# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S106
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

106 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

3-141

To Continue Study of Role
of Women in Church

WHEREAS. Divergence of opinion exists as to the role of
women in the church: and

WHEREAS. Activities of women in the church once considered
illegitimate among us are now considered legitimate (e. g..
various types of teaching. voting rights): and

WHEREAS. Fostering activities of women in the church by
means of arguments of expediency can lead ultimately to further
confusion and conflicts of conscience: and

WHEREAS. Only referral action was taken at New Orleans on
Resolution 2-49 (To Establish a Task Force on Women’s Role),
and the resultant delay in implementing the resolution is limiting
the work of the Task Force now at work: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod. through appropriate agencies
(the new Task Force, the Commission on Mission and Ministry).
continue its study of the role of women in the church, including
the following areas:

a) the cultural place of women in the various societies in
which the church carries on its ministry:

b) all the various instruction from Scripture that is applicable
le. g.. Col. 3:18: Eph. 5:21-33: 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 5:3-16: Titus 2:3-5:
Gal. 3:27-28: 1 Cor. 7:1-40; 11:2-16: 14:33-36):

c) the relation of teachings and practice with respect to
women’s role and status in the church to the Gospel and dogma
of the church (esp. the relation of ‘orders of creation” to church
laws, customs, and orders):

d) the special gifts and needs of women in the church: and
be it further

Resolved. That the Synod recognize the role of Christian
forbearance as well as the exercise of Christian freedom where
disagreement about specific roles and status continue to exist
(ef. Rom. 14 and 15).

Faculty

Concordia Teachers College
River Forest, Ill.

Merle L. Radke. Secretary

3-142

To Authorize Ordination of Women
to Pastoral Office

WHEREAS, St. Paul is the champion of women's right to pray
and prophesy in the church (1 Cor. 11:5) and women's equality
with men in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:28) in a society that was oppres-
sive to women and in which it was the custom for only men to be
church members: and

WHEREAS. God is omnipotent, is not limited by the dictates
and customs of men. and has the power to create new orders in
His continuing care of His creation: and

WHEREAS, Jesus Himself permitted women to preach and
evangelize (Luke 2:38; Matt. 28:8; Luke 24:9-11: John 20:17-18),
which was also the custom in the New Testament church (Acts
21:9: 1 Cor. 11:5: Rom. 16:1-2); and

WHEREAS. The present prohibition by the Missouri Synod of
the ordination of women was formulated and approved by men
without the equal representation of women. who constitute a
majority of the membership of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod: and

WHEREAS. Women are presently functioning as ordained min-
isters in Lutheran and other Christian churches throughout
the world: and

WHEREAS, Qualified women within the Missouri Synod are
presently claiming a holy call into the ordained ministry and are
frustrated in using this gift of the Holy Spirit by Resolution 2-04
of the Milwaukee convention: therefore be it

Resolved. That the 1975 Anaheim convention of The Lutheran
Church— Missouri Synod amend the Constitution of the Synod
to allow women who have been called by God and given the
gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry in the church as ordained

clergy to fulfill this God-given call and no longer frustrate the
will of God.
Hope Lutheran Church
Milledgeville. Ga.
Charles Riley, President
Ruthild Pinero, Secretary

3-143

To Declare Women's Ordination
Not Divisive

WHEREAS, The great majority of our fellow Lutherans in
America and throughout the world have concluded that ordina-
tion of women is not contrary to Scripture: and

WHEREAS. Our own Synod's stance on the understanding of
Scripture texts believed to speak to this question has undergone
change in recent years: and

WHEREAS. The differences of opinion on this subject result
from arriving at differing exegetical conclusions rather than
doctrinal differences: therefore be it

Resolved:

1. That we declare that differing opinions on this subject are
not divisive of fellowship:

2. That we continue our present practice even as we continue
to study the question, asking the Spirit's guidance: and

3. That we urge the ALC to continue to study its position as
we search together for a common understanding of the issues.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Minnetonka, Minn.

Harold W. Marquardt, Chairman
Ruth L. Maertens, Secretary
Arden H. Malotky, Pastor

3-144

To Take Position on Ordination
of Women

WHEREAS. The practice of ordaining women to the office of
pastor is becoming more and more widespread: and

WHEREAS. The ordination of women to the pastorate consti-
tutes women having authority over men: and

WHEREAS, It is contrary to Holy Scripture for women to have
authority over men: therefore be it

Resolved. That this convention declare unqualified subscrip-
tion to the clear Word of God: and be it further

Resolved. That women not be placed in authority over men
by placing them in any way in the pastoral office or in any other
office where they have authority over men: and be it finally

Resolved. That we give thanks to God for the many other
areas where women can and do serve our Lord faithfully and
unstintingly and in ways not at variance with the Holy Scrip-
tures.

Christ Lutheran Church
Creighton, Nebr.

Vernon A. Jensen, President
Fred H. Bohren, Secretary

3-145A

To Continue to Oppose Women’s
Ordination

WHEREAS, The American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran
Church in America are ordaining women to the holy ministry:
and

WHEREAS. Various Districts and pastoral conferences in The
Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod are supporting the ordina-
tion of women to the holy ministry: and

WHEREAS, The New Testament states clearly and sufficiently
that the practice is prohibited and that the ministerial office is
to be conferred only on men: 1 Cor. 14:26-37; 1 Tim. 2:11-14;