LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 232

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232

OPINIONS OFV. RES.
COMMISSION
3-10A TASK
ON FORCE
CONSTITUTIONAL
REPORT MATTERS

The task force discussed this information at length, listened to
proposed solutions that came from individuals on candidate and noncandidate status, as well as from task force members, and formulated
recommendations. Short of changing Synod’s bylaws that will accommodate the placement of candidate status ministers as they do for first
call graduates, we must continue to follow the existing call processes.
However, there are ways for the church to assist those who will lose
or have lost their call in a manner that cares for the ministers and their
families during their time without call.
Final Recommendations of the Task Force
1.

Military and institutional chaplains and returning missionaries should
notify their respective district president as soon as possible when leaving their current call. Graduate students on candidate status should
notify their district president of their date of availability for pastoral
calls. The district president will distribute a list of available chaplains, missionaries, and graduate students (biannually/quarterly as
requested) among other district presidents and calling agencies where
appropriate.

2.

District presidents should guide pastoral candidates who are no longer qualified to be placed on call lists to explore another vocation.

3.

Recommend a synodwide process that utilizes existing resources,
such as Concordia Plan Services, Soldiers of the Cross, and professional counseling, to assist and support candidates while they are in
the midst of vocational discernment.

4.

In circumstances where a pastor resigns as a result of conflict between
the pastor and members of the congregation, the district president
will provide pastoral care to the congregation and urge that issues
be resolved prior to submitting a call list for future calls. The district
president will ensure that the pastor and his family receive pastoral
care.

5. Congregations are encouraged, where appropriate and feasible, to
provide the opportunity for pastoral candidates to provide pastoral
functions under a supervisor who is approved by the district president.
6.

Recommend to the Council of Presidents to discuss and clarify candidate and non-candidate status and time limits of candidate status.

District presidents are encouraged to provide for the pastoral
support of workers while on candidate status and provide periodic
information that the candidate’s information has been shared with
calling agencies (congregations, schools, Recognized Service
Organizations).
John A. Fale, Secretary
Attachment A
To Appoint a Task Force to Study the Call Process
for Returning Missionary and Military Chaplains and Other
Rostered Church Workers without a Call
RESOLUTION 3-10A
President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, p. 20); Overtures 3-24; 7-17
(CW, pp. 155; 255–56); Resolution 7-06 (TB, p. 150)
Rationale
In our life together as The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
there is great concern for professional church workers in candidate
and non-candidate status who are without calls, including returning
military chaplains and missionaries. Committees 3 (Life Together)
and 7 (Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters) have become aware of
the urgent need to address this issue with compassion.
However, the situation is not only urgent but intricate. Any solution needs to be one that upholds the doctrine of the call while taking
2016 Convention Workbook

into account any necessary bylaw changes and their ramifications.
Precipitous action without more thoughtful consideration may result
in an incomplete solution or unforeseen consequences.
For these reasons, Committee 3 is encouraging immediate action
by district presidents and calling on congregations to address the
pressing human need of such workers. At the same time, the committee believes that a task force is necessary in order to recommend
a comprehensive solution.
Whereas, Ordained missionaries and military chaplains have
diverse experience and skills in preaching the Gospel to various peoples; and
Whereas, Ordained field missionaries and military chaplains
serve in a temporary position which eventually comes to a conclusion and are available for and desire pastoral calls; and
Whereas, There are other categories of ordained and commissioned professional church workers who are also available for calls
and service to the church; and
Whereas, It is poor stewardship that these gifts from God are not
being fully utilized because a call has not been received in a timely
manner; and
Whereas, As of January 2013, 207 ordained and 611 commissioned church workers on candidate status, along with some on
non-candidate status, were seeking calls; and
Whereas, Soldiers of the Cross exists to serve both active and
inactive professional church workers and their families who are in
need; therefore be it
Resolved, That each district president be encouraged earnestly to
give specific and individual attention to LCMS professional church
workers on both candidate and non-candidate status; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS congregations be encouraged to give
prayerful consideration to calling professional church workers who
are on candidate or non-candidate status and who desire a call; and
be it further
Resolved, That the President of the Synod appoint a task force to
address these matters; and be it further
Resolved, That this task force study the need for a placement
process for returning military chaplains and missionaries; and be it
further
Resolved, That this task force also study the candidate status and
non-candidate status of all church workers to aid and encourage congregations and other entities in calling qualified candidates in a timely
manner; and be it further
Resolved, That this task force include but not be limited to representatives from the Council of Presidents, the seminaries, and the
Concordia University System; and be it further
Resolved, That this task force make a report and recommendations
to the Synod no later than one year prior to the 2016 Synod convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of National Mission be encouraged to
continue its service through Soldiers of the Cross; and be it finally
Resolved, That Synod congregations and their members be encouraged to give to the Soldiers of the Cross annual fund drive.
Action: Adopted (9)
(When discussion of Res. 3-10A was begun during Session 8, a
motion to suspend the Orders of the Day to allow 40 minutes for discussion failed. When discussion resumed during Session 9, a motion
to amend the resolution was introduced and then withdrawn. The resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 884; No: 25].)