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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 252

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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252

VII. 2013 RES. 4-06A TASK FORCE REPORT TO THE SYNOD
Notes re Appendix A

1. The preceding chart shows the results of a March 2014 survey of
District Licensed Lay Deacons conducted by the task force. The survey
was designed to mirror previous surveys, particularly a 2009 survey
but also one in 2012. It was sent to district presidents, who responded
either directly or through a staff member by the date indicated in the
second column.
2. The survey’s goal of mirroring previous surveys is evident in the third
to tenth columns, which exactly mirrored those surveys by categorizing the sort of work conducted by LLDs in terms of “autonomous”
or “supervised,” “regular” or “part-time” (P/T), and “Word and
Sacrament” (W/S) or “Word” (W) only or neither Word nor Sacrament
(non W/S). So,
a. The third column (“Autonomous Regular W/S”) describes LLDs
who regularly serve, with minimal supervision (autonomous) and
provide both preaching and the administration of the Sacraments
(W/S).
b. The fourth column (“Autonomous Regular W”) describes LLDs
who regularly serve, with minimal supervision (autonomous), but
provide only preaching (W) and not the administration of the Sacraments.
c. The fifth column (“Supervised Regular W/S”) describes LLDs
who regularly serve, under supervision, and provide both preaching and the administration of the Sacraments (W/S).
d. The sixth column (“Supervised Regular W”) describes LLDs
who regularly serve, under supervision, but provide only preaching (W) and not the administration of the Sacraments.
e. The seventh column (“Supervised P/T W/S”) describes LLDs
who occasionally serve (P/T), under supervision, and, when they
do, provide both preaching and the administration of the Sacraments (W/S).
f. The eighth column (“Supervised P/T W”) describes LLDs who
occasionally serve (P/T), under supervision, but, when they do,
provide only preaching (W) and not the administration of the Sacraments.
g. The ninth column (“Supervised reg non W/S”) describes LLDs
who regularly (reg) serve, under supervision, but neither preach
nor administer the Sacraments (non W/S)—thus, while they are
categorized by the District as a Licensed Lay Deacon, they are
not, in fact, serving as a licensed preacher or in sacramental administration.
h. The tenth column (“Supervised P/T non W/S”) describes LLDs
who occasionally (P/T) serve, under supervision, but neither
preach nor administer the Sacraments (non W/S)—thus, while
they are categorized by the District as a Licensed Lay Deacon,
they are not, in fact, serving as a licensed preacher or in sacramental administration.
3. A follow-up survey of district presidents in May 2014 asked two additional questions:
a. The first question asked how many of the congregations or ministries served by an LLD were cross-cultural in their main focus or
purpose (headed “X-cult” for cross-cultural).
b. The second question asked the district president’s opinion on how
many congregations currently served by an LLD would be unable
to survive without the services of the LLD. The results of this
question are indicated in the thirteenth column (headed “Surv.”
for Survival).

2016 Convention Workbook

Appendix B
Proposed track for current LLDs toward ordained and rostered status via SMP colloquy process (see “Elements of the
Colloquy Proposal” for specific details):
1. LLD candidates for SMP colloquy shall meet two initial criteria:
(1) having served in preaching or preaching and sacramental administration for two or more Sundays each month over the past two years
or more and (2) being 55 years of age or older.
2. LLD candidates for SMP colloquy shall complete the application for
colloquy process.
3. LLD candidates for SMP colloquy shall complete the course on the
Lutheran approach to Scripture and doctrine that will be offered
regionally.86
4. The expanded Colloquy Committee shall schedule interviews within
the region for eligible candidates.
5. The Colloquy Committee shall make a determination regarding each
individual LLD applicant either to
a. approve immediately;
b. approve immediately with mandatory mentor-study requirements to follow;
c. postpone approval pending completion of coursework or mentorstudy;
d. require additional study followed by reconsideration of the candidate; or
e. decline to approve.
6. If the candidate, assisted by his congregation and district, is unable to
afford the full cost for the seminary faculties’ course on the Lutheran
approach to Scripture and doctrine or for ongoing expenses for mentor-study and potential coursework, he has the option to apply to the
LCMS Pastoral Education Department, seeking a grant to cover up to
50 percent of the costs (additional aid would be at the discretion of the
Pastoral Education Department). (Adequate funds exist to meet this
commitment from the Synod. The current level of financial support for
existing LLD training can be transferred to assist in colloquy-related
expenses as needed.)

Toward the future—supplying pastors in the face of geographic, financial, and demographic challenges:
1. As congregations recognize that they are unlikely at present or in
the not-too-distant future to be able to fill their pastoral needs with a
full-time pastor (as determined by the congregation itself or by their
district), they are encouraged to seek the counsel of the district regarding possible approaches to provide pastoral care.
2. The first recourse should be prayerfully to explore time-honored means
of filling the need, such as multi-point arrangements or other part-time
or dual-career forms of service by currently rostered pastors.
3. Another course of action may be to identify from their midst a man (or
men) of “good repute” who is (are) “full of faith and the Holy Spirit”
and ask him (them) to give prayerful consideration to gain the necessary training to serve pastorally (perhaps through residential seminary
training, or via a program such as SMP or EIIT). (Such identification would mirror the current approach toward LLD training and may
include initial course work on a local level to meet requirements for
admission to seminary programs.)
4. Where funding obstacles exist for those who wish to enter SMP or
another nonresidential track of pastoral education, the candidate has
the option to apply to the LCMS Pastoral Education Department,
seeking a grant based on individual need after seeking support from
congregation and district.