LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 458

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458

ROUTES TO MINISTRY

Whereas, These same congregations may be facing extreme
financial stress and therefore not be able to provide for the leadership of a full-time pastor on their own; and
Whereas, The availability of semi-retired or bi-vocational pastors
significantly trails the need, or they are not geographically flexible to
meet the needs of these struggling congregations; and
Whereas, Many of these congregations are in remote settings that
do not allow for a multi-congregation parish to be served weekly by
a called ordained pastor; and
Whereas, The training and licensing of lay deacons has addressed
the needs of some of these congregations, with the attending supervising pastors, circuit visitors, and district presidents, respectively; and
Whereas, Such arrangements for Word and Sacrament ministry have caused concern among our fellowship in regard to the “rite
vocatus” of AC XIV; and
Whereas, It is essential that we provide the very best in Word
and Sacrament ministry possible for God’s people by upholding AC
XIV; and
Whereas, It is also God’s call upon His Church to diligently seek
to “make disciples as we go [and wherever we go], by teaching and
baptizing” (Matt. 28:19); therefore be it
Resolved, That congregations that are unable to financially support
a full-time pastor to provide Word and Sacrament ministry intentionally seek to enter into a multi-parish relationship with another
geographically close congregation of the LCMS; and be it further
Resolved, That vibrant and healthy congregations of the LCMS
intentionally seek to encourage and assist struggling sister congregations in their geographic vicinity through shared programs, services,
and pastoral leadership, leading to a stronger mission together; and
be it further
Resolved, To recognize and affirm the intention of 1989 Res.
3-05B regarding the licensing of district-trained lay deacons was and
is intended to meet this very need to some degree; and be it further
Resolved, That in the rare occurrence that a licensed lay deacon is
asked to provide Word and Sacrament ministry in these extreme cases,
that the congregation served by the licensed lay deacon be directed
to formally enter into covenant with the licensed lay deacon’s supervising pastor’s congregation and thereby recognize and accept the
supervising pastor also as their pastor; and be it further
Resolved, That all supervising pastors of licensed lay deacons be
encouraged to be diligent in their supervision for the sake of God’s
people being served by him through the licensed lay deacon; and be
it further
Resolved, That the supervising pastor frequently visit the supported congregation to provide direct pastoral care and leadership,
along with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (circuit rider); and
be it finally
Resolved, That the resident district president identify and intentionally initiate collegial conversations throughout his district, and
coordinate such efforts through the circuit visitors.
Grace, Monroe, MI; First, Charlotte, MI; Outer Drive Faith,
Detroit, MI
13-34

To Affirm Deacon as Auxiliary Office
Whereas, The pastoral ministry [Predigtamt] is the highest office
in the church and from it stems all other offices in the church, and in
Scripture the incumbents of the ministerial office are called elders,
bishops, rulers [Vorsteber], stewards, and the like; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, There are many auxiliary offices within the church
(e.g., director of Christian education, director of family life ministry,
deaconess, Lutheran teachers, director of parish music), all of which
are supervised by the holder of the Office of Public Ministry; and
Whereas, In Scripture, incumbents of subordinate offices are
called deacons. The deacon is a servant, not only of God but also of
the congregation and of the bishop. The Scriptural foundation for deacons is found in Holy Scripture where deacons and bishops are noted
side by side in 1 Timothy 3:1–13 and Philippians 1:1. In our church
polity, distinct levels of ordination already exist: specific ministry
pastors (SMP) are subordinate to the general ministry pastorate; and
Whereas, Martin Luther considered those listed in Acts 6:1–6
as deacons (Luther’s Works, vol. 28, Lectures on 1 Timothy), and
C. F. W. Walther’s Church and Ministry confirms the deacon’s ministry within the congregation (p. 65); and
Whereas, Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus were
chosen to assist the apostles (Acts 6:1–6); Stephen was martyred for
preaching and teaching. God used Philip, one chosen as a deacon in
Acts 6, to evangelize in Samaria (Acts 8:4–8), baptize the Ethiopian
convert along the Gaza Road, and teach in Azotus and Caesarea (Acts
8:26–40); and
Whereas, Men ordained into the public ministry (general pastor)
have historically supervised subordinate offices and commissioned
ministers of religion in a conscientious manner, being faithful to their
responsibility; and
Whereas, Men ordained into the public ministry (general pastors) supervise vicars, faculty, staff, volunteers, deacons, and specific
ministry pastors, who all serve the people of God as extensions of
the Office of the Holy Ministry. Supervising pastors who guide this
work are within their scope of episkopos. Deacons serving autonomous congregations are serving under the blessing and request of
that congregation and under the guidance of a general ministry pastor
who is responsible for the parish in which the deacon is serving; and
Whereas, The “proper call” of Article XIV is upheld by the way
in which the deacon candidate is examined, called by a congregation,
and commissioned (ordained) by a representative of the Synod. The
call is conferred by God through the congregation. Commissioning
(ordination) is a solemn public confirmation of the call. Careful oversight by the district president, faithfully enforcing the policies and
guidelines for the deaconate as stated in the Council of Presidents
manual regarding the duties of supervising pastors, should satisfy
any concerns regarding AC XIV; and
Whereas, The education and training for men as outlined in 1989
Res. 3-05B is the standard for the educational preparation required
by deacons, as noted in the Michigan District and Pacific Southwest
District educational programs (as well as others in the Synod); and
Whereas, There are many parishes that are unable to support a
full-time general ministry pastor and only have a part-time general
ministry pastor or a “circuit rider” who visits the parish every four
to six weeks or are in a geographical location that prevents timely
travel; and
Whereas, God’s children have been faithfully served by deacons
in many different locations, ranging from small preaching stations and
parishes as the primary minister to working alongside the pastor in
large parishes. Deacons always serve with the guidance and supervision of a general ministry pastor. Removal of deacons from service to
God’s people would cause great hardship and disorder within those
parishes that are served by a deacon; and