LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 185

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 185

WHEREAS, No policies or guidelines have been developed or cir-
culated throughout the Synod concerning the [Intentional Interim
Ministry; and

WHEREAS. The Intentional] Interim Ministry would seem to cre-
ate a pastoral ministry with limited duration, placing on hold the
regular call tor a pastor for up to two years; and

Wuereas, C. F. W. Walther warms against such temporary calls
(Pastoral Theology, pp. 26-29); and

WHEREAS, The original Overture 3-17 identifics the need to re-
frain from the kind of temporary calls warned against by Walther:
and

WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents has not fulfilled the re-
quest to set guidelines and policies for the Intentional Interim Min-
istry, per Res. 3-17B; therefore be it

Resolved, That proper policies and guidelines be developed by a
task force established by President Barry; and be it further

Resolved, That the policies and guidelines then be submitted for
review and study by the CTCR to justify the Intentional Interim
Ministry in light of Walther’s warning against temporary calls: and
be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod construct a simple letter stating guide-
lines to use in the event of a vacancy with instructions about the
proper use of the vacancy pastor and the congregation’s right to
choose its pastor.

Pilgrim, West Bend, WI; Zion. Tomball. TX

3-88

To Support Intentional Interim Ministry

WHEREAS, Difficult transitional periods sometimes occur in the
life of a congregation, such as when a long-time pastor retires. a
pastor dies suddenly while in office, a congregation and its pas-
tor(s) are involved in conflict, or a congregation is affected by the
moral misconduct of a professional church worker; and

WHEREAS, Experience has shown that a congregation often re-
covers and advances best when these issues have bcen worked
through during an interim period of reflection, confession, forgive-
ness, reconciliation, and rebuilding guided by a specially trained
pastor; theretore be it

Resolved, That our Synod recognize the validity of the concept
of calling an intentional interim minister by a congregation during
these transitional periods; and be it further

Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the pastors, leaders.
and lay people who have faithfully been studying and developing
the Intentional Interim Ministry program within our Synod consis-
tent with our Lutheran understanding of the Office of the Ministry.

Florida-Georgia Disuict: Board of Directors, New England
District: Christ, Mantua, OH; Holy Cross, Pacific Palisades,
CA; Hope, Aurora, OH; Bethany, Parma, OH; St. Matthew,

Vermilion, OH; Ascension, North Olmsted, OH; Prince of

Peace. Orlando, FL

3-89

To Support Interim Ministry Conference

WHEREAS, Experience has shown that often congregational un-
rest and a continuing turnover of pastors and pastoral vacancies
occur and persist if transitional pastoral issues have not been care-
fully and compassionately dealt with and worked through soon
after they have occurred: and

WHEREAS, One positive solution in our midst has been for a
congregation to call a specialized, trained LCMS pastor (specifi-
cally an intentional interim minister) to guide and support a con-
gregation through this transitional period; and

Wuereas., God has blessed us with the LCMS Interim Ministry
Conference by which concerned and experienced LCMS pastors.
leaders, and lay people set the standards and credentials and de-

velop the training for qualified workers to serve as intentional in-
terim ministers; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the LCMS Interim Ministry Con-
ference for setting and maintaining high standards pastorally, con-
fessionally, and professionally for this specialized ministry; and be
it further

Resolved, That we encourage the LCMS Interim Ministry Con-
ference to continue to work with the Council of Presidents in de-
veloping and maintaining this specialized ministry; and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage congregations to consider calling
an intentional interim minister during one of these challenging pe-
riods as a way, under God’s grace. to help bring healing and vision
to the congregation.

Bethany, Long Beach, CA: Zion, McHenry, IL; Emmanuel,
Kettering, OH

3-90

To Promote Intentional Interim Ministry

WHEREAS, All congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod go through a transition process whenever the service of
their pastor ends; and

WHEREAS, [n some instances, the vacancy period may follow a
long pastorate, a pastor's death, or a time of struggle, conflict, or
other strain, which have the possibility to inhibit the ministry of the
congregation as well as the wider church; and

WHEREAS, Such a time of transition provides a unique opportu-
nity for God’s people to reevaluate and reassess their subsequent
ministry and service: and

WHEREAS, The congregations in consultation with their District
President and Circuit Counselor may choose the services of a spe-
cially trained and experienced interim pastor in such a time of tran-
sition, to help them deal constructively with unresolved issues and
understand their potential for renewal: and

WHEREAS, Experience has shown that a congregation often re-
covers and advances best when serious pastoral transitional issues
in a congregation have been worked through during an interim pe-
riod of reflection. confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and re-
building: and

WHEREAS, This takes place best around Word and Sacrament
under the leadership of a well-trained and caring pastor; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod affirm the call of a congregation to
an intentional interim pastor in an interim ministry situation: and
be it further

Resolved, That we support and encourage the LCMS Interim
Ministry Conference in its efforts with the Council of Presidents
in developing, authorizing, and sustaining this specialized ministry;
and be it further

Resolved, That congregations consider calling an intentional in-
terim pastor at a time and under circumstances that may meet their
special needs: and be it finally

Resolved, That we commend all those in the church, led by the
Holy Spirit. who faithfully bring new hope for future ministry.

Bethany
Long Beach, CA

3-91

To Encourage Congregations to Consider Calling
Intentional Interim Ministers

WHEREAS, A congregation organizes to offer a continuing min-
istry of Word and Sacrament; and

WHEREAS, Such continuity, when interrupted by a vacancy. oc-
casions the surfacing of a variety of positive and/or negative re-
sponses within a congregation that may hinder its ministry: and

2001 Convention Workbook