LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 185

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LATE OVERTURES
WHEREAS, 2004 Res. 3-08A does not simply expand privileges granted to women but also restricts how they may
function in the above regard (in other words, the resolution
is to function “both ways” as necessary, being more restrictive when necessary and not just allowing for increased
privilege); therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod in convention reaffirm that the Office of the Holy Ministry, that is, the office of pastor, is to be
exercised only by men; and be it further
Resolved, That Synod in convention also reaffirm 2004
Res. 3-08A’s statement that “women on the basis of the
clear teaching of Scripture may not serve in the office of
pastor nor exercise any of its distinctive functions” (emphasis added); and be it further
Resolved, That Synod in convention recognize that the
“distinctive functions” of the pastoral office include far more
than the minimalistic view of the pastor being simply present, vested, pronouncing the Absolution, preaching the sermon, and consecrating the elements for Holy Communion,
but also leading the liturgy, offering the prayers, the distribution of Communion, and other duties involved with the
role of the vested leader or leaders of worship (as per the
fourth WHEREAS); and be it further
Resolved, That Synod in convention also recognize that,
in respect to vestments, an obvious difference exists between vestments meant for the liturgical leaders of worship
and vestments for members of the choir, junior confirmands, etc., and acknowledge that women should not be
seen in the former (even without a pastor’s stole specifically) but that, insofar as a woman is participating in the
choir, as musician, etc., that to appear in the latter is fine
and good, even edifying and beneficial; and be it finally
Resolved, That, in every case where women currently
serve in such a way as to carry out functions of the pastoral
office as described in this overture/resolution, this practice be
brought to an immediate end, to be enforced by the authorities of the LCMS district(s) in which these practices occur.
Trinity, Clinton, MA
L6-07

To Develop Abuse Education
Materials and Programs
WHEREAS, Domestic violence in this country has reached
epidemic proportions, with 31 percent of women experiencing physical assault from a partner1, and 40 percent of
teenage girls age 14–17 reporting knowing someone their
age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend2 ; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Synod President Dr. Alvin Barry recognized the gravity of this issue and convened the President’s Commission on Women to look into the problem of
sexual misconduct in the church; and
WHEREAS, Although, in 2001, this commission produced
and distributed to pastors two booklets entitled Never Will I
Leave You: A Pastor’s Handbook on Domestic Violence and
Has God Abandoned Me?: A Christian Woman’s Guide to
Domestic Violence, these booklets are no longer in print; and
WHEREAS, Child abuse in this country has also reached
epidemic proportions, with 2.5 million cases of child abuse
reported each year3 and the actual incidence estimated at

185

three times that amount4, with one in three girls and one in
seven boys sexually abused prior to the age of 185; and
Whereas, Due to advances in technology via the Internet,
pornography is more readily available than ever before and
pedophilia attempts are escalating at an alarming rate; and
WHEREAS, Clergy sexual misconduct constitutes a portion of the abuse problem, and each congregation has a responsibility to monitor these situations and to protect
parishioners from this type of misconduct; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is primarily perpetrated
against females (95 percent of assaults are committed by
men6), child abuse affects both males and females equally,
so that in all cases, churches needs to equip themselves to
deal with both female and male victims and perpetrators;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod appoint a committee, at the
Synod President’s discretion, to examine these issues and
provide materials and trained individuals to assist districts, congregations, and schools in addressing abuse and
ministering to the spiritual needs of those struggling with
the effects of abuse; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod make these same materials and
training available to seminary students; and be it further
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations (CTCR) examine these issues and comment
specifically on the topics of forgiveness, repentance, and
reconciliation in the context of abuse situations.
Notes
1. The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns across a
Woman’s Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women’s Health,
May 1999.
2. Children Now/Kaiser Permanente poll, December
1995.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, “Child
Maltreatment 2001” (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2003). Online summary of findings:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/publicat
tions/cm01/outcover.htm.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. “Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect:
Final Report (NIS-3)” (Washington, DC.: Government
Printing Office, September 1996).
5. From the Faith Trust Institute Web site: http://www.
faithtrustinstitute.org/indcx.php?p=Q_%26_A&s=49.
6. Bureau of Justice Statistics Selected Findings: Violence between Intimates (NCJ-149259), November
1994, and “A Report of the Violence against Women
Research Strategic Planning Workshop” sponsored by
the National Institute of Justice in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
1995.
Holy Cross, Mahwah, NJ
Bethlehem, Ridgewood, NJ
Redeemer, Westfield, NJ
2007 Convention Proceedings