LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 175

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 175

WHEREAS, By relying very heavily on the simple claim that it
is not those who support the pro-life position but those that oppose
the pro-life position who bear the “burden of proof,” the report
might reasonably be interpreted by many to imply that the pro-life
position is not able to meet the burden of proof (i.e., that God’s
Word itself is not able to meet the burden of proof in demonstrating
the full moral status of all people beginning at conception); and

Wuereas, The report has the strong potential to create confu-
sion by, at times, implying a lack of certainty regarding the cor-
rectness of the pro-life position, as seen, for example, when the re-
port states, “With O’ Donovan we recognize that [VF and cloning
technologies have...puzzled us by ‘presenting to us members of our
own species who are doubtfully proper objects of compassion and
love’”(CTCR, Christian Faith and Human Beginnings, p. 35; em-
phasis added); and

WHEREAS, The report has the strong potential to further create
confusion by providing in-depth summaries of the arguments of
several parties who oppose the pro-life position but then failing to
provide specific rebuttals or responses to those arguments; and

WHEREAS, There is still a need for “a study document to help
the church, on the basis of the Word of God,” address issues re-
garding the beginning of human life, as requested by the 1998
LCMS convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District convention acknowledge
the time and effort put into preparing the CTCR report entitled
Christian Faith and Human Beginnings; and be it further

Resolved, That the Montana District convention memorialize
the 2007 convention of Synod to request that, due to the inadequa-
cies of the report, the CTCR withdraw the report; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Montana District convention memorialize
the 2007 convention of Synod to request that the CTCR prepare a
new report and a study that may be used by congregations on this
topic that focuses on a clear and careful presentation of the guid-
ance God’s Word gives in addressing questions regarding the moral
status of human life beginning at conception.

Montana District

3-60

To Affirm 2004 Res. 3-08A
re Service of Women in Church

WHEREAS, 2004 Synod convention Res. 3-08A allows for the
service of women as congregational presidents, vice-presidents,
and elders; and

WHEREAS, The great majority of Atlantic District congregations
contain constitutional provision for these offices and other posi-
tions of leadership, excluding the pastoral office, to be held by men
and women; and

WHEREAS, The service of all the members of the body of Christ
is encouraged by sacred Scripture (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 2; Rom. 12; Gal.
3:27); and

WHEREAS, The service of all the baptized not only builds up the
body but allows for the extension and expansion of mission to the
world and especially to the lost; and

WHEREAS, The stated resolution of the Missouri Synod and the
Atlantic District is that “every congregation is a mission station,”
thus urging the efforts of all the baptized to be directed to mission
outreach; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Atlantic District affirm the appropriate ser-
vice of women in the church in all its congregations and mission
stations; and be it further

Resolved, That the provisions of Res. 3-08A be affirmed as ap-
plicable to all Atlantic District congregations and mission stations
by action of this convention through letter from the president of the
Atlantic District, cosigned by its Constitution Committee; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregations be hereby encouraged to exam-
ine, in grace and charity, the issue of the appropriate service of

women in the church as contained in Res. 3-08A and most espe-
cially in sacred Scripture, for the purpose of further examination
of congregational constitutions; and be it further

Resolved, That such examination and potential amendment be
dealt with by the Atlantic District Constitution Committee as man-
dated by the Synod and district constitution; and be it finally

Resolved, That this commendation of Res. 3-08A be sent as an
overture to the Synod in convention for its gathering in 2007.

Atlantic District

3-61

To Affirm and Implement 2004 Res. 3-08A

WHEREAS, The Lord has abundantly gifted the women of the
LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The priesthood of all believers calls all baptized chil-
dren of God to ministry; and

WHEREAS, God gives countless opportunities for ministry in life
both outside and inside the organized church; and

WHEREAS, The 2004 LCMS convention opened the opportunity
for expanded service of women in human offices within the Synod
and congregations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2007 convention of the LCMS affirm 2004
Resolution 3-08A; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS celebrate the
service of women in the church by encouraging and intentionally
implementing 2004 Res. 3-08A.

Board of Directors
Northwest District

3-62

To Affirm 2004 Res. 3-08A and Request CTCR Review

WHEREAS, The Synod at its 1969 convention declared, “Those
statements of Scripture which direct women to keep silent in the
church and which prohibit them to teach and to exercise authority
over men, we understand to mean that women ought not to hold
the pastoral office or serve in any other capacity involving the dis-
tinctive functions of this office” (1969 Res. 2-17); and

WHEREAS, The 2004 convention of the LCMS in Res. 3-08A ac-
cepted “To Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR Report: The
Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices’ as the
official stance of the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR has stated in a recent (April 2004) opin-
ion requested by the Minnesota South District that “the Scriptures
clearly teach that God has given the pastoral office and the exer-
cise of pastoral authority to men and not to women” and that
“Scripture does not prohibit women who possess the requisite gifts
from holding these humanly established offices, assuming that the
occupants of these offices do not ‘perform those functions that are
distinctive to the public exercise of the ministry of Word and sacra-
ments,’ or carry out ‘official functions [that] would involve public

299,

accountability for the function of the pastoral office’; and

WuereEas, The Commission in this same opinion counseled that
congregations, in filling these offices, keep in mind the family
structure and encourage “men not to neglect their leadership re-
sponsibilities in their congregations. Since the church encourages
husbands to exercise their God-given headship in a God-pleasing
way at home”; therefore be it ,

Resolved, That the 2006 convention of the Northern Illinois
District of the LCMS gives thanks to God for the appropriate ser-
vice of women in the LCMS on a congregational, district, and
Synod level, and commends the work of the CTCR in this area over
the past 35 years and the decision of the Synod in the 2004 con-
vention to affirm it; and be it further

Resolved, “We affirm that women on the basis of the clear
teaching of Scripture may not serve in the office of pastor nor ex-
ercise any of its distinctive functions, and that women may serve in