# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S127
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

126 RESOLUTIONS

not recognize the ordination these graduates received as
qualifying them to serve as pastors in the Synod and
coes not list their names on the clergy roster of the
Wuereas, Unendorsed graduates of Seminex have not
as yet met the requirements for service as pastors in The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled at
Anaheim declare that these unendorsed graduates con-
tinue to remain ineligible for ordination and pastoral
ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod also in loving concern ask
these graduates, for the sake of unity and peace in the
church and their own welfare, to seek proper endorse-
ment for ordination and pastoral service according to the
procedures which the Synod may at this convention
devise for the future.

Action: None. See Res. 6-04 and 6-05.

To Give Counsel to Congregations
That Have Called and Installed
Pastors Who Are Ineligible and

Unendorsed for the Ministry
in the Synod

RESOLUTION 5-06

Overtures 5-78, 5-79, 5-93A—5-102 (CW, pp. 239, 243—
246)

Preamble

It has long been recognized that a Christian congrega-
tion has the inherent right and responsibility to choose,
call, and ordain such a person as it selects to serve as its
pastor. It must also be recognized, however, that every
congregation which voluntarily joined The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has made a solemn convenant
with its fellow-member congregations to abide by the
Constitution and Bylaws adopted by the Synod, includ-
ing, but not limited to, Article VI of the Synod’s Consti-
tution and Sections 4.01 and 4.15 of the Synod’s Bylaws,
as that Article and those sections relate to the selection,
calling, ordaining, and installation of pastors.

To walk together in Christian love and unity, and to
receive the benefits to be obtained from accomplishing
the objectives described in Article HI of the Synod’s
Constitution, it is essential that all member congrega-
tions have the comfort and assurance that the pastors
called by them will preach and teach the Word of God in
all its purity, and will administer the Sacraments accord-
ing to Christ’s institution. Only if the processes adopted
by the Synod are followed for the ordination and installa-
tion of pastors, can member congregations have assur-
ance that the person called by any of them will be sucha
pastor.

Whereas, There are congregations who voluntarily
joined the Synod but who, through apparent misguidance
or the overwhelming desire to satisfy their need for a
pastor, have chosen and installed as their pastor a person

who has not followed the Synod’s defined processes for
receiving proper endorsement for ordination and instal-
lation (Synod’s Bylaw 4.15); and

Wuereas, The congregation has the power to take
such action as will result in its compliance with Article
VI of the Synod’s Constitution and Sections 4.01 and 4.15
of the Synod’s Bylaws; therefore be it

Resolved, That, while acknowledging the congrega-
tion’s right to exercise the Office of the Keys according to
the Holy Scriptures, the Synod in convention plead with
each such congregation to remember its covenant with
all other congregations in the Synod and to do all within
its power to change its situation so that it will be in
accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod
with regard to calling, ordaining, and installing its
pastor.

Action: Adopted as amended (6).

(Amendments: 1) to change title from “To Admonish and to
Give Counsel and Directions . . .” 2) to insert “while acknowledg-
ing ... Holy Scriptures” into the resolved.)

To Clarify Status of Missouri Synod
Clergy Persons Called by
Congregations as Assistant Pastors
Who Serve as Seminex Professors

RESOLUTION 5-07
Overtures 5-170, 5-173 (CW, pp. 266—267)

Wuereas, A number of congregations have called
Seminex professors as assistant pastors in order to ena-
ble them to remain on the clergy roster of the Synod; and

Wuereas, Such action does not meet the roster re-
quirements of Bylaw 4.33 and 4.15 (cf. also ruling of the
CCM of May 16, 1974 entitled “Constitutional Ruling on
Parishes Calling Men to Serve as Seminex Instructors”
CW, p. 481); and

Wuereas, Professors now teaching at Seminex are
teaching at an institution not recognized by the Synod
(Bylaw 4.33 ft.); therefore be it

Resolved, That those persons called by congregations
as assistant pastors to be Seminex professors and/or who
are already Seminex professors can be retained on the
clergy roster of the Synod only as candidates on a renew-
able annual basis under the terms of Bylaw 4.37.

Action: Adopted (11).

(Discussion was begun in Session 6 and continued in Session
11. At that time, after declining to strike the word “Seminex” in
the title and body of the resolution, the convention adopted Res.
5-07 by a standing vote of 565 to 411.)

To Support the Opinion of the CCM
(Removal of District Presidents
from Office)

RESOLUTION 5-08
Overture 5-111 (CW, p. 248)

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters