LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 175

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 175

Resolved, That The Missouri Synod formally repent of this false
teaching, rescind the 1969 resolution which permitted women vot-
ers in congregational assemblies and return once again to the full
truth of God as revealed in Holy Scriptures and supported in our
Synod until 1969.

St. John, Waterbury, CT; Mount Hope, Casper, WY

3-69

To Empower Women to Be All They Should Be
WuEREAS, The role of both men and women in the world has
dramatically changed in 2,000 years; and

WHEREAS, Great amounts of time, talent, and treasure have
been exhausted in studying the role of women in the church; and

WHEREAS, Women are not the enemy of the church; therefore
be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod em-
power women to be all they should be according to God’s plan in
their lives.

Bethlehem
Minnetonka, MN

3-70

To Encourage Leadership Training

WHEREAS, The need for leadership training for both men and
women is increasingly vital for the health and growth of our con-
gregations; and .

WHEREAS, Women are becoming a larger part of our Lutheran
population; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations be encouraged to utilize the
leadership gifts of women; and be it further

Resolved, That leaders of our Synod and the professors of our
Seminaries encourage the priesthood of all believers and the lead-
ership of women in our congregations regardless of gender.

Pacific Southwest District

3-71

To Permit Congregations to Decide Role
of Women as Officers

WHEREAS, The LCMS, in conventions, appears to fear women
as church leaders; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has ruled
that the offices of chair and vice-chair may be held by women; and

WHEREAS, Women are not seeking to usurp authority, but rather
to serve; therefore be it

Resolved, That we recognize congregational autonomy to de-
cide the role of women as officers on an individual basis.

Bethlehem
Minnetonka, MN

3-72

To Encourage Adoption
of “The Service of Women in Congregational Offices”

WHEREAS, On Nov. 16, 1994, the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations adopted the document entitled “The Service of
Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices”; and

Wuereas, The 1995 convention urged members of the Synod
in Res. 3-06A, to study this document; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR document is scripturally based and en-
Courages appropriate service for women as they are called and as
the functions of the position permit their service; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod, at its 1998 Convention, be encouraged to
adopt this study of the service of women in congregational and syn-
odical offices.

Southern District

3-73

To Reaffirm That Only Men May Hold
the Pastoral Office

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has consis-
tently stated and reaffirmed on the basis of Scripture (1 Cor.
11:1-14; 1 Cor. 14:33-35; 1 Tim. 2:] 1-14) that the pastoral office
is to be entrusted only to men (see 1969 Res. 2-17; 1971 Res. 2 04;
1977 Res. 3-15; 1986 Res. 3-10: 1989 Res. 3-14); and

WHEREAS, Several congregations within the Synod in recent
years have submitted overtures asking the Synod to change its
Scriptural position and allow the ordination of women to the holy
ministry; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1998 convention of the LCMS strongly reaf-
firm its previous resolutions on this issue and unequivocally de-
clare once again that Scripture clearly teaches that only men may
hold the pastoral office and/or Carry out any of its distinctive func-
tions; and be it further

Resolved, That the pastors, teachers, professional church work-
ers, and congregations of the Synod honor and uphold this clear
scriptural teaching.

Prince of Peace
Hartford, IN

3-74

To Reaffirm Teaching That Ordination
of Women to Pastoral Office Is a Sin
WHEREAS, The ELCA and many other churches actively prac-
tice the ordination of women into the pastoral office: and
WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures are clear and plain in saying that
women are not to teach in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim.
2:11-14; 1 Tim. 3:1-7): and
WHEREAS, Any willful sin against God results in the loss of the
Holy Spirit; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its biblical position that
women cannot be ordained to the pastoral office; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS reaffirm its position that the ordina-
tion of women to the pastoral office is a willful offense against the
Word of God and is therefore of Satan; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS continue to proclaim the truth of
God’s Word in this matter; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS call those who continue this unholy
Practice to repentance and also rejoice when they turn from their
sin.
Our Saviour
Evansville. IN

3-75

To Forbid Reading of Scriptures by Women
in Public Services

WHEREAS, The majority of Lutheran churches ordain women
pastors; and

WHEREAS, The feminist movement and theologies have had in-
fluences in all aspects of church life in such matters as the use of
gender neutral language in liturgy and Bibles; and

WHEREAS, The use of such gender neutral language puts aside
the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and gives a nonbiblical view of the
relationship of men and women; and