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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 461

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

ROUTES TO MINISTRY
Whereas, That licensed deacon serving our congregation is
required by the district president to complete annual continuing education requirements; and
Whereas, There are no ordained pastors, either active or retired,
who are willing or able to serve as our pastor; therefore be it
Resolved, That we the members of Immanuel Lutheran Church,
Albany, Oregon, strongly encourage the Synod in convention to support, continue, and expand the licensed deacon program throughout
the Synod so that small congregations are able to continue worshipping and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Immanuel
Albany, OR
13-41

To Affirm Ministry of Licensed Lay Deacons
Whereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ has established His church to “be
My witnesses … to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8); and
Whereas, It is God’s desire that all people might be saved (1 Tim.
2:4); and
Whereas, Our Lord through the apostle St. Paul declared: “It was
He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up” (Eph. 4:11–12); and
Whereas, Throughout history God’s people have prayed for pastors to preach, teach, administer the Holy Sacraments, and equip
God’s people for the work of ministry. However, in times of need and
appropriate opportunity, others have been engaged for preaching and
sacramental administration; and
Whereas, Deacons were appointed in Acts 6 to wait on tables
and care for widows, but the Holy Spirit led Philip and Stephen to
proclaim the Good News and to baptize and teach (Acts 6–8); and
Whereas, Dr. C. F. W. Walther recognized “auxiliary/helping”
offices to assist ordained pastors and to further the ministry of the
Gospel; and
Whereas, Supervising pastors who guide the work of licensed
lay deacons are serving within their scope as “episkopos” or “presbuteros” when deacons serve as extensions of the one Office of the
Holy Ministry; and
Whereas, Licensed lay deacons serving under supervising pastors are doing so under the direction and blessing of the autonomous
congregation which has properly made decisions about such ministry in their midst; and
Whereas, Licensed lay deacons have served faithfully, effectively, and economically in a variety of ministries including small,
remote, and economically strained congregations, vacant parishes,
and in cross-cultural settings; and
Whereas, Careful oversight by district presidents, faithfully
enforcing the policies and guidelines for the use of licensed lay deacons as provided in the COP manual regarding the tasks of supervising
pastors, meets the concerns concerning AC XIV; and
Whereas, Licensed lay deacons have simply been a lifeline of
the Gospel for many congregations, communities, and people who
otherwise would be denied access to preaching and sacramental worship; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm and encourage the
supervised ministry of licensed lay deacons in the LCMS and support those districts that desire to provide such training and oversight;
and be it further

461

Resolved, That district presidents encourage ordained pastors who
supervise licensed lay deacons to be diligent and faithful in their
supervision; and be it further
Resolved, That as part of their supervision of licensed lay deacons,
district presidents inform their licensed lay deacons of continuing
education opportunities and encourage attendance in at least one continuing education event a year to help in their service of Word and
Sacrament ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS develop a plan to make ordination more
accessible to licensed lay deacons who would like to seek ordination
through colloquy, SMP, EIIT, CHS, or other appropriate routes provided by the Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank the Res. 4-06A Task
Force for its report and utilize aspects and insights from the report to
strengthen licensed lay deacon ministry.
Christ
Marshall, MI
13-42

To Endorse Concordia College—New York’s
Collaborative Lay Deacon Program
Whereas, Theologically educated laity are a gift to the church
and can contribute to our Synod and to our congregations in manifold ways; and
Whereas, Individual districts have over the years established their
own lay leadership (deacon) training programs with differing expectations and requirements; and
Whereas, Trained lay leadership (deacons) are currently serving
in a variety of ministries within our districts; and
Whereas, Mobility of the general populace has increased the
movement of lay deacons into other districts that may not recognize
the training and status in their originating district; and
Whereas, It would prove beneficial and desirable to maintain a
roster of trained lay deacons; and
Whereas, Concordia College—New York desires to assist districts and congregations of the LCMS by training lay leaders and
facilitating collaborative regional partnerships between districts in
lay leadership (deacon) programs; and
Whereas, A collaborative lay leadership (deacon) training program provides a standardized lay leadership curriculum and greater
resources to facilitate the educational program; and
Whereas, The Res. 4-06A Task Force has recommended that a
“major emphasis in lay training programs be placed on the role of
evangelist and the task of outreach,” which Concordia College provides through its lay deacon program; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm its support for lay
leadership (deacon) programs as a gift to the church; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention endorse Concordia
College’s new lay leadership (deacon) program as a collaborative
means of raising up new lay leaders (deacons) for service in the
church; and be it finally
Resolved, That in keeping with the Res. 4-06A Task Force recommendation, the 2016 LCMS convention encourage its member
congregations to participate in Concordia College—New York’s lay
leadership (deacon) program.
Board of Directors
New Jersey District
2016 Convention Workbook