LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 174

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174 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

and Church Relations to restudy the biblical and theological basis
for ordaining women; and be it further

Resolved, That the delegates at this convention affirm the de-
sire to provide for the ordination of women as soon as possible.

Resurrection
Coronado. CA

3-64

To Study Service of Women in the Church

WHEREAS. Women as well as men have been gifted by God for
service in His church; and

WHEREAS, Both women and men were a very important part of
Christ's inner circle and ministry; and

WHEREAS, St. Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, points out
that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus”
(Gal. 3:28); and

WHEREAS, Women may very well use the gifts that God gives to
women for service in His church without “usurping authority” and
WHEREAS, When we fail to value the gifts that God gives to
women for service in His church we lose a valuable resource for
the work of ministry; and
WuEREAS, The means of grace are effective regardless of the
person; and
Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has provided
increasing opportunity for women to serve in the church; therefore
be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod make
every effort to expand the role of women in the mission and min-
istry of the church with increased opportunities for women serving
in the church, including the possibility of women’s ordination.
St. John
Portland, OR

3-65

To Confirm Synod’s Confession
on Who Can Hold Pastoral Office

WHEREAS, The question of whether a woman may hold the pas-
toral office has been clearly answered both in 1 Cor. 14:34, 35, and
in | Tim. 2:11-14 and in the example of our Lord, who chose 12
men to be His disciples; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled declare that
it is contrary to the Word of God to hold that women can hold the
pastoral office; and be it further

Resolved, That those pastors who teach that women can hold
the pastoral office be counseled as those who teach contrary to the
Word of God, who if they persist in holding that woman may hold
the pastoral office, be themselves removed from that office.

St. Paul
Brookfield, IL

To Reject Ordination of Women
into Pastoral Ministry

WHEREAS, Christ, by His example of choosing only male apos-
tles, and by speaking through His Holy Spirit to His apostles
(1 Cor. 14:20-38; 1 Tim. 7:8-3:7; etc.), plainly forbids that women
should hold the office of the public ministry; and

Wuereas. The office of the public ministry is limited to select
males (1 Tim. 3:1-7, ete.); and

WHEREAS, Christ and the Holy Spirit Himself has warned us
against deceivers in these latter days (Matt. 24, etc.), including false
shepherds who are in fact ravening wolves (Acts 20:25-31); and

WHEREAS, Many pastors and District Presidents have openly
claimed that Christ does not forbid women to be pastors, contrary
to the very words and practice of the Holy Spirit, the prophets and
apostles; therefore be it

Resolved. That any pastor, District President, or any rostered
“minister” (by synodical definition) who publicly teaches or im-
plies that Christ approves of women “pastors” (sic), or who associ-
ates with organized or informal groups known to advocate such a
policy, be removed from the roster of the LCMS by the President
of Synod should they not publicly recant of this false doctrine by
written letter to the President of the Synod: and be it further

Resolved, That District resolutions which conflict with this
overture be immediately declared null and void.

Messiah. Middletown, OH; Trinity. fuka, IL

3-67

To Reaffirm That Holy Scriptures Prohibit
Women from Serving as Pastors

WHEREAS, There is tremendous pressure exerted on our church
from society and from errant church bodies to ordain women into
the office of the holy ministry: and

WHEREAS. The holy apostolic Scriptures state without any
equivocation that the ordination of women to the office of pastor is
contrary to Holy Scripture: 1 Cor. 11:3; 14:34: Eph. 5:22-23;
] Tim. 2:11—12; 3:15: Titus 2:3-5, and | Pet. 3:16; therefore be
it ‘

Resolved, That the LCMS pledge its faithfulness to the teach-
ing of Christ, as revealed through His apostles, that the office of
the holy ministry is a responsibility to be entrusted only to qualified
men; and be it further

Resolved, That any pastor who publicly advocates a position
contrary to the position of Synod as provided in Art. XII of the syn-
odical Constitution shall be removed from membership in the
LCMS.

Mount Hope
Casper, WY

3-68

To Rescind Action Permitting Women’s
Suffrage in Congregations

Wuereas, Holy Scripture clearly forbids women to assert au-
thority over men in God's church (Gen. 2:18; Gen. 3:16: | Cor.
11:3: 1 Cor. 14:34, 37; Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18; | Tim. 2:11: 1 Tim.
3:1: Titus 2:3; | Peter 3:1); and

Wuereas, God has conferred upon every congregation the awe-
some power of the keys, a power that opens and closes the very
gates of heaven; and

WHEREAS, This power of the keys is administered by the vot-
ers’ assembly in a local congregation; and

WHEREAS, From 1847 to 1969 the Missouri Synod clearly af-
firmed that Scripture forbids women to be members of the congre-
gational voters’ assembly; and

WHEREAS. Even as late as 1959, when a small number of con-
gregation were permitting women voters. the synodical convention
resolved that “We urge all congregations which grant woman suf-
frage ... to recognize the validity of the Synod’s historical position
and to reconsider their practice with the view to bringing it into

harmony with this position”; and
WHEREAS, It was not until 1969 that women voters were Offi-
cially sanctioned in the LCMS: and ;
WHEREAS. 1969 was a time when theological errors and false
teachers were rampant throughout the Missouri Synod; therefore
be it