LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 278

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278 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

7-128

To Continue Use of Current Nomenclature
for Commissioned Ministers

Rationale

The 1983 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod adopted Res. 5-09A, “To Classify Ministers of Religion,”
in which it declared “unequivocally which positions are regarded
by the Synod as contributing vitally to discharging the office of the
public ministry” by classifying them as “Ministers of Religion, Or-
dained” and “Ministers of Religion, Commissioned.” The subse-
quent 15 years of common usage and careful education have af-
firmed that “‘Ministers of Religion, Ordained’ and ‘Ministers of
Religion, Commissioned’ are regarded fully by the Synod as min-
isters of religion, entitled to be regarded as such by all, in recogni-
tion of the fact, that even though the functions between and within
these two categories may differ, all these functions contribute vi-
tally to discharging the office of the public ministry.” This nomen-
clature has gained wide acceptance and understanding in the Synod
and by government agencies.

Recently, the Nomenclature Study Committee has suggested
nomenclature titles, especially for commissioned ministers, the pur-
pose of which appears to remove the historically approved usage
of “minister” or “ministry” from called workers who are not or-
dained. These proposals would cause confusion in the church and
discouragement for those who faithfully serve in the officially ros-
tered, commissioned ministry of the church.

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in con-
vention affirm the continued use of the current nomenclature,
“Minister of Religion, Ordained” and ‘Minister of Religion, Com-
missioned” to classify positions of the public ministry.

Zion
Mayer, MN

7-129

To Hold Nomenclature Study Findings in Abeyance

WHEREAS, We believe that the term minister or ministry needs
to be included in any description of commissioned workers; and

WHEREAS, The document did not provide an opportunity for re-
cipients to indicate a preference for “no change in nomenclature”
and therefore communicates a false impression of the preferences
of Ministers of Religion, Commissioned; and

WHEREAS, A significant number of Lutheran church workers
(nonrostered) were not sent a survey or given the opportunity to re-
spond, and some rostered ministers were inadvertently omitted
from survey participation; and

WueREAS, The survey deadline did not allow sufficient time for
discussion and study among many of our church workers, and since
the opportune time for educators to discuss the study would be
their fall conferences, most of which occur after the Oct. 1, 1997,
deadline; therefore be it

Resolved, That the NSC extend the period for responses; and be
it further

Resolved, That no changes in the current nomenclature practice
be recommended to the 1998 synodical convention to allow con-
gregations, ministers, and laypeople the opportunity to study and
diseuss the issue in a reasonable way that is more inclusive; and be
it finally

Resolved, That the current NSC be thanked for their efforts and
be dismissed and a new committee be appointed that is more sta-
tistically representative of ordained and commissioned ministers
along with lay congregational members for the next round of study.

Board of Directors
Atlantic District

7-130

To Maintain Listing of Lay Teachers

WuerEAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has initiated
the Genesis Project to encourage new Lutheran schools; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is unable to
recruit and provide a sufficient number of synodically trained
teachers to fully staff our current number of Lutheran schools; and

WHEREAS, We could neither maintain our current number of
schools, nor be able to add to that number, without the benefit of
lay teachers; and

WHEREAS, These lay teachers are making positive significant
contributions to the Christian educational ministry of our Lutheran
schools; therefore be it

Resolved, That we honor and indicate our recognition and ap-
preciation of these lay teachers by continuing the practice of listing
their names in The Lutheran Annual under category 3 (Certified
Church Workers, Lay).

Board of Directors
Minnesota South District

7-131

To Provide Listing of Other

Full-time Congregational Workers

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Annual is a convenient place for all
professional congregational workers to list their names, addresses
and telephone numbers; therefore, be it

Resolved, that the congregations of the Synod be provided a
form on which they may list the names, addresses and telephone
numbers of all professional workers serving their congregations in
a full-time capacity who are not on the roster of the Synod; and be
it further

Resolved, that this list in The Lutheran Annual be clearly dis-
tinguished from the two rostered categories of church workers in
the Synod in order to prevent confusion or a clear lack of distinc-
tion between the Synod’s certified and rostered church workers,
and those persons serving congregations who are not on the roster
of the Synod.

Nomenclature Study Committee

7-132

To Correct Abuses by Amending Appeals Procedure
for Materials Already Published

WueREAS, Bylaw 11.15 provides an “Appeals Procedure for
Materials Already Published’’; and

WHEREAS, An appeal was made to the Commission on Doctrinal
Review, challenging the original doctrinal review certification of
a book co-authored by our brother pastor of Circuit 9 of the Min-
nesota South District; and

WHEREAS, The Praesidium of Synod was, at the same time,
hearing an appeal of charges of false doctrine against our brother
pastor which were based on the same book; and

WHEREAS, Our brother pastor learned of the challenge to the
doctrinal review certification of the book he co-authored only indi-
rectly; and

WHEREAS, The Bylaws of Synod specify that “To aid in main-
taining objectivity, the identity of the challenger and the identity
of the panel will ordinarily not be disclosed’’; and

WHEREAS, On the other hand, appeals to the Praesidium are
open matters with the complainants being identified and the review
panel (namely, the Praesidium) being known to all involved par-
ties; and

WHEREAS, No challenge had been issued to the book’s original
doctrinal review certification during the five years since its publi-
cation by Concordia Publishing House, until after charges of false
doctrine against our brother pastor relating to the content of the