LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 181

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 181

that women...may serve in humanly established offices in the church
as long as the functions of these offices do not make them eligible to
carry out ‘official functions [that] would involve public accountability

399,

for the function of the pastoral office’”’; and

WHEREAS, Soon after the 2004 LCMS convention, the Synod
President appointed a task force in order to provide congregational
guidelines for implementing Res. 3-08A. The recommendations in-
clude the encouragement that women not hold the office of elder or
assist in the distribution of Holy Communion. Nevertheless this en-
couragement does not cite concerns with violations of the order of
creation, but only because these offices assist with the public exer-
cise of the pastoral office. Futhermore, this task force has no offi-
cial authority to interpret convention action, and thus 2004 Res. 3-
O8A stands, which approved women to “serve in every humanly
established office”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2006 Southern Illinois District convention
memorialize the 2007 LCMS convention to rescind 2004 Res. 3-08A
(“To Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR Report: The Service
of Women in Congregational Offices”); and be it further

Resolved, That the 2006 Southern Illinois District convention
memorialize the 2007 LCMS convention to reject the 1994 CTCR
Report The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Of-
fices; and be it further

. Resolved, That the 2006 Southern Illinois District convention

memorialize the 2007 LCMS convention to continue to apply the

scriptural teaching on the order of creation (1 Tim. 2:11—12; 1 Cor.
14:34-35) to both the pastoral office and all humanly established
offices within the church; and be it finally

Resolved, That the 2006 Southern Illinois District convention
memorialize the 2007 LCMS convention to direct the CTCR to
complete the request of the 1995 convention to prepare a compre-
hensive study of the scriptural relationship of man and woman
(1995 Res. 3-10).

Southern Illinois District; St. Paul, Edna, TX; Trinity,
Herrin, IL; Greater Egypt Circuit Forum 11, Faith In
Christ, Portales, NM

3-77

To Direct CTCR to Restudy Service of Women
in Consultation with Seminary Faculties

WHEREAS, There is continuing discussion, reflective of the con-
fusion and disunity evident in the congregations of our Synod
regarding 2004 Res. 3-08A (To affirm the conclusion of the 1994
CTCR report The Service of Women in Congregational and Syn-
odical Offices); therefore be it

Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District memorialize the
2007 LCMS convention to again direct the CTCR to engage in con-
sultation with the faculties of both seminaries “to study the issues
contained in The Service of Women in Congregational and Synod-
ical Offices and the ‘Dissenting Opinion’” and to produce ‘a com-
prehensive study of the scriptural relationship between men and
women”; and be it further

Resolved, That such study report include the implications and
applications of the meaning of authentein (“to exercise authority
over’) with respect to the relationship of men and women in a
Christian congregation, specifically in regard to which congrega-
tional offices (other than the office of public ministry) may be held
by women; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod be as faithful as possible in provid-
ing opportunities for meaningful dialogue (e.g., model conferences)
toward developing consensus in doctrine and practice; and be it fi-
nally

Resolved; That the LCMS revisit and restudy 2004 Res. 3-08A
as soon as the requested CTCR study report has been received and
studied throughout the Synod.

South Wisconsin District

3-78

To Reconsider and Clarify Scripture Passages
re Role of Women ;
WHEREAS, God created woman to be a unique blessing to man,
and collectively women are a special gift of God to the Church;
and
Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been
blessed by the ministry of many female commissioned and lay ser-
vants; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been
blessed also through the vital services of women through the

: Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and other

women’s ministries; and

WHEREAS, The 2004 LCMS convention passed Res. 3-08A, “To
Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR Report: The Service of
Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices”, and

WHEREAS, Confusion continues regarding the proper roles of
service of women in the church; therefore be it

Resolved, We give thanks to God for the service of women in
the church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Texas District convention memorialize the
2007 LCMS convention to reconsider and clarify the applicability
of various Scripture passages including, but not limited to, those
relating to the order of creation (headship) and the Office of the
Public Ministry.

Texas District

3-79

To Continue Study of Scripture
Related to Service of Women

WHEREAS, Christ, the Head of the Church, has given a variety of
gifts to the Church, and every member of the Church has received
gifts to be used for the benefit of the Body of Christ; and

WHEREAS, God created woman to be a unique blessing, and col-
lectively women are a special gift of God to the Church; and

WHEREAS, The Southern District of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod has been blessed by the ministry of many female
commissioned and lay servants; and

WuEREAS, The 2004 Synod convention passed Res. 3-08A, “To
Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR report The Service of
Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices”; and

WHEREAS, There are continued concerns regarding the proper
roles of the service of women in the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern District memorialize the 2007
LCMS convention to continue to study and clarify the applicability
of various Scripture passages including, but not limited to, those
relating to the “order of creation” (headship) and the “Office of the
Public Ministry.”

Southern District

3-80

To Repeal 2004 Res. 3-08A
and Affirm Order of Creation
WHEREAS, 2004 Res. 3-08A fails to maintain the order of cre-
ation established by our Father at the beginning; and
WueErEAS, 2004 Res. 3-08A introduces error into the church by
permitting the service of women in the church where the Lord has
forbidden it, such as in the congregational offices of president or
elder; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Herington Zone (Circuit 9 of the Kansas Dis-
trict) petition that the 2007 LCMS convention repeal 2004 Res. 3-
08A and affirm practices consistent with the biblical order of creation.
Circuit 9 Forum, Kansas District