LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 128

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128

RESOLUTIONS

ble for granting and maintaining RSO status; and be it further
Resolved, That any plan identifying a time frame of
three years or more must be approved by the Board for
Congregational Services; and be it further
Resolved, That in the future no RSO status be granted to
those Lutheran school associations that have ELCA Affiliated Schools Status (ELCA counterpart to LCMS RSO status) and that those associations with RSO status who subsequently obtain ELCA Affiliated Schools Status will lose
RSO status; and be it further
Resolved, That all current RSO school associations
which also presently have ELCA Affiliated Schools Status
shall continue to be Recognized Service Organizations provided that each meets all other criteria of the BFCS, so assuring that each one “engages in program activity that is
in harmony with the programs of the boards of the Synod,
and respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and
practice of the Synod” (Bylaw 14.03 a); and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod thank the RSO Task Force for
its work and report and commend it to the District Presidents and the BFCS for their further study and use.
Action: Adopted (6)
(Discussion of the resolution began during session 4 and continued during session 6, when an amendment to delete its sixth
resolve failed. The resolution was adopted without amendment
[yes: 787; no: 301].)

To Encourage Proper Respect
and Care of Our Professional Workers
RESOLUTION 2-03A
Overtures 2-08–10, 2-12 (CW, pp. 135–37)
WHEREAS, Art. III 8–10 of the Constitution of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod states that three of the
objectives of the Synod are to
8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors,
teachers, and other professional church workers of the Synod in
the performance of their official duties;
9. Provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other
church workers in the performance of their official duties and the
maintenance of their rights;
10. Aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and other
church workers, and their families … ; and

WHEREAS, Difficulties between professional workers and
their congregations, in violation of their mutual vows, are
becoming increasingly apparent to synodical and District
leaders; and
WHEREAS, Infighting within congregations takes a toll
on the congregations, pastors, other professional church
workers, and all their families, resulting in a poor witness
to our Lord and His church, scandalizing the Gospel witness in the community, and discouraging members from
considering professional church work as a vocation; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
reaffirm as its objectives, Article III, 2-3:
2. Strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the
world;
3. Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church
workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth;

200l Convention Proceedings

and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations and professional workers of the Synod be encouraged to humble themselves before the Lord in prayer and careful study of Holy Scripture
and the Table of Duties contained in the Small Catechism
in order to achieve peaceful resolutions to conflicts and to
promote a spirit of mutual love, respect, and understanding between workers and congregations; and be it finally
Resolved, That Districts use the structure in place in the
Synod (i.e., District Presidents, Circuit Counselors, Reconcilers) and prayerfully offer their services in a timely way
so as to defuse potentially volatile situations, and provide
straightforward admonition to any unreconciled parties to
bring about a spirit of forgiveness and Christian harmony.
Action: Adopted as amended (6)
(A motion to amend the resolution by inserting as a final
whereas the wording of the entire fourth whereas of Overture 212 (Workbook, p. 137) and by adding a new third resolve, That
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affirm the doctrine contained in Rev. Bode’s letter and put into practice the policy outlined in it as the synodwide policy in this matter, failed. It was
agreed by common consent to add the words and the Table of Duties contained in the Small Catechism to the second resolve after
the words study the Holy Scripture. The resolution was adopted
as edited without amendment [yes: 1,080; no: 35].)

To Encourage Removal of Clergy
Requirement for Some Synod
and District Positions
RESOLUTION 2-04
Overtures 2-13−15 (CW, pp. 137–38)
WHEREAS, The number of pastors in the LCMS decreased from 5,544 in 1987 to 5,215 in 1997—a decrease of
6 percent; and
WHEREAS, During this same period the number of pastors serving in synodical or District positions increased
from 247 to 422—an increase of 71 percent; and
WHEREAS, During that same period the number of vacant parishes increased from 598 to 971—an increase of 62
percent (all figures are from p. 414 of 1999 Lutheran Annual); and
WHEREAS, Our church body has a tremendous number of
very capable laypeople and commissioned ministers willing
to do whatever service our Lord calls them to fulfill; therefore be it
Resolved, That the boards of directors of the Synod and
the Districts be directed to reevaluate all positions currently mandating a pastor and where possible make
changes in personnel or policy manuals and initiate
changes in Bylaws, thus potentially making more pastors
available for service in parish ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That the boards of directors of the Synod and
the Districts should study whether all these administrative
positions are really necessary; and be it further
Resolved, That when the position does not require a pastor, the Districts and Synod be encouraged to make full use
of qualified laypeople and commissioned ministers; and be
it finally
Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall
be used to help carry out “The Great Commission” and shall