LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 240

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240 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

President Mueller is a man of God whose heart is motivated by
the Gospel. In difficult situations his approach is not first to find
some rule or law to settle the matter. He attempts to seek resolu-
tion on the basis of God’s love in Christ Jesus.

In addition to this Gospel motivation President Mueller exhibits
a heart attuned to the needs of people. His concern is that his ac-
tions build up his brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

President Mueller is guided by a conscience that wrestles hon-
estly with the issues. He first goes into the Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions, seeks the wisdom of those who have gone
before us in the faith, consults with brothers and sisters who are his
peers, and is open and forthright in his dealings with those who dis-
agree with him.

All of the above he undergirds with a deep love for the Lord’s
church and our Synod.

We are certain that these were the factors motivating President
Mueller in his decision to participate in the wedding in question.
We support him in that decision. We pray that this issue will be re-
solved in a manner pleasing to our Lord. We appeal to the Synod to
reassess its position in matters such as these so that further contro-
versy will not weaken our fellowship. To that end may our Lord
bless and guide our leaders.

Good Shepherd
Biloxi, MS

7-04

To Support District President Orval Mueller

WHEREAS, The President of the Southern District, Rev. Orval
Mueller, has been censured by the synodical President of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) for participating in a
familial wedding with a clergy member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who teaches at the ELCA
Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, The synodical President, in consultation with the
Praesidium, has considered this practice to be unionistic without
providing any evidence that such participation was a denial of truth
or acceptance of error, the traditional definition of unionism in the
historical writings of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and

WuerEas, The ELCA clergy member in question maintains his
communicant membership in a church of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod; he has held membership in LCMS congregations
consistently since his Baptism, 65 years ago; he is employed by the
Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., a seminary of the ELCA, as a
professor of history; and

WHEREAS, The synodical President and the Praesidium of the
LCMS have not shown how two Lutheran clergy, both of whom
hold membership in congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod, are in a unionistic relationship at a familial wedding of
their niece; and

WHEREAS, The local LCMS congregation in Watertown, South
Dak., voted to allow this wedding to take place with both Lutheran
clergy, who are the bride’s uncles, participating; a valid and pre-
cious prerogative guaranteed by the Constitution of the LCMS to
its congregations (cf: Art. VII of the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod); and

WHEREAS, Overtures have been sent to the convention request-
ing the synodical President to continue disciplinary action against
District President Mueller, including removal from his office as
District President, if necessary; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled, request
from the synodical President and the Praesidium further explana-
tion and clarification why Rev. Mueller’s censure was deemed jus-
tifiable and subject to further discipline; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled request the
Council of Presidents (COP) to address with greater clarity the pa-
rameters in which families within the Synod may participate with
other Lutherans, especially if all parties involved are members of

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregations, in such famil-
ial events as weddings and funerals.

St. Paul
Fort Lauderdale, FL

7-05

To Support President of Synod in His Role
as Chief Executive Officer
and Supervisor of District Presidents

WHEREAS, The President of the Synod is entrusted with the re-
sponsibility of supervision for the doctrine and the administration
of all District Presidents (Art. XI B 1); and

WHEREAS, “It is the President’s duty to see to it that all the
aforementioned act in accordance with the Synod’s Constitution,
to admonish all who in any way depart from it, and if such admo-
nition is not heeded, to report such cases to the Synod” (Art. XI B
2); and

WHEREAS, The President of the Synod is designated as “the
chief executive officer of the Synod” (Bylaw 3.101 a); and

WHEREAS, The role of the District Presidents has dramatically
increased in authority and importance in recent years; and

WHEREAS, The Constitution and Bylaws do not currently spec-
ify procedures through which the President of the Synod may ef-
fectively carry out his duties in the supervision of District Presi-
dents; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod, in convention assembled, support the
President of the Synod in his role as chief executive officer and su-
pervisor of the District Presidents and their functions; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That the President of the Synod be given the authority
in his duties in this area comparable to the District Presidents’ cur-
rent authority to restrict and suspend synodical members under
their ecclesiastical supervision; and be it finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod be instructed to care-
fully and lovingly follow these instructions.

Mount Hope
Casper, WY

To Give Synodical President Authority
“to Remove District Presidents from Office

Wuereas, “A District is the Synod itself performing the func-
tions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.07 a); and

WuerEAS, A District President does “regularly report to the
President of Synod” (Bylaw 4.71 b; cf., Bylaw 3.101 b); and

WHEREAS, The President of Synod is charged with “supervision
regarding the doctrine and administration of ... all District Presi-
dents” (Constitution, Art. XI B 1 d); and

WHEREAS, An objective of Synod is to “conserve and promote
the unity of the true faith” (Constitution, Art. IIT 1); and

WHEREAS, There need to be checks and balances so that District
Presidents do not use their power to suspend pastors or congrega-
tions in a tyrannous fashion; and

WueEreEAas, The District Presidents should behave in a manner
that is an example to the members of their Districts and to others as
St. Paul states in 1 Tim. 2:7: “Moreover he (the Bishop, in this case
the D.P.) must have a good testimony among those who are out-
side, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil”; and

WHEREAS, Some District Presidents have not acted according to
these guidelines, in violation of the doctrinal and constitutional po-
sition of the Synod. This is wrong because it is a violation of the
scriptural and confessional position of the LCMS and is a violation
of their oath of office to support and carry out the Constitution, By- .
laws, and resolutions of the Synod; therefore be it