LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 193

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 193

3-93

To Conduct Scriptural Study on Use of Gifts of Women

WHEREAS, Women as well as men are called and equipped by
God for service in the church and in the world; and

WHEREAS, It is clear that women, as well as men, are numbered
among those whom St. Peter cites as “a royal priesthood, God’s
own people . . . called to proclaim the marvelous deeds of Him who
called us out of darkness into light” (1 Peter 2:8—10); and

Wuereas, Dr. Martin Luther did not restrict the participation of *

women in Christian ministry in his theses on Christian vocations;
and

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture clearly teaches that for the people of
God “there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in
Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28), and in many other passages supports the
full participation of women and men together in the new creation of
life and service that is in Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, There are references from Holy Scripture which have
been used selectively to restrict the full participation of women in
the life of the church, such as: voting in congregational assemblies,
holding certain leadership positions and congregational offices,
teaching men, serving as sacramental assistants and public readers,
and the pastoral office; and

WHEREAS, There are men and women within The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, who on the basis of Holy Scripture, sup-
port the full participation of women and the full use of their gifts in
the life of the Church, and those within the Synod who on the basis
of Scripture support less than the full participation of women and
less than the full participation of their gifts in the life of the church;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we, the men and women of The Lutheran
Church of Christ the King of Bellevue, Wash., petition a study of
Holy Scripture throughout the LCMS on the issue of the full par-
ticipation of women and the full use of their gifts in the ministry
and mission of the church; and be it further

Resolved, That this study include input from men and women
who currently support either side of the understandings of Holy
Scripture mentioned above; and be it further

Resolved, That this study include the most recent report of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), both the
majority and minority reports, on Women in the Church; and be it
further

Resolved, That this study include Theses on Women in the
Church by Rev. Arnold Voigt, 1985, (rev. October 1999); and be it
further

Resolved, That in bringing this issue to careful scrutiny and full
fruition, this study be carried out in a spirit of Christian love, main-
taining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and respecting
one another as the people of God who desire only to be faithful to
our Lord and His Holy Word (Eph. 4:1-3); and be it finally

Resolved, That this study be carried out in the following manner:

1. During fiscal] year 2004-2005, the Council of Presidents
(COP) shall study the issue themselves and make provision for the
publication of both (a) a detailed study for clergy and those laypeo-
ple trained in theology, and (b) a congregational-level study for
those without such a background—both of which shall have the
provision for each Circuit or congregation to respond and report to
their home District.

2. During fiscal year 2005-2006, the study shall be conducted
in at least one of the monthly gatherings of pastors in each Circuit
of the Synod, in a special series offered to each congregation of the
Synod, or in any combined forum of congregational members
which may be deemed appropriate (Circuit convocations, retreats,
LWML workshops or meetings, etc.)—-with a clerk/secretary at
each gathering reporting to his or her respective District President’s
office significant aspects of the study dialog, points of consensus,
and conclusions (if any) reached by those participating.

3. During fiscal year 2006-2007, all responses to the various
Districts shall be reported to their respective clergy and congrega-

tions no later than the date of the conventions of each District; time
shall be allotted at the same for further study/discussion of the topic
of the full use of women’s gifts in the mission and ministry of the
church; and any consensus that emerges may be implemented by
way of direct District, pastoral conference, or congregational over-
ture to the 2007 LCMS triennial convention.

A report of these studies from all levels (and any common un-
derstandings arrived at through them) shall also be printed in the
Convention Workbook for the 2007 LCMS convention; and should
the Holy Spirit Himself so honor our diligence, prayer, and scrip-
tural study of this issue that He brings about a common vision of
how we may more fully utilize the gifts of women in the mission
and ministry of the LCMS, that preparations for the implementa-
tion of such mission and ministry begin immediately on the basis of
scriptural objectives prepared by the CTCR, and administration
supplied by each District and its staff.

Christ the King
Bellevue, WA

3-94

To Conduct Scriptural Study of Women
Serving in the Church

WHEREAS, Women, as well as men, are called and equipped by
God for service in the church and world; and

Wuereas, Holy Scripture clearly teaches that for the people of
God, “There is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in
Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28), and many other passages support full par-
ticipation of women and men together in the new creation that is
in Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, There are scriptural references that have been under-
stood in the past to restrict women’s participation in the life of the
church, such as voting, holding office, positions of authority, and
especially the pastoral office; and,

WHEREAS, There are men and women within The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod who on the basis of Scripture support the
full participation of women, including the pastoral office, in the life
of the church, and those within the LCMS who on the basis of
Scripture support the restriction of the full participation of women
in the life of the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That there be a study of Holy Scripture throughout
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on the issue of the full par-
ticipation of women in the life of the church; and be it further

Resolved, That this study include input from men and women
who support each of the understandings of Holy Scripture men-
tioned above; and be it further

Resolved, That this study include the most recent report of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, both the major-
ity and minority reports, on women in the church; and be it further

Resolved, That this study include the Theses on Women in the
Church by Arnold Voigt, 1985, rev. October 1999; and be it finally

Resolved, That this study be carried out in a spirit of Christian
love, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and re-
spect for one another as the people of God who want to be faithful
to the Lord and His Holy Word.

St. John
Portland, OR

3-95

To Encourage Delivery of the Word by Women

WHEREAS, Old and New Testament Scriptures are replete with
examples of God delivering His message in a public way through
women (Deborah, Huldah, Priscilla, Junia, etc.); and _ ;

WHEREAS, God chose to introduce the Word made flesh to the
world through the birth of Jesus by the Virgin Mary, and

WHEREAS, Women are noted by John as the first witnesses and
bearers of the message of Christ’s resurrection; therefore be it