Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2023 · 68th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 339
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 339

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

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES
Ov. 6-31

To Reconsider Use of Licensed Lay Deacons
in Word and Sacrament Ministry
WHEREAS, There is an increasing number of congregations who
are unable to support a pastor and his family on a full-time basis;
and
WHEREAS, Licensed Lay Deacons (LLD) served effectively in
the Synod from 1989–2016 (with a short pause); and
WHEREAS, The Synod has changed its position on the use of
LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry a number of times during
these years:
• 1989: ministry of LLDs established at Synod convention
(1989 Resolution 3-05B);
• 1995: ministry of LLDs taken back (1995 Res. 3-07A) by
requiring LLDs to apply for colloquy;
• 2001: ministry of LLDs resurrected (2001 Res. 3-08B) and
calls for Distance Education Leading To Ordination
oversight committee;
• 2007: Specific Ministry Pastor program put into play;
• 2016: LLDs severely limited (2016 Res. 13-02A);
and
WHEREAS, The number of congregations facing shared ministry
or potential closure continues to increase; and
WHEREAS, The present technological resources available to
congregations make supervision of LLDs by ordained ministers
more accessible and effective; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affirms the
Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit calls people to faith
in Jesus Christ and sustains them in that faith; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District would
memorialize the 2023 Synod convention to establish a task force to
reconsider the use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry within
its congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That members of the task force specifically include
districts that have historically made extensive use of LLDs in Word
and Sacrament ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That any use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry
must occur under the direct supervision of an ordained minister; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the appointed task force study the document,
Workers for His Harvest, submitted by the Northwest District Board
of Directors following the 2016 Synod convention.
Pacific Southwest District
Ov. 6-32

To Reconsider Use of Licensed Lay Deacons
in Word and Sacrament Ministry
WHEREAS, There is an increasing number of congregations who
are unable to support a pastor and his family on a full time basis;
and
WHEREAS, The seminaries of the Synod have been unable to
satisfy the requests from the congregations of the Synod for
seminary graduates to serve them as ordained pastors; and
WHEREAS, Licensed Lay Deacons (LLD) served effectively in
the Synod from 1989–2016 (with a short pause); and

339

WHEREAS, The Synod has changed its position on the use of
LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry a number of times during
these years; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has affirmed its position that Word and
Sacrament ministry must be carried out under the Office of the
Ministry; and
WHEREAS, The number of congregations facing shared ministry
or potential closure continues to increase; and
WHEREAS, The present technological resources available to
congregations make supervision of LLDs by ordained ministers
more accessible and effective; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affirms the
Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit calls people to faith
in Jesus Christ and sustains them in that faith; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention establish a task force to
reconsider the use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry within
its congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That members of the task force specifically include
districts that have historically made extensive use of LLDs in Word
and Sacrament ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That any use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry
must occur under the direct supervision of an ordained minister; and
be it further
Resolved, That the appointed task force study the document,
Workers for His Harvest, submitted by the Northwest District Board
of Directors following the 2016 Synod convention; and be it finally
Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in
convention submit this resolution to the 2023 Synod convention.
California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Ov. 6-33

To Re-establish Path to SMP Ordination
for Those Serving as Deacons in the Synod
WHEREAS, There is a clear biblical foundation for the role of
deacon as a support to the apostolic ministry of Word and prayer
(Acts 6:1–7); and
WHEREAS, Deacons are to have similar personal, spiritual, moral,
and relational requirements as those who hold the office of
Episcopos or “Overseer” (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1–7 and 1 Tim. 3:8–13); and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
already in 1989 recognized the need to develop intentional lay
training programs in Synod districts to equip men as deacons to help
meet the needs of existing congregations; and
WHEREAS, Since 1989 several districts have indeed developed
formal and consistent training programs to properly equip laymen
to serve as deacons as requested by their respective congregations
and supervised by an ordained pastor on the roster of the Synod;
and
WHEREAS, There is already in existence an alternate route to
ordination for those who have been trained as rostered workers in
the Synod, taking into account their previous training and faithful
years of service; and
WHEREAS, 2016 Resolution 13-02A provided a process toward
ordination through regional colloquy for licensed deacons to be
rostered as Specific Ministry Pastors (SMP); therefore be it

2023 Convention Workbook