LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 238

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238 STRUCTURE AND CONSTITUTION

It is to be noted. for instance. that Hispanic people have a
strong sense of community and as a result find it very difficult
to move out of their environment into an academic community
in a distant city. There are also financial considerations that
play a part in the whole picture. Frequently those persons who
could and would be involved in a training program need to beat
the very same time gainfully employed.

It is also to be noted that sometimes programs are not
implemented because the scope of the project is too large and
complex. It is therefore advisable to initiate a pilot project ina
particular area where the culture of those to be served is
similar.

WHEREAS, The challenge of ministry to Hispanics is clearly
one of enormous size, and our Synod is committed to carrying
out this ministry; and

WHEREAS, There are few workers available for this field, and
bilingual Hispanic workers are rare; and

WHEREAS. The Texas District in convention has vigorously
encouraged alternative forms of ministry to Hispanics, recog-
nizing the special, urgent need for workers in this ministry;
and

WHEREAS, Our present system of preparing our church
workers normally requires a long period of formal study.
usually in a distant state, and has resulted in producing very
few workers for this field, virtually all of whom are Anglo-
Americans: and

WHEREAS, Our desire to serve Hispanics is severely impeded
by a lack of qualified workers; and

WHEREAS, Texas has a large Hispanic population, most of
whom come from similar Mexican-American cultures; and

WHEREAS, One of our colleges. Concordia Lutheran College.
Austin, which is vitally involved in preparing men for ministry
in our church, is already located in Austin. Tex.; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable to start a program of this magni-
tude with a pilot program; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations of the Synod or their elected
or appointed representatives desiring and needing to minister
to the Hispanic population of Texas be authorized to establish
in their midst the office of Called Lay Minister.

Definition: The office of Called Lay Minister, based on the
universal priesthood of all believers and the rights and privi-
leges Christ gave to His church on earth, ‘For all things are
yours” (1Cor. 3:21), is defined as follows:

1. It is an auxiliary office, i.e.. an office that is auxiliary to
the office of the public ministry and the uniquely ministerial
functions of that office; however.

2. The functions of this office shall be essentially the same
as the functions of the office of the public ministry, the
difference being that tenure isn't granted.

3. The office of lay minister shall be under the direct
supervision of the District President of his appointed repre-
sentative, i.e., District Vice-President, Circuit Counselor, neigh-
boring pastor.

4. The qualifications and labors of the person occupying
the office of Called Lay Minister shall be reviewed by the
District President or the appointed representative every other
vear for the continuation or termination of certification. The
rights of appeal, as set forth in the Handbook, shall be
available to all persons affected by such review.

5. Persons having completed the prescribed course of study
for the office of Called Lay Minister and having received a
“call” from a congregation or an appointment from duly

authorized District or synodical persons, boards, or com-
missions shall be certified for the office of Called Lay Minister
by the Committee for Hispanic Called Lay Ministers and
initially placed by the Board of Assignments.

6. After certification, the Called Lay Minister shall be
commissioned by the District President or his representative
and then installed following the same general procedure
currently in use for the installation of a pastor.

7. The Called Lay Minister shall be classified as a Minister
of the Church as an explanation of position and office to the
general public and civil authorities.

8. The Called Lay Minister shall be afforded the right to
participate in the Concordia Retirement and Health plans.

9. The Called Lay Minister shall attend regular conferences
and conventions according to the same rules established for
pastors.

10. The Called Lay Minister may serve as a “clergy”
delegate to District conventions, if so designated by the congre-
gation being served, and as a “clergy” delegate to District
conventions, if so designated by the congregation being served,
and as a ‘clergy’ delegate to the synodical convention, if so
chosen and designated by the electoral circuit. following the
normal election procedure outline in the Handbook; and be it
further

Resolved. That a pilot program initiating the office of
Called Lay Minister be conducted in the Texas District; and be
it further

Resolved. That for the purpose of training men for the office
of Called Lay Minister, Concordia Lutheran College, Austin,
Tex.. be classified as the House of Studies, with basic re-
sponsibilities of administering the prescribed curriculum. This
may be done through extension facilities (called satellites) in
major cities, and with the immediate supervision of designated
pastors and teachers in the same, by Concordia Lutheran
College; and be it further

Resolved, That for the implementation of the office and
initiation of the program of the Called Lay Minister, synodical
Bylaws 2.333, 5.1315.143, and 6.85 a shall not be imposed upon
this program until such a time as the program is fully
operational; and be it further

Resolved. That regular quarterly reports regarding all
phases of the program—personnel, curriculum. financial mat-
ters, progress. etc.—be made to the Board for Professional
Education Services by the District President and or his repre-
sentative; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Professional Education Ser-
vices be free to audit the CLM program and make suggestions
for its improvement, operation, etc., to Concordia Lutheran
College or the Board of Directors of the Texas District through
its District President. and that these suggestions be given most
serious consideration; and be it finally

Resolved, That in order to expedite this pilot program a
Committee for Hispanic Called Lay Ministers be formed,
fashioned after the existing Committee for Lay Ministers as
outlined in Bylaw 5.131 (Handbook, p. 140).

(Attached outline for training program is shared with the
floor committee.)

Board of Directors

Texas District

Glenn O’Shoney, President

Board of Regents

Concordia College, Austin
Glenn O’ Shoney, Chairman