LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 190

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190

Seminary and University Education

5-04

5-06

To Continue to Affirm Ministry of Licensed
Deacons

To Affirm and Support Need for Licensed
Deacon Program

Whereas, There is a shortage of pastors available currently to
serve our parishes and a diminishing projection for new pastors for
the future; and
Whereas, Those living in small and remote communities struggle financially to support a full-time pastor, and the licensed deacon
program, approved by the 1989 LCMS convention, has helped ministry to thrive in many of these communities, lifting up the name of
Jesus; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention continue to affirm
licensed deacons and give thanks to God for the great service to the
Kingdom performed by these brothers in Christ.
Peace
Estacada, OR

Whereas, We are a congregation in a small rural community that
is experiencing declining income per capita, which translates into
declining resources for our operating budget; and
Whereas, Our ability, in turn, to call a seminary-trained ordained
pastor for our ministry needs is prohibited at this time by the inability to provide an adequate salary for him; and
Whereas, For three years, licensed deacons under the supervision of ordained pastors have been providing Word and Sacrament
ministry to this congregation of about forty people who would have
otherwise been without these means of grace; and
Whereas, Our ministry needs include teaching our youth and confirming them in the Christian faith; instructing adult newcomers in
the Christian faith; training others from the priesthood of believers
to serve by going out into the surrounding communities and, with the
help of God, forming small groups and planting new churches; as well
as Word and Sacrament ministry; and
Whereas, Two of our members are presently training in the
Leadership Advancement Program offered by the Northwest District
of the LCMS and, when qualified as licensed deacons, will be able
effectively to provide for our ministry needs (including Word and
Sacrament) under the support and supervision of an ordained pastor; and
Whereas, Our area is ripe for spreading the truth of the Gospel and
the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; therefore be it
Resolved, That our Synod in convention affirm and support the
need for the licensed deacon program, along with the development
of specific ministry pastor training.
Trinity
Saint Anthony, ID

5-05

To Affirm Need for Licensed Deacon Program
Whereas, The Synod in convention established the licensed
deacon ministry, thereby enabling congregations not having the
necessary resources to hire a seminary-trained, ordained pastor to
call a trained gifted person to meet their needs, including Word and
Sacrament ministry needs; and
Whereas, We are a Synod that does significant ministry among
rural communities that are experiencing a decline in residency; we
are a Synod with many smaller churches whose membership and
resources are dwindling; and we see a growing inability of these
churches and communities to maintain a seminary-trained, ordained
pastor for their ministry needs; and
Whereas, There are, among the priesthood of all believers in these
communities and churches, persons who are qualified by experience
and knowledge and have been trained to do Word and Sacrament ministry through the licensed deacon program of Synod; and
Whereas, Most ordained pastors have the theological training to
support and supervise licensed deacons in their call to do Word and
Sacrament ministry; and
Whereas, The Northwest District and other districts have a successful track record of having licensed deacons work effectively under
trained pastors to do the ministry they have been called to do; and
Whereas, These districts have seen that most licensed deacons
desire continued training and many have gone to our seminaries
because of their service, yet some will not be able to attend seminary
classes on campus or through the specific ministry pastor (SMP) program due to the cost and time restrictions; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Confessions recognize the right and need
of each congregation to call a man to do Word and Sacrament ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That our Synod affirm the need for the licensed deacon
program to be continued in our Synod along with the development
of SMP training.
St. John
Idaho Falls, ID

5-07

To Affirm and Encourage Use of Supervised
Licensed Deacons
Whereas, The triune God has revealed Himself and recorded His
revelation for us in the Holy Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation
(Gen. 1:1–3; John 20:30–31; Rom. 15:4–7; Rev. 22:6–21); and
Whereas, Holy Scripture documents how the triune God blesses,
calls, selects, delegates, and equips persons to speak for Him and to
serve His purposes, especially patriarchs, prophets, kings, disciples,
apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers, elders and deacons (Gen.
1:26–28; Gen. 12:1–8; Ex. 4:10–17; Is. 6; Matt. 3:1–17; 4:18–22;
10:1–11:1; Acts 1:1–11; Acts 7; 20:17–37; 2 Tim. 2; Titus 1; Heb.
1:1–4); and
Whereas, God continues to multiply His work to, in, among, and
beyond us so we can be Christ’s “witnesses to the ends of the earth”
(Acts 1:1–8) and serve Him better as the “Lord of the harvest” (Luke
10:1–12); and
Whereas, The ministry of pastors and other Spirit-gifted church
workers continues to nurture baptized believers and communing
members and equip them for witness and service (1 Cor. 12 and 14;
Eph. 4:1–16; 1 Peter 4:4–7; 1 Thess. 1:8); and
Whereas, The ministry of ecclesiastically supervised, licensed
deacons, being Spirit-gifted church workers, continues to serve mission areas and small congregations in remote geographic areas in
which no pastor is willing or able to provide Word and Sacrament
ministry; and

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 190

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