LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 177

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Theology and Church Relations
of the role of women in the church nor has any further report been
issued by the CTCR except for a report on the meaning of the Greek
word “authentein,” which drew no conclusions concerning application in the contemporary church (see 2007 Convention Workbook,
pp. 377–80); and
Whereas, The 2007 LCMS convention received overtures, including several from entire districts, calling for 2004 Res. 3-08A to be
rescinded, rejected, or repealed; for its implementation to be suspended; or for further study to be given to its subject matter (see 2007
Convention Workbook, pp. 175–82); and
Whereas, The Synod responded in part by deciding to “await the
CTCR comprehensive report on the scriptural relationship of man
and woman to be completed in 2008” (Res. 3-07, 2007 Convention
Proceedings, p. 122); and
Whereas, The CTCR did not complete this study during 2008,
and the CTCR’s executive director has stated that the commission’s
work on this assignment focuses “not so much on specific questions
about the service of women in the church—topics covered in other
CTCR documents—but on the scriptural relationship of man and
woman both within and outside of marriage and church-service contexts” (Reporter, November 2008, p. 2); and
Whereas, the Synod is not in agreement about the role of women
in the church and the practical application of the various resolutions
of the Synod concerning women’s roles; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Missouri District express its desire to see the
Synod seek a God-pleasing resolution and lasting solution to the
understanding of women’s roles in the church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Missouri District memorialize the Synod to
rescind 2004 Res.3-08A and anything based on it, such as policies
or administrative procedures; and be it further
Resolved, That the Missouri District memorialize the 2010 LCMS
convention to assign the CTCR the task of fulfilling the mandate
given it in 1995 Res. 3-06A; and be it further
Resolved, That the Missouri District memorialize the 2010 convention to assign the task of giving input to the CTCR concerning the
role of women in the church to the faculties of the Synod’s two seminaries by addressing “open letters” to the CTCR and making them
available to the entire Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Missouri District memorialize the 2010
convention to assign the CTCR to review critically all of the recommendations in its 1994 report and their basis in its 1985 “Women in
the Church” document in light of the seminary input mentioned above
and the input of other concerned members of the Synod and in light
of the scholarly studies concerning relevant biblical passages (many
aided by ancient literature databases) that have appeared since 1985.
Missouri District; Carrollton Circuit Forum, Missouri District;
Trinity, Freistatt, MO; Zion, Moberly, MO
3-29

To Offer Biblical Rationale for Opposing
Combat Roles for Women
Whereas, At creation Adam was given the responsibility for
dominion over the earth and headship over against his relationship
with Eve, even to the point of being himself responsible for the fall
into sin (Rom. 5:12ff.); and
Whereas, Holy Scripture consistently affirms male headship
(1 Cor. 11:7–9; 1 Tim. 2:12–13) on the basis of Gen. 2:18–25; and
Whereas, Woman was created out of man and was designed to be
“a helper fit for him” (Gen. 2:18); and
Whereas, Holy Scripture views a primary vocation of woman
being that of the home, caring for her husband, and raising and nurturing her children (Prov. 31:10–31); and

177

Whereas, A husband is admonished to love his wife sacrificially
(Eph. 5:25ff.) and to honor her as the weaker vessel (1 Pet. 3:7), which
implies woman’s God-designed need for protection; and
Whereas, By having women defend men in war, God’s design
is violated and the glory of woman is diminished (1 Cor. 11:7); and
Whereas, Assigning women to combat roles will involve them
in our present cultural perversion of the roles of male and female as
conceived by the Creator, and would be a misuse of women in violation of the Creator’s purpose for them; and
Whereas, Given the present “war on terror,” and the nature of
Islamic religious teaching about women and radical Islamic philosophy, women captured in combat would face serious danger,
physically, mentally, and emotionally; and
Whereas, A clearly articulated position on this matter on the part
of the Synod would give valuable assistance to our young women who
are considering military service careers; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Synod in convention direct the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to address these concerns, offering a clearly reasoned biblical and theological rationale
for opposing women in combat roles in our nation’s military services; and be it further
Resolved, Due to the immediacy of the “war on terror,” that this
report from the CTCR be offered at the next LCMS convention.
Carrollton Circuit Forum,
Missouri District
3-30

To Agree That Female Readers in Public Worship
Are Divisive and Offensive
Whereas, Our Lord Jesus through St. Paul calls on us to “mark
those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you
have learned and avoid them” (Rom.16:17); and
Whereas, Jesus has reserved for the Holy Office of the Ministry
eligible males only to lead and teach His flock (1 Tim. 2:8–15; 3:1–
13; 1 Cor. 14:33–38); and
Whereas, Jesus has taught us through St. Paul in Rom. 10:13ff.
both how the office is established and what it accomplishes by His
grace, so that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

and the result of such sending and preaching and hearing will be:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”;
and
Whereas, On the basis of Romans 10 and other passages of
Scripture, we believe, teach, and confess as set forth in Augsburg
Confession Article V:
German text: Concerning the Office of Preaching To obtain such
faith God instituted the office of preaching, giving the gospel and the
sacraments. Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit
who produces faith, where and when he wills, in those who hear the
gospel. It teaches that we have a gracious God, not through our merit but
through Christ’s merit, when we so believe.
Latin text: Concerning Ministry in the Church So that we may obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the
sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and the sacraments as
through instruments the Holy Spirit is given, who effects faith where
and when it pleases God in those who hear the Gospel, that is to say, in
those who hear that God, not on account of our own merits but on account of Christ, justifies those who believe that they are received into
grace on account of Christ. Gal. 3 [:14b]: “So that we might receive

2010 Convention Workbook

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