LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 255

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 255

WHEREAS, In the current process such pastors often do not re-
ceive calls in a timely manner, forcing them to find other employ-
ment and often to leave the ministry altogether, and

WHEREAS, It is often difficult to assess such difficulties due to
problems in the congregation and/or a lack of suitability or training
on the part of the pastor; and

WueRrEAS, The pastor in such a situation may need help in re-
assessing his calling in light of his own abilities; and

WHEREAS, There is no consistent program in Synod to help an
individual pastor who finds himself in this situation; and

WHEREAS, Our seminaries have both the staff and resources to
administer such a program; therefore be it

Resolved, That one of the seminaries be directed to set up a vol-
untary program of assessment and training for such pastors as have,
through such difficulties as described above, left their call, and yet
desire to continue in the pastoral ministry; and be it further

Resolved, That said program also address the needs of these
pastors and their families, who have often been traumatized by the
events which preceded their leaving of their call; and be it further

Resolved, That after such period of assessment the candidate
who through this process is deemed to be a good candidate for
placement be placed into a call by a process similar to that used for
first-time candidates.

Circuit 7 Forum
Michigan District

7-49

To Prohibit Forced Resignations
from Pastoral Office

WHEREAS, In accordance with Scripture, Lutheran theology
teaches that God calls men into the office of the holy ministry, and
removes the same, through the local congregation; and

WHEREAS, The congregation’s call or removal of a pastor is
valid when it is done in accordance with the Word of God; in such
cases the pastor is truly called or removed by God, and the congre-
gation is therefore simply the vehicle for the mediated action of the
triune God; and

WHEREAS, The biblically mandated reasons for the removal of a
pastor are persisting in doctrinal error, the living of an immoral life,
clear incompetence, and willful neglect of duties; and

WHEREAS, When such instances of unfaithfulness have been es-
tablished through due process, the pastor’s call is terminated by
God through the voice of the congregation. Since he has been re-
moved by God, he is not eligible for a call from another congrega-
tion; and

WHEREAS, When it is found that the pastor has been faithful in
regard to doctrine, life and duty, it is certain that God therefore up-
holds and keeps him as a called minister of the Word. Thus the
congregation has no authority to remove, or force his resignation
in any way; and

WHEREAS, When a pastor is forced to resign who would other-
wise be found unfaithful by due process, it does harm to the church
at large by allowing that pastor to be eligible for another call, in
which congregation he may continue in the same unfaithfulness; in
addition, eternal harm may be done to the pastor, who is not shown
the error of his way and brought to repentance; and

WHEREAS, When a pastor is forced to resign who would other-
wise be found faithful by due process, it does harm to the innocent
pastor and his family; and subjects the will of God to anarchy;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the practice of forcing a pastor’s resignation be
prohibited in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That all removals from the pastoral office continue
with due process, in agreement with the congregation's constitu-

tion and bylaws, and in accord with the aforementioned scriptural
reasons for removal.

Mt. Calvary

Miltona, MN

7-50

To Place Congregations in English and SELC Districts
into Geographic Districts of Synod

WHEREAS, The language used in the work of the English Dis-
trict was the English language, and Slovak was the main language
of the SELC, while in the rest of the Synod German was the pre-
dominant vernacular; and

WHEREAS, Now the English language is most commonly used
in the congregations of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That, in the interest of making better use of time and
money, congregations of the English and SELC Districts be placed
into the geographic Districts of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the above action be taken in the spirit expressed
by President H. P. Eckhardt of the English Synod at the time the
English Synod became a District of the German Evangelical
Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, May 15,
1911: “May our God in heaven close this chapter with an approv-
ing ‘Amen.” And we add to it the old motto of Missouri: Soli Deo
Gloria!”

Adair Circuit Forum
Iowa District West

7-51

To Begin Study Toward Restructuring Synod

WHEREAS, The Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod were created largely to facilitate communication in an era
when both travel and communication were difficult; and

WHEREAS, Many of the travel and communication problems of
the early 20th century have been resolved through advancing tech-
nology; and

WHEREAS, We stand on the threshold of a new century in which
the resources of the church might better be used for mission and
ministry rather than in redundant structures and services, and

WuerEasS, Mission and ministry needs are increasingly being
addressed by local mission action councils, mission societies,
school associations, and other local groupings; and

WHEREAS, The congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod are increasingly able to contact the offices and leaders
of the Synod through computer and other rapid telecommunications
systems; and

WHEREAS, The many Districts and administrative units of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are very costly in both dollars
and use of personnel; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod begin a study toward a restructuring of
the Synod with a view toward reducing administrative personnel
and structures, including existing Districts; and be it further

Resolved, That a report and recommendation be presented to the
next triennial convention of the Synod.

Immanuel
Valparaiso, IN

7-52

To Implement Downsizing of All District Offices

WHEREAS, The trend in recent years has been to increase the
number of paid employees at some District offices; and

WHEREAS, This has caused a decline in the percentage of mis-
sion monies sent to our synodical office; and