Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2016 · 66th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 455
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 455

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

ROUTES TO MINISTRY
13-26

To Celebrate and Encourage Use of Licensed Lay
Deacons in Word and Sacrament Ministry
Whereas, Jesus’ words still ring true that there remains an urgent
need for sending workers into the harvest fields where “the harvest
is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2; Matt. 9:37); and
Whereas, When the risen Jesus commissioned His followers in
Luke 24:47−48 saying, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be
proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You
are witnesses of these things,” there were more than just the eleven
apostles present—all gathered with them received this mission; and
Whereas, Christ calls some to the office of the ministry as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers, as it says in
Ephesians 4:11, and their role is to “equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12); and
Whereas, In the Scriptures those called to the office of the ministry are also called bishops or overseers, presbyters or elders, and
pastors or shepherds; and
Whereas, Deacons in the Scriptures also participated in this work
of ministry not merely serving tables (as in Acts 6) but in preaching
and Baptism as well (as in Acts 7−8); and
Whereas, In the Scriptures, deacons are distinguished from bishops or overseers, elders or presbyters, and pastors or shepherds in both
Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:1−13; and
Whereas, The Res. 4-06A Task Force Report listed that there
were, as of summer 2014, 525 licensed lay deacons serving in LCMS
congregations; that 212 of those were serving in the ministry of both
Word and Sacrament in a supervised capacity under an ordained
pastor; and that 115 of these congregations served by licensed lay
deacons would not survive without licensed lay deacon ministry; and
Whereas, The disciples in Acts 1:15–26 together chose an apostle to take Judas’s place among the Twelve; the Church at Antioch
chose together to send Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:1−3; and Paul
left Titus to appoint elders in every town in Crete in Titus 1:5, showing that the call to serve in Word and Sacrament ministry happens by
God through His Church; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Confessions echo this when they say in
Augsburg Confession XIV, “It is taught that no one should publicly
teach, preach, or administer the sacraments without a proper public call”; and
Whereas, Neither the Holy Scriptures nor the Lutheran
Confessions contain the specific directive that only ordained pastors
may participate in public preaching or administration of the sacraments; and
Whereas, The Early Church Father Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical
History quotes the Bishop of Jerusalem and the Bishop of Caesarea at
the start of the third century concerning the topic of laymen preaching
at the request of bishops saying, “Whenever persons able to instruct
the brethren are found they are exhorted by the bishops to preach to
the people” (Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise
of Constantine in series 2, vol. 1 of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers,
pp. 667–68); and
Whereas, LCMS father C. F. W. Walther cites this very situation
mentioned above in his work Church and Ministry in order to make
the point that ordination is not necessary so long as one is called
(Church and Ministry, trans. J. T. Mueller, p. 267); and
Whereas, Licensed lay deacons are equipped for ministry by
those serving in the office of the ministry through training programs
established by the districts, are overseen in ministry by called and

455

ordained pastors, and are called by the congregations they serve to
participate in this ministry of Word and Sacraments; and
Whereas, the 4-06A Task Force Report is recommending that
licensed lay deacon ministry come to an end and recommending that
only ordained pastors participate in preaching and sacramental ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention affirm that the use of
licensed lay deacons for Word and Sacrament ministry is in accord
with both the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention celebrate the use of
licensed lay deacons as a vital component of the ministry of the
Gospel and thank all of our licensed lay deacons for their often-volunteer service on behalf of Christ.
Holy Cross
Spokane, WA
13-27

To Study Res. 4-06A Task Force Report
Whereas, “It is most important that there be a theological
consensus on this matter within our Synod that is Scriptural and confessional” (Res. 4-06A Task Force Report, p. 20); and
Whereas, “No synodical plan, proposal, or resolution can take
the place of joint study of God’s Word and our confessions, with
respectful and prayerful discussions that enable us to achieve genuine
agreement and appropriate practices” (Report, p. 20); therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention receive this report
with thanks to the task force for its thorough work in producing this
report; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention urge the districts of the Synod to
arrange for and promote opportunities for study of God’s Word and
our confessions, that theological consensus concerning this matter
might be achieved; and be it finally
Resolved, That the recommendations of this report be brought to
the next convention of the Synod for consideration and action.
Circuit 16, Southeastern District; Circuit 17, Southeastern
District
13-28

To Continue to Support Certified Lay Ministers
Whereas, God has blessed the Church with a talented laity, whom
He has blessed with spiritual gifts; and
Whereas, The Church has benefited by the use of laity as certified lay ministers; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2015 Pacific Southwest District Convention
commend the work of the licensed lay deacons and parish ministry
assistants of the Pacific Southwest District; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2015 Pacific Southwest District Convention
memorialize the 2016 LCMS convention to continue to support certified lay ministers in their respective districts in accordance with and
with respect to the Augsburg Confession, Art. XIV, and the Synod
at large.
Pacific Southwest District
2016 Convention Workbook