LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 178

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178 : THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Resolved, That we affirm and thank our gracious God for the
doubly honorable service of those pastors who under such duress
have nonetheless exhibited steadfast faithfulness to the Word.

Concordia
South Haven, MN

3-83

To Affirm Office of Pastor

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions state in Art. XIV of the
Augsburg Confession, “Our churches teach that nobody should
preach publicly in the church or administer the sacraments unless
he is regularly called”; and

WHEREAS, Confusion has arisen with the various uses and prac-
tices of the term “lay minister” and thereupon their functions as
such, and

WHEREAS, All believers are priests, but not all are ministers; and

WHEREAS, Scripture directs such office only to men as a proper
picture of Jesus Christ as Son and Shepherd and head of the church;
therefore be it ~

Resolved, That we affirm the meaning and practice of Art. XIV
to be only those men, who are ordained to be pastors and who shall
preach and administer the sacraments as their “call” directs.

St. James
Scottsbluff, NE

3-84
To Require Laymen Who Seek Ordination
to Complete Program of Seminary Study
Rationale

For the accomplishment of its objectives (Constitution, Art. IID),
our Synod is committed to the centrality of the pastoral ministry
and congregations under their leadership. The Board for Higher Ed-
ucation has responsibility “to provide for the education of ordained
and commissioned ministers” (Bylaw 3.601). It is the Board’s judg-
ment that in order to preserve a high standard of doctrine and prac-
tice our Synod must maintain a foundational level of educational
and personal standards for ordination into the Holy Ministry.

The 1989 convention Res. 3-05B authorized District Presidents
to license laymen to provide Word and Sacrament ministry to
parishes in unusual circumstances. The 1995 convention Res. 3-
07A added the requirement that these licensed laymen apply for
admission to a seminary within two years of becoming licensed.
According to 3-07A, the layman is to seek seminary admission and
through an interview process receive a “specific course of study
(tailored to the needs in theological education of the applicant) ...
the majority of which should be taken through extension classes.”

Since the 1995 convention the two seminaries have developed a
program of off-campus seminary education based upon clusters of
students at specific locations (the Distance Education Leading To
Ordination program, “DELTO”). This seminary program provides
theological education while allowing students to remain in their
places of ministry. The availability of theological studies by a va-
riety of means and programs makes it reasonable to require that all
laymen seeking ordination receive a formal theological education.

The following actions will eliminate the provision that a li-
censed layman of 10 years’ experience can be colloquized (because
all are to enter a program of seminary study, 1995 Res. 3-07A).
The process of providing seminary education for licensed laymen is
also regularized.

Resolved,

1. That Bylaw 6.91! b be deleted;

2. That following Bylaw 2.09 e an additional point be added
that reads as follows:

Laymen licensed to perform Word and Sacrament ministry
(1989 Res. 3-05B) shall enter a program of seminary study (by ex-

tension, if necessary) within two years of initial licensure and com-
plete a program as specified by the seminaries within the provi-
sions of 1995 Res. 3-07A. Upon completion of the prescribed pro-
gram those students may be ordained after favorable evaluation and
formal placement. Licensed laymen seeking exemption from the
requirement to begin seminary study must receive approval annu-
ally from the Council of Presidents, and such exempted laymen
may not be ordained. Licensed laymen who are not exempted and
choose not to begin seminary study shall not be relicensed to pro-
vide Word and Sacrament ministry.

3. That the Secretary of Synod be authorized to bring the word-
ing of other Bylaws into conformity with the above changes.

Board for Higher Education
Concordia University System

3-85

To Study and Develop Standardization
for Interim Ministry

WuerEas, Intentional Interim Ministry is not a generally un-
derstood term, for this overture it shall be defined as service by pas-
tors with specific training who are working for a specific period of

time during pastoral vacancies with the intention of dealing with
specific issues within the life of a congregation; and

WHEREAS, Our Synod has historically walked together in defin-
ing and standardizing the office of the ordained ministry; and

WHEREAS, Other Christian church bodies have found value in
the use of Intentional Interim Ministry to address the challenges of
certain types of pastoral vacancies, i.e., a vacancy resulting from a
moral indiscretion or a chronic conflict within a congregation, or
following a long-term ministry; and

WHEREAS, Some Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod are utilizing Intentional Interim Ministry in some cases of
pastoral vacancies; and

WHEREAS, This approach to pastoral vacancies could well have
biblical precedent (Titus 1:5). as well as helpful contemporary ap-
plications; and

WHEREAS, It is uncertain how this approach to pastoral vacan-
cies conforms to our understanding of the doctrine of the call, the
office of the holy ministry and our adjudicatory; and

WHEREAS, If this approach to pastoral vacancies is to be uti-
lized, it should be regularized, and appropriately rostered and su-
pervised; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Nebraska District gathered in convention
memorialize the Synod to study the need and provide definition
and guidelines for intentional Interim Ministry; and be it further

Resolved, That should such study prove this approach to pas-
toral vacancies to be within our doctrines and practices, that the
Synod establish consistent training, rostering, and supervisory
processes for those who would do such work in our midst; and be it
finally

Resolved, Until such time as a process for Intentional Interim
Ministry is in place, the Synod work closely with Districts to help
resolve questions about duration, worker benefits, doctrinal super-
vision, and other concerns.

Nebraska District

3-86

To State Position on Ministry

WHEREAS, Jesus gave the authority of the Office of the Keys to
the Christian church; and

WHEREAS, The congregations of the Christian church give their
authority to their called pastors in the public ministry to preach the
Word and administer the sacraments, to forgive and retain sins; and

WHEREAS, We believe, teach, and confess that the pastor speaks

“In the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ” in his
office; and