Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2016 · 66th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 462
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 462

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

462

ROUTES TO MINISTRY

13-43

To Provide Financial Assistance for Lay Deacons
to Complete SMP Program
Whereas, Many districts continue to use licensed lay deacons in
a variety of ways; and
Whereas, The Specific Ministry Pastor program was initiated at
the 2007 convention to bring all routes to ordination under the supervision of the Synod’s seminaries; and
Whereas, The Res. 4-06A Task Force has recommended
(Recommendation 1) a process for existing licensed lay deacons to
be colloquized as specific ministry pastors; and
Whereas, The task force has also urged the Synod
(Recommendation 2) to provide financial assistance for students in
the SMP program so that their proper theological education may not
be impeded for fiscal reasons; and
Whereas, The SMP program should be the preferable option for
training of candidates for Word and Sacrament ministry who seek
to serve congregations fiscally unable to afford full-time Word and
Sacrament ministry or to call either a candidate from one of the residential pastoral formation programs or other ordained minister; and
Whereas, The SMP program should likewise be the preferable
option for congregations obtaining permanent pastoral care through
a minister of Word and Sacrament at congregations fiscally unable
to afford full-time Word and Sacrament ministry or to call either a
candidate from one of the residential pastoral formation programs or
other ordained minister; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod pledge and reserve specific monies to
subsidize the candidates with financial need in the SMP program;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod pledge financial support to all licensed
lay deacons who seek ordination through the SMP program; and be
it finally
Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod urge lay deacons
to pursue ordination through the SMP program.
Board of Directors
New Jersey District
13-44

To Include Office of Deacon in List
of LCMS Commissioned Ministers
Whereas, The office of deacon is one of the theological offices of
the Church mentioned in the New Testament (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3); and
Whereas, Deacons have fulfilled a necessary and useful function in the ministry of the Church since the time of the apostles when
Stephen and six others were appointed to the office of deacon by the
church in Jerusalem (Acts 6); and
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod approved the
office of deacon at the 1989 LCMS convention; and
Whereas, The theological training received by deacons is of a
standard commensurate with other commissioned ministers in the
LCMS; and
Whereas, Deacons serve under the supervision and direction of
an ordained pastor, as do other commissioned ministers; and
Whereas, Deacons have provided valuable service to the church
at large and to many congregations throughout the LCMS since 1989
in the performance of the public ministry of the Church and of their
individual congregations; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, Deacons are currently not included in the roster of
commissioned ministers of the LCMS; and
Whereas, The office of deacon is licensed with each individual
district of the LCMS rather than under the auspices of the seminaries and universities of the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS Synod commend the men who
are currently serving as deacons throughout the LCMS and encourage them to continue to perform this necessary function of the public
ministry of the Church under the auspices of an ordained pastor; and
be it further
Resolved, That an appointed task force determine appropriate
requirements so that the office of deacon be included in the roster of
commissioned ministers, including such considerations as certification, standardized educational requirements, and ability to receive a
call; and be it finally
Resolved, That the requirements determined by the task force be
shared with the Synod’s districts, at which time all men who have met
these requirements are to be added to the roster of the Synod as commissioned ministers—deacons.
St. Mark
Kentwood, MI
13-45

To Affirm, Encourage, and Expand Supervised
Ministry of Licensed Deacons
Whereas, God has called us (1 Cor. 1:9, 7:15; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim.
1:8a–9; 1 Pet. 2:9, 21; 5:10); and
Whereas, God sends called Christians to proclaim the Gospel
(Matt. 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16; Luke 24:46–47; John 20:19–23;
Acts 1:8); and
Whereas, God has established the Office of the Public Ministry
to strengthen and equip His people for the work of ministry (John
20:19–23; Eph. 4:11–13); and
Whereas, God also calls laypeople to serve with pastors in performing works of ministry (Acts 6:1–6; Rom. 8:28; Eph. 4:11–12;
2 Tim. 2:1–2; 1 Pet. 2:9); and
Whereas, The 1989 LCMS convention empowered the congregations of the LCMS to expand their ministry through the training
and use of lay ministers/licensed deacons; and
Whereas, The ministry of licensed deacons has assisted greatly
in maintaining and expanding Word and Sacrament ministry in many
remote or transportation-isolated areas which cannot be served by a
full-time pastor because congregations are too small to afford a pastor,
has assisted with new mission plants not served by any ordained pastors, and has assisted pastors in large and growing congregations; and
Whereas, Those serving as licensed deacons have grown in their
faith and many of the men have entered the seminary to pursue pastoral ministry; and
Whereas, Licensed deacons do not appoint themselves to administer Word and Sacrament but instead are called to service by their
congregations through action of their voters’ assemblies following
the example of Acts 6:1–6, satisfying concerns about Augsburg XIV
that those who administer the Sacraments and proclaim the Word are
to be “rightly called”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention affirm and encourage
districts, circuits, and congregations to support ministries and mission work served by supervised licensed deacons; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention reject attempts to restrict or cancel district-authorized ministries served by licensed deacons who are
supervised by ordained pastors; and be it further