by a number of civic and church groups throughout the country. The commission intends to continue to review the issue of abortion and produce additional materials on the subject, giving attention to provisions for pastoral guidance, taking into account the continually changing situations in society and in law, and including women and representatives of the Commission on Social Concerns in the production of these materials. G. “True” in Catechism 1971 Resolution 2-35 called for the inclusion of the word “true” in the inter-synodical translation of Luther's Small Catechism in the section on the Lord's Supper (“it is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ’). Because of the press of time, the 1971 convention did not act upon this resolution but referred it to the Board of Directors, who requested the CTCR to study the matter and report to the 1973 convention. The com- mission offers the following recommendation: 7. WHEREAS, The translation of the Catechism was made by an inter-synodical committee working with care and concern that Lutheran doctrine be preserved: and WHEREAS. A text common to all Lutherans is a desirable goal: and WHEREAS, Two conventions of the Synod have concluded after study and debate that no false doctrine is involved. but only a question of translation and English style: and WHEREAS, However. continuing interest shows that many in the Synod feel that there is a loss in the omission of the word “true” in the inter-synodical translation: therefore be it Resolved. That no change be made in the text of the inter- synodical translation of Luther's Small Catechism: and be it further Resolved. That the Board of Parish Education and Concordia Publishing House be asked in future use or printing of the inter- synodical translation of the Small Catechism to add a footnote at the appropriate place calling attention to Luther's words. “Es