Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2016 · 66th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 456
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 456

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

456

ROUTES TO MINISTRY

13-29

To Affirm Use of Licensed Lay Deacons
to Deliver Word and Sacrament Ministry
Whereas, The population density of some districts makes it
nearly impossible for remote congregations to call and support an
ordained pastor; and
Whereas, The geographical realities of remote congregations
make it impractical for an ordained pastor to serve the needs of remote
congregations; and
Whereas, Congregations have been formed through the supervised work of licensed lay deacon congregations, which by the grace
of God have grown and are now being served by ordained pastors; and
Whereas, The Res. 4-06A Task Force Report estimates that
approximately 115 congregations would need to close if the ministry of licensed lay deacons was discontinued; and
Whereas, Many who did not know or believe in Jesus have by
God’s grace come to repentance and saving faith in Jesus at least in
part through the supervised work of licensed lay deacons; and
Whereas, Districts have developed training programs and guidelines for licensed lay deacons that include a formal request from the
congregation and commissioning, continued education, and direct
supervision by an ordained pastor; and
Whereas, Districts, including the Northwest District, have established an effective supervisory network that has been successful for
a significant number of years; and
Whereas, No congregation being served by a licensed lay deacon with Word and Sacrament ministry has filed a formal complaint
regarding the work being done by licensed lay deacons, and, in fact,
congregations in need are earnestly seeking and exceedingly grateful for the work being done in their midst by licensed lay deacons;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention continue to affirm
the ministry of licensed lay deacons as an auxiliary office to serve
the priesthood of believers and help share the saving grace of Jesus;
and be it further
Resolved, That local districts continue their efforts to standardize
the identification, training, placement, and supervision of licensed
lay deacons.
Prince of Peace
Portland, OR
13-30

To Modify and Fund Recommendations
of Res. 4-06A Task Force Report
Whereas, The 2013 Synod convention approved the appointment
of a task force to study and report on the current practice of licensed
lay deacons/ministers, and the task force has completed its study and
made its report; and
Whereas, The task force is to be commended for the voluminous effort to prepare their report in a fair and balanced manner; and
Whereas, The report specifically recommends “that those
licensed lay deacons who are regularly preaching and administering
the sacraments be required to apply for a colloquy to examine their
ability to teach and overall fitness for ministry. Upon certification
by the colloquy committee, they will be called by the congregations
where they have been serving, ordained into the Office of the Public
Ministry, and placed on the roster of specific ministry pastors”; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, This particular recommendation further proposes an
application process that far exceeds the current “Specific Ministry
Pastor Admission Sequence” that is posted on the Concordia
Seminary (St. Louis) website; and
Whereas, This particular recommendation also proposes an
exhaustive revision of the current colloquy committee; and
Whereas, This same recommendation further proposes limitations on “Colloquized SMP Clergy” that are not currently required
by the 2013 Handbook (e.g., “Only those male deacons who are age
55 or older will ordinarily be admitted to the SMP Colloquy program”); and
Whereas, This recommendation proposes a transition period of
only two years for the entire process to be carried out; and
Whereas, Recommendations are also proposed regarding the
“Further Utilization of SMP Program with Financial Support,” and
“Further Utilization of Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology [EIIT],
Center for Hispanic Studies [CHS], and Cross-Cultural Institute,”
which specifically address the need for financial resources to reduce
the burden for SMP program costs for those participating in the process; and
Whereas, in the Appendix B section, the task force summarily
proposes that
“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.”

therefore be it
Resolved, That the task force be acknowledged and thanked by
the Synod in convention for their arduous efforts and thorough report;
and be it further
Resolved, That Recommendation 1 regarding “Colloquy for
Licensed Lay Deacons” be modified to reflect the current Handbook
and SMP Admission Sequence requirements (e.g., no age limitation
and the current admission sequence); and be it further
Resolved, That the current colloquy committee not be expanded
as recommended; and be it further
Resolved, That the recommendation’s proposal for financial support be of first importance for the sake of those who desire and sense
their inner calling to continue their lay ministry, but who are also willing to seek colloquy and admission into the specific ministry pastor
program; and be it further
Resolved, That the transition period suggested not be enacted until
such time as the financial support is established and available for
those licensed lay ministers to enter the colloquy SMP process; and
be it further
Resolved, That only when the financial support for the recommended changes has been put into place that no new deacons be
licensed by district presidents for Word and Sacrament ministry; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the rest of the task force’s “Report to the Synod”
be commended to the Synod in convention for conversation and
consideration.
Circuit 17, Southeastern District; Circuit 16, Southeastern
District