# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S63
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 63

2-46

To Study Terms of Service of Men
and Women

Wuereas, There appears to be a wide range of practices
among the congregations of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod in the calling of men and women teachers: and

WuerEAS, Such differences are most apparent in the sal-
aries and related benefits offered to men and women teach-
ers; and

Wuereas, Such differences also become visible in many
congregations granting tenure to men, but not to women
teachers; and

Wuereas, Such differences discriminate to the disadvan-
tage of women teachers for whom the expectations of ser-
vice are the same as those for men teachers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1973 New Orleans convention of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod instruct the Board for
Parish Education to institute a detailed study of these mat-
ters; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of such study be brought to
the attention of all the Districts of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That such study include guidelines for equaliz-
ing the terms of service for men and women teachers; and
be it finally

Resolved, That upon receipt of the results of such study
together with appropriate guidelines, all the Districts through
their officials urge the implementation. of equal service for
men and women teachers in the parishes and schools.

ComMISSION ON MISSION AND MINIstRY IN THE CHURCH
L. C. Wuerffel, Chairman

2-47

To Authorize Ordination of Women
to Pastoral Office

Wuereas, Holy Scripture teaches that women exercised
the offices of prophet and judge under the old covenant; and

Wuereas, Holy Scripture teaches that women were prom-
inent in phases of the New Testament ministry; and
; Wuereas, Holy Scripture is casual about precise distinc-
tions between the offices of the Gospel ministry and implies
that the church of the New Testament has freedom to create
offices as needed in the performance of the ministries; and

WHEREAS, Ordination does not confer special character
or privilege upon ministers of the New Testament, but is a
certification of the public Gospel ministry; and

WuereaS, Demands made upon the church in the present
day would often benefit from the unique contributions Chris-
tian women could make: therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod memorialize the LCMS to author-
ize the ordination of trained and qualified women for pas-
toral ministry in the church.

EncuiisH DISTRICT
Robert L. Landeck, Secretary

2-48
To Admit Women to All Offices

Wuereas, The church has extended suffrage to all people
as stated in the Report of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations (LCMS) on “Woman Suffrage in the
Church” (1969) and Detroit convention Res. 2-36 (1965); and

Wuereas, As is stated in Rom. 12: 4-6a, “For just as in a
single body there are many limbs and organs, all with dif-
ferent functions, so all of us united with Christ, form one
body, serving individually as limbs and organs to one an-
other. The gifts we possess differ as they are allotted to us
by God's grace, and must be exercised accordingly”; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That all members are eligible for all offices of
the congregation, as well as the pastoral office.
UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Lawrence, Kans.
Mike Brondos, President
Elwood May, Secretary

2-49A

To Deal with Ordination of Women
at Various Levels

Wuereas. Two thirds of America’s Lutherans have con-
cluded after careful study that the ordination of women is
not contrary to Scripture; and

Whereas, A significant number of delegates to the Mil-
waukee convention of the Missouri Synod opposed the reso-
lution which affirmed that the ordination of women is con-
trary to Scripture: and

Wuereas, Leading students of Scripture are themselves
widely divided on the interpretation of pertinent passages,
and

Whereas, Critical terms such as “ministry” and “ordina-
tion” are even now in the process of being studied and re-
defined by the CTCR: and

Wuereas, The issue at stake is not that of the authority
of Scripture or the literal interpretation of Scripture, but
rather the honest exegetical question of what God intends
to say to us; therefore be it

Resolved, That we affirm that the ordination of women
is not a doctrinal issue among US: and be it further

Resolved, That we continue our own practice with respect
to ordination of women, and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the ALC to continue to study its
position in the light of its practicality and its total impact on
the life of the church; and be it finally

Resolved, That since this question is not doctrinal, to de-

clare the same not to be divisive of church fellowship.

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
New Berlin, Wis.

Arthur Gulrud, President
Christine Schwerin, Secretary
Martin W. Bangert, Pastor

Identical or Similar:

2-49B

Cross Lutheran Church, St.Paul, Minn., Arlin Paulson,
Chairman.
2-49C

Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur, Ind., Morris Kruecke-
berg, President, Raymond Thieme, Secretary.
2-49D

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minnetonka, Minn., Harold
Marquardt, Chairman, Esther Asmus, Secretary.
2-49E

Faith Lutheran Church, Westchester, Ill, Edward
Bruhnke, President; La Verne Meifert, Secretary.
2-49F

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mount Prospect, Ill, Raymond
Avischious, Chairman, Esther S. Busse, Secretary.

2-50A

To Rule on Ordination of Women

Wuereas, The unity of the church is created by the Holy
Spirit through the Gospel; and

Wuereas, There can be differences of opinion on matters
which do not call the Gospel into question; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention of the LCMS in New Or-
leans declare that the question of the ordination of women