Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2016 · 66th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 454
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 454

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

454

ROUTES TO MINISTRY

Whereas, The CNH District has increased significantly its focus
on the planting of new missions that will in turn plant new missions;
and
Whereas, Paul commends the Church, particularly in matters
that may cause consternation or uncertainty among its members that
“all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40); and
Whereas, Ministry in all ages, while done “in order” and according to a common confession, may find its expression in a wide variety
of practices; and
Whereas, The removal of the current licensed deacon program
would immediately eliminate or severely reduce Word and Sacrament
ministry in several CNH congregations and their communities, and
greatly curtail the planting of new missions; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CNH in convention affirm and encourage district circuits and congregations to continue the use of authorized,
trained, and supervised licensed deacons in congregations which otherwise would not be served adequately; and be it further
Resolved, That the CNH in convention affirm and encourage district circuits and congregations to continue the use of authorized,
trained, and supervised licensed deacons in the planting of new missions; and be it further
Resolved, That the selection, training, supervision, and service of
our licensed lay deacons in the CNH District be held to the highest
standards of accountability and adherence to the standards of practice established by our Synod, which is also the earnest desire of all
licensed deacons and their supervising pastors in our district; and
be it further
Resolved, That specific emphasis be placed upon missionary outreach and the planting of new missions in the programs and curricula
utilized by the CNH District in the preparation and licensing of lay
deacons; and be it further
Resolved, That the CNH District encourage the district president
to support the ongoing training of licensed lay deacons through making available needed courses and providing financial assistance where
appropriate; and be it further
Resolved, That the CNH District continue to maintain the standard practices established by our Synod for those congregations and
mission plants that utilize licensed deacons in order that they remain
faithful to our doctrine and mission intent; and be it further
Resolved, That the CNH District in convention respectfully decline
attempts to restrict or cancel district-authorized ministries served by
licensed deacons under the supervision of ordained pastors; and be
it further
Resolved, That the CNH District in convention respectfully decline
attempts to require licensed deacons to enter the specific ministry pastor (SMP) program when this would restrict, hinder, or stop ongoing
Word and Sacrament ministry in our local congregations and mission
arenas; and be it further
Resolved, That we rejoice together and give thanks to God for
equipping His Church with His Means of Grace and well as dedicated, authorized, and trained workers, both lay and ordained, who
faithfully and passionately reach people in their communities with
the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That delegates to the 2015 CNH District convention
thank the Lord of the harvest for the many gifts and blessings He has
bestowed on our congregations and local ministries through the dedicated and faithful service of our ordained pastors, commissioned
ministers, and supervised licensed deacons; and be it finally
2016 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the CNH District forward this resolution to the
2016 LCMS convention.
California-Nevada-Hawaii District
13-25

To Call and Ordain Certified Male Deacons
to Preaching Office
Whereas, The Res. 4-06A Task Force has completed its study and
reported the same to the Synod in July 2015 as directed; and
Whereas, The preaching office is the one and only office instituted and required by God in the church (2 Tim. 2:1−2; Titus 1:5); and
Whereas, The task force pointed out that, according to Article
XIV of the Augsburg Confession, “Concerning church government
it is taught that no one should publicly teach, preach, or administer
the sacraments without a proper [public] call”; and
Whereas, The task force’s report acknowledges that “the majority of the deacons serve in settings where there are significant if not
extreme financial, geographic, or demographic challenges”; and
Whereas, The task force reports that many licensed lay deacons
are serving in Word and Sacrament ministry”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank the Res. 4-06A Task
Force for its report; and be it further
Resolved, That those districts of the Synod who are currently using
licensed lay deacons in Word and Sacrament ministry establish common training requirements, in consultation with representatives from
each of the seminaries; and be it further
Resolved, That agreement regarding the requirements for licensed
lay deacons be reached and published in the appropriate publications
of the Synod no later than September of 2017; and be it further
Resolved, That the office of minister of religion—ordained deacon be added to the roster of Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That upon certification by a district president that a man
has completed the training requirements, he shall be eligible to receive
a call as a minister of religion—ordained deacon; and be it further
Resolved, That upon receiving and accepting a call from a congregation, the minister of religion—ordained deacon shall be ordained
and authorized to serve in Word and Sacrament ministry; and be it
further
Resolved, That those licensed lay deacons who are currently
serving in Word and Sacrament ministry be directed by their district
president to seek ordination through colloquy as a minister of religion—ordained deacon; and be it further
Resolved, That such colloquy interviews will be conducted by the
regional vice-president of the Synod and the district president where
the licensed lay deacon is serving; and be it finally
Resolved, That where there is financial hardship that would hinder
the licensed lay deacon from accomplishing any additional education required by the proposed colloquy, assistance will be provided
through the district as it partners with the deacon’s congregation.
Board of Directors, Michigan District; Cedar Crest, White
Lake MI; St. Matthew, Walled Lake, MI; St. Luke, Haslett,
MI