LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 183

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Theology and Church Relations
Whereas, The office of deacon has expanded in our congregations; and
Whereas, This expansion has proceeded without a common
understanding and guidance from the Synod regarding the role and
function of this office; and
Whereas, There is a need for a deeper understanding of the role
and scope of this office, for the sake of good order and of a blessed
unity in the Church to maintain the walk in love in the bond of peace
(1 Cor. 14:40; Ps. 133:1; Eph. 4:2–3); therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the Pacific Southwest District in convention,
memorialize the 2013 LCMS convention to request that the Council
of Presidents give seminary faculties further guidance regarding the
use of deacons in the congregational setting.
Pacific Southwest District
4-43

To Commission Complete Study of Biblical,
Confessional, and Historic Role of Deacons
Whereas, The LCMS has, since 1989, allowed and encouraged
deacons to serve in Word and Sacrament Ministry; and
Whereas, There is much confusion over the nomenclature (commissioned/ordained), responsibilities, episcopal oversight, education,
and preparation of these servants, resulting in confusion and lack of
confidence in this vital ministry; and
Whereas, There has been no adequate study of the diaconal office
within the office of the ministry, and there are numerous citations
regarding the existence and use of these servants, including within
the rich heritage of the LCMS, as, for examples:
Finally, since one minister does not suffice for a large congregation
or an entire city, it is the duty of the church administrators to ordain and
appoint others as deacons, pastors, or fellow ministers. Among these
there should be a certain order or rank in order that, for the furtherance
of the salvation of the believers and the strengthening of the kingdom of
Christ, all things shall be done decently and in order …. (Walther, C. F.
W., Church and Ministry: “Witness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
on the Question of the Church and the Ministry” [1999 electronic ed.,
60] St. Louis: CPH);
If one therefore wants to understand ordination as a sacrament, one
would also have to call the laying on of hands a sacrament. For the
church has God’s command to appoint ministers and deacons. Since
then it is so very comforting to know that God desires to preach and
work through men and those chosen by men, it is proper highly to praise
and honor this election [Wahl], especially against the devilish Anabaptists, who despise and blaspheme this election together with the ministry
and the outward Word [the written Word of Scripture] (Art. XIII [VII],
par. 11–13; German text, Triglot, p. 310; Walther, 191–192).
The Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451 resolved: “No one
should be absolutely ordained as a presbyter or a deacon or in general as
an incumbent of any ecclesiastical office if the person to be ordained has
not specially been designated for a congregation in a city or village or
for the chapel of a martyr or for a monastery,” (Walther, 267).
But for the sake of order, they elect certain persons to whom they
entrust the administration of the keys of the kingdom of heaven. So there
are among us deacons, pastors, doctors, bishops, or superintendents so
that all things, according to Paul’s direction, are done decently and in
order (1 Cor. 14:40) (Walther, 283);

and
Whereas, Many remote and/or impoverished areas and ethnic
churches would be left paralyzed without Word and Sacrament ministry by such deacons under supervision; and

183

Whereas, The Holy Christian Church has long had a venerable
office of deacon; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention, prior to any decision
about district diaconal programs, commission a study of the office of
deacon, that study to include equal members of the theological faculties of our universities and/or seminaries, present overseers of district
level trainers and overseers of deacons serving in Word and Sacrament
roles, as well as representatives from the Council of Presidents (COP)
and Praesidium; and be it further
Resolved, That the study be presented to the CTCR, the COP, and
then to the 2016 LCMS convention so the people of the LCMS may
make an informed decision as to the future of diaconal programs in
our Synod, and that recommendations be made for consistency in
preparation, oversight, and scope of ministry across the Synod.
Circuits 8 and 9
Pacific Southwest District
4-44

To Include Office of Deacon in List
of Commissioned Ministers
Whereas, The office of deacon is one of the theological offices of
the church mentioned in the New Testament (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3); and
Whereas, Deacons have fulfilled a necessary and useful function in the ministry of the church since the time of the apostles, when
Stephen and six others were appointed to the office of deacon by the
church in Jerusalem (Acts 6); and
Whereas, The LCMS approved the office of deacon at the 1989
convention in Wichita, Kansas; and
Whereas, The theological training received by deacons is of a
standard commensurate with other commissioned ministers in the
LCMS; and
Whereas, Deacons serve under the supervision and direction of
an ordained pastor, as do other commissioned ministers; and
Whereas, Deacons have provided valuable service to the church
at large and to many congregations throughout the LCMS since 1989
in the performance of the public ministry of the church and of their
individual congregations; and
Whereas, Deacons are currently not included in the roster of
commissioned ministers of the LCMS; and
Whereas, The office of deacon is licensed with each individual
district of the LCMS rather than under the auspices of the seminaries and universities of the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the men who
are currently serving as deacons throughout the LCMS and encourage them to continue to perform this necessary function of the public
ministry of the church under the auspices of an ordained pastor; and
be it further
Resolved, That before the next convention, the Council of
Presidents determine appropriate requirements so that the office of
deacon may be included in the roster of commissioned ministers,
including such considerations as certification, standardized educational requirements, and ability to receive a call; and be it finally
Resolved, That the requirements determined by the Council of
Presidents be shared at the 2016 convention, at which time all men
who have met these requirements are to be added to the roster of the
Synod as commissioned ministers—deacons.
Good Shepherd, Lowell, MI; Heart of the Shepherd, Howell, MI;
Living Word, Rochester, MI; St. Thomas, Eastpointe, MI

2013 Convention Workbook