LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 241

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STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 241

and be it further
Resolved, That former Bylaw 3.925 a be amended as follows:

PRESENF/PROPOSED
3-925-Furetions

@- 3.8.5.2 The commission shall assist the President at his re-
quest in discharging his constitutional responsibilities; speetfeaHy
for fostering and preserving doctrinal unity within the Synod and
doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies.

(a) It shall assist the President in his responsibility to appoint

Appeals Panels to consider appeals of doctrinal review decisions
and recommendations concerning published and unpublished ma-

terials.
and be it finally
Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 3.8.5.2 therefore read:

3.8.5.2 The Commission shall assist the President at his request
in discharging his constitutional responsibilities for fostering and
preserving doctrinal unity within the Synod and doctrinal integrity
as he relates to other church bodies.

(a) It shall assist the President in his responsibility to appoint
Appeals Panels to consider appeals of doctrinal review decisions
and recommendations concerning published and unpublished ma-
terials.

Commission on Structure

7-12
To Phase Out Consecrated Lay Workers Category

Rationale

Chapter VII of the 1998 Handbook of the Synod provides for
the classification of certain nonrostered church workers as “Certi-
fied Church Workers” or “Consecrated Lay Workers.” While re-
taining the content of this chapter in its Proposed Handbook under
Bylaw 2.14, the Commission on Structure reorganized its content
and eliminated duplication.

The Commission on Structure recognizes additional concerns,
however, with this section of the Bylaws. Of concern is the poten-
tial liability it creates for the Synod by placing nonrostered workers
under the supervision of District Presidents. The provision for a
nonrostered category of church worker in the Handbook of the
Synod is in itself problematic.

To address these concerns, the Commission offers the following
proposed resolution to the 2001 convention of the Synod. Its intent
is (1) to recommend additional change to the wording of former
Chapter VII to address liability and other concerns during the com-
ing triennium, and (2) to provide for the termination of this cate-
gory of nonrostered church worker in an orderly and fair manner
during the coming three years.

Resolved, That the wording of Bylaw section 2.14 of the Pro-
posed Handbook be amended to address organizational and liability
concerns (see below); and be it further

Resolved, That those persons to whom this Bylaw pertains be
encouraged and enabled to take steps necessary to apply and qual-
ify for rostered status with the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Concordia University System cooperate by
providing to these lay workers every opportunity to pursue fulfill-
ment of requirements for rostered status; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations and agencies of the Synod cur-
rently employing these workers be encouraged to support in every
way their efforts to attain rostered status with the Synod; and be it
finally

Resolved, That Bylaw section 2.14 be retained in the Handbook
of the Synod until the time of the 2004 convention to allow time
for affected persons to take necessary steps to qualify for rostered
status.

PROPOSED WORDING
2.14 Consecrated Lay Workers

2.14.1 Men and women who have completed courses of
study prescribed or approved by the Board for Higher Educa-
tion and offered by one of the Synod’s colleges or universities
and who have been certified for service by their respective col-
lege or university are eligible for receiving appointments from
congregations or other eligible entities or agencies as conse-
crated lay workers.

(a) Congregations that are members of the Synod and other
eligible entities or agencies, in addition to calling ordained and
commissioned ministers of religion, may also wish to appoint
one or more certified church workers, lay (hereafter referred to
as consecrated lay workers), with the knowledge that the Synod
seeks to help congregations and other entities and agencies as
they utilize these consecrated lay workers.

(b) For purposes of these Bylaws, other eligible entities or
agencies shall be Districts, seminaries, colleges, and other agen-
cies of the Synod, church-affiliated social ministry organiza-
tions, recognized educational institutions, auxiliaries, and other
recognized service organizations.

(c) Congregations and other eligible entities or agencies
seeking to employ consecrated lay workers are encouraged to
contact the appropriate placement officers of the colleges or uni-
versities where the programs are housed.

Classification

(d) The classification of consecrated lay workers applies to
the following positions or titles currently in use in the Synod:

(1) lay minister;

(2) parish worker;

(3) lay teacher (teachers opting not to join the Synod);
(4) director of parish music; and

(5) Lutheran social worker.

Qualifications

(e) Consecrated lay workers are individuals who have been
declared qualified for service in the positions identified and who
have received appointments in accordance with the following
policy and procedure:

(1) Graduates of authorized synodical institutions must be
declared qualified for a first appointment and recommended by
the faculty of the respective synodical institution for their spe-
cific types of service before the effective date of the first ap-
pointment to service in the church. The faculties must be satis-
fied that these individuals will meet the personal, professional,
and theological requirements of those who hold those positions
to which they aspire. ,

(2) Candidates who may be declared qualified for first ap-
pointments are those who
* shall have satisfactorily completed a course of study prescribed

or approved by the Board for Higher Education and shall have
received an appropriate degree, diploma, or certificate from a
synodical] college or university; and

* shall have given evidence of a readiness and desire to serve a
congregation or other eligible entity or agency.

Restrictions

(f) If synodical congregations, entities, and agencies desire
to be served by consecrated lay workers, they shall appoint and
be served only by consecrated lay workers who have been ad-
mitted to these respective ministries in accordance with the rules
and regulations set forth in these Bylaws.

(1) Congregations and other entities and agencies of the
Synod shall inform and may seek the advice of the respective
District President when appointing consecrated lay workers.

(2) Consecrated lay workers accepting new appointments
shall inform the respective District Presidents, who shall be re-
sponsible for updating the consecrated lay worker listing of the
‘Synod.

(3) District Presidents shall be responsible for maintaining
records of consecrated church workers in their Districts, to be
made available to congregations, entities, agencies, or other Dis-
tricts of the Synod.

2001 Convention Workbook