LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 150

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

150 CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

Resolved, That all congregations of Synod be encouraged to re-
view their compensation policies to determine if they are penalizing
any workers for roster status and to correct the inequity if it is
found; and be it further

Resolved, That all institutions that seek synodical recognition
(i.e., schools operated by more than one congregation, Recognized
Service Organizations, etc.) be required to ensure that the type of
inequity described above does not exist to continue to receive their
recognition; and be it finally

Resolved, That all synodically owned institutions (i-e.. Concor-
dia University System, Concordia Publishing House, District of-
fices, International Center, etc.) are required to review their own
compensation policies in the next 120 days to determine if there is
a financial penalty for rostered workers of the type described above
and to take corrective action beginning with their next fiscal year or
sooner if possible.

Bethlehem
River Grove, IL

2-83

To Discourage Photography
during Convention Worship

Wuereas, Divine worship is to be Christ centered and Christ
focused; and

Wuereas, Divine worship (whether in a church building, con-
vention center, the great outdoors, etc.) is intended to worship and
glorify our God; as well as uplift and edify the body of believers—
the church; and

Wuereas, According to our historical perception of worship,
that worship is to be conducted orderly and decently; and.

Wuereas, In our regular congregational worship we discourage
and in some cases prohibit the use of cameras or any electronic de-
vices that detracts from the worship focus; therefore be it

Resolved, That any photography/videotaping, etc., to be done
during a worship service should be done discreetly and be restricted
to those devices that are on a stationary mount or in specially des-
ignated areas in the convention hall/worship location.

St. Paul
Ashland, KY

2-84

To Clarify Mutual Responsibility
of Pastors and Congregations

Rationale

Throughout its 150 years of history, The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod has upheld the scriptural doctrine of church and
ministry by seeking to protect and promote the rights and privileges
of both pastors and congregations while emphasizing their mutual
responsibility. .

This scriptural doctrine is increasingly violated by pastors who
deal with their congregations in autocratic ways and by congrega-
tions who treat their pastors as hired servants.

An opinion adopted Sept. 21, 1990, by the Commission on The-
ology and Church Relations further complicates the relationship of
pastors and congregations by implying that a congregation’s “re-
sponsible judgment” that its pastor is “detrimental to its God-given
mission” constitutes valid reason for dismissal (Convention Pro-
ceedings, 1992. p. 67).

For the protection of its member congregations and pastors in
the exercise of their God-given duties, the Synod in convention
reaffirms the scriptural responsibilities of the pastoral office and
valid reasons tor the discipline and removal of pastors.

Wrereas, Holy Scripture clearly teaches that men called to the
office of the public ministry must be given to faithfulness in doc-
trine, diligence in service, and holiness of life:

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful
instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2)

The overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but
one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,
able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle,
not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own
family well and see that his children obey him with proper re-
spect. (1 Tim. 3:2-4)

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has
been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine
and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9)

and

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture also clearly teaches that congrega-
tions are to regard their pastors as the called servants of Christ:

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard
among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish
you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their
work, Live in peace with each other. (1 Thess. 5:12—13)

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep
watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them
so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be
of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions highly prize the duties and
rights of both congregations and pastors:

It is taught among us that nobody should publicly teach or
preach or administer the sacraments in the church without a reg-
ular call. (Augsburg Confession XIV)

It is good to extol the ministry of the Word with every pos-
sible kind of praise in opposition to the fanatics who dream that
the Holy Spirit does not come through the Word but because of
their own preparations. (Apology XIII 12)

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its historic un-
derstanding of the duties and responsibilities of the pastoral office,
holding its pastors accountable for doctrinal faithfulness, pastoral
diligence, and godliness of life; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention advise its member con-
gregations of their duty to honor the public ministry of the Word of
God and the Sacraments by faithfully receiving the ministry of their
pastor(s); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention instruct the Commis-
sion on Constitutional Matters to revise the Bylaws of Synod to
stipulate that member congregations may dismiss a pastor from his
office only for valid scriptural reasons:

1. Persistence in false doctrine

2. Inability or unwillingness to perform scripturally defined pas-
toral duties
3. Public immorality; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention call upon its members,
both pastors and congregations, to fulfill their reciprocal responsi-
bilities and to devote themselves mutually to “the apostles’ teach-

ing and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts
2:42).

Circuit 3 Forum
South Wisconsin District

2-85

To Warn against Assuming Role
of Psychotherapist and to Encourage Church Workers
to Perform Their Duties as Prescribed
in Lutheran Confessions

WHEREAS, It has become an increasingly common practice in
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for pastors, District offi-
cials, educators, and synodical officials to become involved in
“counseling” of every variety; and