LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 2

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Resolved, That we commend this study, as well as the study of the special committee
reported in the Proceedings, 1956 (pp. 553-569), to all congregations of the Synod; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Synod accept the following declarations as guides on this matter:
1. Those statements of Scripture which direct women to keep silent in the church and
which prohibit them to teach and to exercise authority over men, we understand to mean that
women ought not to hold the pastoral office or serve in any other capacity involving the
distinctive functions of this office.
2. The principles set forth in such passages, we believe, prohibit holding any other kind
of office or membership on boards or committees in the institutional structures of a congregation,
only if this involves women in a violation of the order of creation. We hold that they do not
prohibit full membership of women on synodical boards, commissions, and committees. The
manner of filing an office or establishing membership on a board or commission, in
congregations or in the Synod, has no prohibitory Scriptural implications.
3. We hold likewise that Scripture does not prohibit women from exercising the
franchise in congregational or synodical assemblies.
4. We therefore conclude that the Synod itself and the congregations of the Synod are at
liberty to alter their policies and practices in regard to women’s involvement in the work of the
church according to these declarations, provided the polity developed conforms to the general
Scriptural principles that women neither hold the pastoral office nor “exercise authority over
men.”; and be it finally
Resolved, That in the implementation of any changes in this area of women’s ministry in
the church we urge cautious and deliberate action in the spirit of Christian love.
3. 1970 Opinion of Commission on Constitutional Matters,
“Suggestions for Congregational Constitutions or Bylaws
regarding the Privileges of Women (Voting and Holding Office)”
The President of the Synod and many congregations have requested the Commission on
Constitutional Matters to give guidance to those congregations which desire to incorporate in
their constitutions or bylaws the provisions adopted by the Denver convention regarding woman
suffrage.
The commission recommends that each congregation contemplating changes in this
respect study thoroughly again Resolution 2-17 of the Denver convention, especially the
following points:
Resolved, That the Synod accept the following declarations as guides on this matter:
1. Those statements of Scripture which direct women to keep silent in the church and
which prohibit them to teach and to exercise authority over men, we understand to mean that
women ought not to hold the pastoral office or serve in any other capacity involving the
distinctive functions of this office.
2. The principles set forth in such passages, we believe, prohibit holding any other kind
of office or membership on boards or committees in the institutional structures of a congregation,
only if this involves women in a violation of the order of creation. We hold that they do not
prohibit full membership of women on synodical boards, commissions, and committees. The
manner of filling an office or establishing membership on a board or commission, in
congregations or in the Synod, has no prohibitory Scriptural implications.