LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 172

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172

RESOLUTIONS

(This resolution was introduced in session 5, when it was not
adopted [yes: 402; no: 694]. During the same session a motion to
reconsider was carried and the committee brought the resolution
back in session 9. At the request of the committee, legal counsel
for the Synod commented on IRS considerations. The resolution
was adopted by the required two-thirds vote necessitated by the
resulting change to Articles V and XII the Constitution of the
Synod [yes: 805; no: 294]. The final resolve is added as required
by Res. 1-02, adopted by the convention in an earlier session.)

the Constitution of the Synod and the required two-thirds majority vote was not received, the resolution failed to be adopted.)

To Place Directors of Family Life
Ministry on Roster

Rationale
There has been a proliferation of church worker categories added to the roster of the Synod. This creates confusion both within and outside the Synod. It would seem advantageous, therefore, to look at the possibility of
identifying only two categories of workers, without subcategories: Minister of Religion—Ordained, and Minister of
Religion—Commissioned; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Board
for Higher Education to develop a set of criteria for admission to the category Minister of Religion—Commissioned,
which shall include all of the current and any subsequent
subcategories, and present a report to the 2004 convention;
and be it further
Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be
used to help carry out “The Great Commission” and shall
not in any way detract or distract from the primary mission
of God’s kingdom here on earth. We will remember 1-02!

RESOLUTION 7-15
Overture 7-33 (CW, p. 249)
Rationale
The need for congregations and schools to provide ministry in the area of family life is steadily growing. In response to this need, the Board for Higher Education/Concordia University System previously approved the
establishment of a program of preparation in family life at
Ann Arbor.
The Family Life program is multidisciplinary, emphasizing theology, sociology, law, economics, and psychology. The
Family Life graduate will possess the theological, academic,
and practical training needed for providing specialized ministry to families in a variety of situations and settings.
Students preparing for the position “Director of Family
Life Ministry” will participate in a program of study that
conforms to the requirements established by the Concordia
University System for admitting, monitoring, and placing
church vocations students. The requirements for the study
of theology are the same as for Lutheran Teacher and Director of Christian Education students.
Family Life ministry programs on Concordia University
System campuses will maintain the academic standards for
program certification by the National Council on Family
Relations (or a similar certifying body), so that graduates
will also be eligible for professional licensure.
The Family Life ministry program has now been recognized by the CUS Presidents as a significant ministry that
will benefit the LCMS. It therefore seems appropriate that
the BHE/CUS Board approve the Family Life ministry program as a church work program and recommend it to the
convention for adoption as a church work program. Graduates of the program will be certified as “Directors of Family
Life Ministry” and entitled to be placed on the roster of the
LCMS as Ministers of Religion—Commissioned.
Resolved, That persons who are graduates of a Director
of Family Life ministry program recognized by the Board
for Higher Education/Concordia University System and
who are called by qualified LCMS entities be rostered as
members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (Ministers of Religion—Commissioned); and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Synod be directed to
follow the established processes for bringing the Constitution and Bylaws into conformity with this resolution.
Action: Declined (5)
(This resolution was declared adopted by the Chair at the time
of its presentation and discussion [yes: 686; no: 410]. Because,
however, its terms necessitate a change to Articles V and XII of

200l Convention Proceedings

To Recommend Study of Simplification
of Roster Categories
RESOLUTION 7-16
Overtures 7-12, 7-31–7-33 (CW, pp. 241, 248–49)

Action: Adopted (10)
(The resolution was adopted without amendment [yes: 1,030;
no: 64]. The final resolve is added as required by Res. 1-02,
adopted by the convention in an earlier session.)

To Affirm Synod’s Official Position
on Church and Ministry
RESOLUTION 7-17A
Overture 7-39 (CW, p. 251)
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) has experienced during its history confusion with
regard to the doctrine of church and ministry; and
WHEREAS, Dr. C. F. W. Walther addressed this confusion
in 1851 through his Theses on Church and Ministry, which
were subsequently declared to be the position of the LCMS
in 1851; and
WHEREAS, The book The Voice of Our Church on the
Question of Church and Ministry, by Dr. C. F. W. Walther,
was published in 1852. The LCMS in convention declared
this book to be the pure doctrine (reine Lehre) of church and
ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
meeting in convention in the year of our Lord 2001 affirm
the above referenced writings of C. F. W. Walther as the
definitive statement under Holy Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions of the Synod’s understanding on the
subject of church and ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention reaffirm the decision of the 1852 convention in recognizing C. F. W.
Walther’s book, The Voice of Our Church on the Question
of Church and Ministry, as the official position of the
LCMS; and be it further