LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 113

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS . 115

To Appoint Committee to Study
Functions of Auxiliary Offices

RESOLUTION 3-07A

Report R6-02 (CW, pp. 121-22); Overtures 3-18-21, 3-
23-29, 3-31A-C, 3-33A—35, 3-38, 6-16-17 Cm, pp. 185—
92, 273)"

Wuereas, The Synod has established the category of
“Certified Church Workers, Lay” (Res. 3-05B, 1989 Pro-
ceedings); and

Wuereas, The Synod has expressed its position re-
garding lay ministry in Res. 3-05B; and

WHEREAS, Questions regarding lay ministry have arisen
and overtures have been submitted to this convention con-
cerning the involvement and supervision of laymen in
Word and Sacrament ministry, definition of terms, clarity
of titles, and the relationship between the pastoral] min-
istry and auxiliary offices; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations, in response to concerns raised by the Indepen-
dent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK), has reviewed
Res. 3-05B and has concluded that the provisions of Res.
3-05B regarding the involvement of laymen in Word and
Sacrament ministry are in accord with the teaching of
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, including Art.
XIV of the Augsburg Confession; and

Wuereas, The urgency of our time and the salvation of
humankind compels us to marshal the resources of the
Gospel as effectively as possible; therefore be it

Resolved, That the synodical President appoint a com-
mittee to continue to study and evaluate the functions of
those carrying out ministry in auxiliary offices, including
the relationships of the auxiliary offices to each other and
to the pastoral office; and’be it further

Resolved, That said committee make appropriate rec-
ommendations to the 1995 convention.

Action: Declined (11).

{An amendment calling for deletion of the fourth whereas was
declined, as was an amendment asking for addition of the wordg,
the concept of permanent deacon and in the first resolve between
the words including and the. A motion to consider Overture 3-27,
md Limit Use of ‘Lay Ministers’ in Area of Public Ministry,” was

lefeated.)

To Provide for Ordination of Certain
Laymen Involved in Word
and Sacrament Ministry

RESOLUTION 3-08
Overtures 3-24A-25, 3-30, 3-32A-C, 3-36-37 (CW, pp.
188—92)

Wuereas, Some individuals have for many years been
providing preaching and sacramental ministry in certain
extraordinary situations, even though they have not com;

pleted a synodical seminary program or been ordained; and .

Wuereas, Some of these men have gained experience!
and in many cases have had additional education—which
suggests that they be recognized in a way that goes beyond
the licensure by District Presidents which was authorized
at the 1989 synodical convention (Res. 3-05B); and

Wuereas, The 1989 convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod resolved:

That a committee be appointed by the President of
the Synod to study the question of whether laymen
performing functions of the pastoral ministry should,

' in fact, be “ordained.” In what circumstances and
with what requirements? Should the Synod, in fact,
establish “alternate routes” into the pastoral office?

. (Res. 3-12, B, “Ordination of Nonseminary Trained

' Men Serving in Word and Sacrament Ministry. Al-
ternate Route to the Pastoral Office”); .
and
Wuereas, At the request of the Standing Committee for

Pastoral Ministry, the President of the Synod appointed
the Colloquy Committee, augmented by two District pres-

idents, to study these questions; and

' Wuereas, This committee recommends that in certain
cases, it is appropriate and necessary for such laymen to
be ordained; therefore be it

Resolved, That the following paragraph be inserted in
Bylaw 6.97, “Program of Instruction,” after

section f:
&. In the case of men who have served at least 10 years in
Word and Sacrament ministry and are currently licensed
for preaching and administering the Sacrament by a Dis-
trict president, the Synodical Colloquy Committee may it-
self carry out the entire colloquy process. This may be done
only at the request of a congregation holding membership
in the Synod and with the support of the appropriate Dis-
trict president. In such cases, the Synodical Colloquy Com-
mittee may approve the ordination of such laymen who are
found to be well-qualified, or may assign a program of
study at its own discretion and may waive the requirement
of a college degree;
and be it further

Resolved, That the paragraphs currently d denominated

, g'andh be denominated A and i.

_ Action: Adopted (12).

“(An amendment calling for replacement of the words have
served at least 10 years with are serving was declined. A motion
to table was also lost.)

To Study Theology and Practice
of “the Divine Call”

, RESOLUTION 3-09A

Overtures 3-40-42, 3-44, 3-46—49, L3-111 (CW, pp. 192-
95; TB, p. 10)

’ Wuereas, Overtures to this convention have raised sev-
eral issues that emanate from various perceptions and im-
plications re “the divine call,” e.g., initial placement of
candidates, dismissal from office, retirement, the appro-
priateness of the term divine call for those serving in
elected and appointed offices, etc.; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention assign to the Commis-
sion on Theology and Church Relations, in consultation
with the Council of Presidents and representatives of our
Synod’s terminal schools, the preparation of a single doc-
ument that provides answers to the questions and concerns -