LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 179

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

WHEREAS, There appears to be a new teaching concerning the
office of the pastor which states that the “Pastor is Christ”: there-
fore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention reaffirm its position on the office of the public ministry.

Our Savior
Norfolk, NE

3-87

To Reject Temporary Calls for Pastors

WuerEAS, As the 1995 synodical convention instructed the
CTCR to study the issue of “temporary calls’’: and

WHEREAS, The CTCR has yet to issue any opinion on the “tem-
porary calls’’ for pastors; and

WHEREAS, As some members of our Synod are of the opinion
that there is no such thing as a permanent call in Scripture; and

WHEREAS, C. F. W. Walther, in his book Pastoral Theology,
States, “One called in this way {temporary call] is not to be consid-
ered a minister of Christ or the Church’”’ (p. 27); and

WHEREAS, Various resolutions in support of recertification of
pastors have appeared in various District convention workbooks;
and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod from its very
inception has repeatedly declared such “temporary calls’’ as being
contrary to Scripture and contrary to the Lutheran Confessions (i.e.,
“Original Constitution of LCMS,”’ Concordia Historical Institute
Quarterly, Oct. 1946; Lehre und Wehre, 1898; Pastoral Theologie,
C. F. W. Walther; AC XIV); and

WHEREAS, “Temporary calls”’ (i.€., recertification) is in essence
an attack upon Christ, who alone is the head of His church (recer-
tification is an already condemned Romanizing error with a new
name) and has established the pastoral office (“Mandatum Dei’’;
Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:8-16; 1 Cor. 12:28), which no man has the right
to overthrow no matter how good the intention is, for the pastoral
office belongs to Christ, not to us; and :

Wuereas, Recertification is in its essence an attack upon the
Gospel; for pastors would tend to become intimidated by the whole
Process of being recertified, and thus become reluctant to speak out
against doctrinal abuses and thereby fail to perform one of their
God-mandated responsibilities (Acts 20:26-31; | Tim. 3:1-13;
2 Tim, 2:2; 4:1-5; Titus 1:5—] 1; p. 45ff., Pastoral Theology, Fritz);
and

Wuereas, No human will or decision can or should dare set a
time limit to God’s will and call; and

WHEREAS, A congregation may and should depose a pastor only
when there are scriptural grounds for deposition; and

WHEREAS, The Scripture gives only false doctrine (Matt.
7:15—20; Gal. 1:8; 2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 1:9-11; 2 John 10), scandalous
life (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:3), and willful neglect of
duties (Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:5) as just causes for deposing a pastor;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1998 synodical convention explicitly dis-
avow, repudiate, and reject any and all attempts to establish the
practice of “temporary call,’’ whether it be by recertification or
some other process, as being contrary to Scripture and contrary to
the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That such convention, through the District Presidents,
admonish by letter all congregations to be supportive of their pas-
tors—as God’s called servants—so long as their pastors are faithful
to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That such convention reaffirm the scriptural teaching
that pastors may be deposed only for false doctrine, scandalous life,
or willful neglect of duties; resolving that the Synod and its Dis-
tricts and ail officials of the same shall adhere strictly to these prin-
ciples in giving assistance and advice to Pastors and congregations;
and be it further

179

Resolved, That all pastors be encouraged to make use of the
many fine continuing education courses offered by our Synod’s
seminaries, so that the pastors might grow in their ability to serve
the Lord and God’s people, whom they are called to serve; and be
it finally

Resolved, That all congregations encourage their pastors with
their prayers and financial support. so that they might be able to
take advantage of continuing education programs.

Salem
Taylorsville, NC

3-88

To Reject Temporary Calls of Pastors

WHEREAS, It has become a practice in some Districts of our
Synod to encourage and allow the issuance of “temporary” or “in-
terim” calls to the office of pastor; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod from its very
inception’ has repeatedly declared such “temporary calls” as being
contrary to Scripture and contrary to the Lutheran Confessions (i.e.
“Original Constitution of LCMS,” Concordia Historical Institute
Quarterly, Oct. 1946; Lehre und Wehre, 1898; Pastoral Theologie,
C. F. W. Walther; AC XIV); and

WHEREAS, “Temporary calls” (such as recertification and oth-
ers with definite or undefined yet implied time limits) is in essence
an attack upon Christ, who alone is the head of His church (recer-
tification is an already condemned Romanizing error with a new
name) and has established the pastoral office (“Mandatum Dei”:
Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:8-16; 1 Cor. 12:28), which no man has the right
to overthrow no matter how good the intention is, for the pastoral
office belongs to Christ, not to us: and

WHEREAS, “Temporary calls” requiring recertification is in its
essence an attack upon the Gospel; for pastors would tend to be-
come intimidated by the whole process of being recertified, and
thus become reluctant to speak out against doctrinal abuses and
thereby fail to perform one of their God-mandated responsibilities
(Acts 20:26-31; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 2 Tim. 2:2, 4:1-5; Titus 1:5-11;
p. 45ff., Pastoral Theology, Fritz); and

WHEREAS, No human will or decision can or should dare set a
time limit to God’s will and call; and

WHEREAS, A congregation may and should depose a pastor only
when there are scriptural grounds for deposition; and

WHEREAS, The Scripture gives only false doctrine (Matt.
7:15-20; Gal. 1:8; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 1:9-11; 2 John 10), scandalous
life (1 Tim. 3:1~7; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:3), and willful neglect of
duties (Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:5) as just causes for deposing a pastor;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention assembled explicitly disavow, repudiate, and reject any and
all attempts to establish the practice of “temporary” or “interim”
calls, whether it be by recertification or some other process, as
being contrary to Scripture and contrary to the Lutheran Confes-
sions; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention, through the synodical President,
admonish by letter, all congregations to be supportive of their pas-
tors—as God’s called servants—so long as their pastors are faithful
to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it finally

Resolved, That this convention reaffirm the scriptural teaching
that pastors may be deposed only for false doctrine, scandalous life.
or willful neglect of duties: resolving that the District and all offi-
cials of the District shall adhere strictly to these principles in giving
assistance and advice to pastors and congregations.

Grace
Paris, TX