LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 459

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ROUTES TO MINISTRY
Whereas, The number throughout the Synod of deacons
(licensed) is second only to that of directors of Christian education
(a nonbiblical office). They are widely accepted throughout the Synod
with 77 percent of the districts using preaching deacons; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention give thanks to God for
the Office of the Public Ministry and all those pastors who conscientiously perform their duty in supervising the auxiliary offices and
subordinate offices provided for those whom God has placed under
their care; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention give thanks to God for the men
and women in the auxiliary and subordinate offices who faithfully
serve His people with an exceptional level of care and competence;
and be it further
Resolved, That the convention acknowledge the sincere intent of
the Synod task force report regarding the deaconate, declining, however, to affirm the findings as published; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention reaffirm the 1989 Res.
3-05B; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention affirm that the office of deacon is
a biblical office and that deacons have a legitimate role in teaching
God’s Word in partnership with pastors and other subordinate and
auxiliary offices, and that deacons have a genuine calling from God
to the office of deacon; and be it further
Resolved, That in order to prevent confusion, the office of deacon
is a subordinate office to that of the public ministry and as such must
always be under the ecclesiastic supervision of a general ministry
pastor. It is the general ministry pastor who retains episcopal responsibility for the parish. A man serving as a deacon shall be referred
to as deacon in both verbal and written reference; and be it further
Resolved, That the divine call of a man into the office of deacon
be confirmed by ordination as in Thesis VI of Walther’s Church and
Ministry as a solemn public confirmation of the call; and be it further
Resolved, That it is deplorable and distressing for God’s children
to be without the Means of Grace, the pronouncement of the forgiveness of sin, and instruction in the chief articles of Christian doctrine
for long periods of time; and be it further
Resolved, That the deacon, at the request and consent of the
congregation and with the guidance of the general ministry pastor
providing ecclesiastical supervision, may rightly be a witness for the
church for new member welcomes, weddings, and adoptions; doing
Baptisms in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit; and granting forgiveness of sin (absolution) to the repentant.
The deacon shall promise never to divulge the confessed sins of the
repentant sinner. The deacon may consecrate the elements for the
Lord’s Table; and be it finally
Resolved, That the deaconate is one of God’s blessings for the
church, a tool to use in the service of God’s people, in partnership
with the general ministry pastor, other members of subordinate and
auxiliary offices, and all of God’s children.
River of Life, Dayton, NV; St. Luke, Portola CA
13-35

To Establish Office of Licensed Deacon
and Ordain Licensed Deacons as Deacons
Whereas, The purpose of the church is to proclaim the saving
Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and make disciples of all nations;
and
Whereas, The harvest is ready but the workers are few; and

459

Whereas, When a need arose in the Early Church, the apostles
in Christian freedom did not hesitate to create the auxiliary office of
deacon to help with the ministry of the church (Acts 6); and
Whereas, These deacons were involved in the public proclamation of the Word and Baptism (Acts 7–8); and
Whereas, The ministry of deacons, contrasted to the ministry of
bishops and overseers, is noted in Holy Scripture in such passages as
Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:1–15; and
Whereas, In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Pastor Timothy, “And
the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses
entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”; and
Whereas, The LCMS, in Christian freedom, has authorized
licensed deacons to work under the supervision of ordained pastors
to extend the work of the Gospel; and
Whereas, These licensed deacons are fully supervised, carefully
educated, and called to serve in a particular ministry; and
Whereas, Ordination is an ancient tradition that the church uses
publicly to recognize and confirm the call of the Holy Spirit; and
Whereas, The ancient church ordained people into many auxiliary offices, including deacons, for service in the church; and
Whereas, The LCMS, in Christian freedom, established the office
of licensed deacon as a regular office under the Office of the Holy
Ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That licensed deacons be ordained publicly to the office
of deacon; and be it further
Resolved, That districts of the Synod recruit, train, and utilize
licensed deacons to proclaim boldly the Good News of Jesus Christ
throughout our nation and our world.
Mt. Drum
Copper Center, AK
13-36

To Affirm Use of Licensed Lay Deacons for Word
and Sacrament Ministry in Cases of Necessity
Whereas, Rigorous training in Scripture and doctrine is required
before being licensed to serve as a licensed lay deacon; and
Whereas, Continuing education is required in order to renew the
license of a licensed lay deacon; and
Whereas, An ordained pastor must supervise and mentor the
licensed lay deacons; and
Whereas, Licensed lay deacons serve the mission of the Church,
following the examples of Stephen and Philip in Acts, carrying out
the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19); and
Whereas, The licensed lay deacon does not seek to supplant or
replace the role of the pastor, but rather to represent the pastor and
serve as his agent, announcing forgiveness of sins, preaching the
Gospel, and administering the Sacraments in a place where limitations of time and distance or language prohibit the nearest pastor from
adequately serving a congregation that would otherwise be without
preaching, the Sacraments, or pastoral care; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention affirm and encourage the use of licensed lay deacons for preaching and administering
the Sacraments where limitations of time and distance or language
prohibit the nearest pastor from adequately serving a congregation
that would otherwise be without preaching, Sacraments, or pastoral
care; and be it further
Resolved, That the districts of the Synod work together to train
men to serve in cooperation with, and under the supervision of,
2016 Convention Workbook