LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 222

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222

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework
7. Framework Part C: Commitments to pastors and
pastoral ministry candidates
The Church makes a commitment to pastors that they will continue to be received and
welcomed in a respectful environment.
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Every pastor will be afforded a respectful environment, free from discrimination and
harassment.
All current pastoral calls will remain unchanged.
There will be common candidacy requirements and call procedures for male and
female pastors.
There will be prompt resourcing, under the oversight of CoB, to provide ongoing
pastoral care and support to all pastors with issues that may arise from the
introduction of female pastors to the LCA pastorate.
Any pastor on the Roll of Pastors is eligible to be elected or appointed into any
pastoral position of the Church, including leadership roles such as bishop.

7.1 Conscience views
Our commitment is that every pastor in the Church will be received and welcomed by
the whole Church in an environment of mutual respect and understanding, where
differing consciences are acknowledged while ensuring that harmful behavior is not
tolerated.

Detailed Framework
The Framework provides constitutional acknowledgement for a congregation to call a
pastor who best aligns with its ministry plans by permitting both situations outlined below
during the call process:
•
•

the inclusion of male and female candidates for consideration on congregational
call lists; and
congregations and parishes stipulate that only male pastors be included as
candidates for their call.

The Framework does not impose any requirements for pastors to affirm or disclose
(publicly or privately) their views on women's ordination.
The Framework allows for the freedom of movement of duly qualified women and men
pastors between calling bodies of the LCA.
7.3 Worship
There are matters that will need to be worked through in the 2024-2027 synodical period
to address when pastors gather for conference and worship at local, District or
Churchwide levels. These include: the recognition of ordination validity (pastors should
acknowledge that pastors and bishops may hold different views on the validity of
ordination, especially when it comes to female pastors); sacrament presiding and
validity (the organiser of gatherings should provide for clarity on sacrament
administration for conferences).

In support of this, the LCA offers the following commitments to pastors:
1.

2.
3.

Welcoming environment: Every pastor will be received and welcomed by the
entire Church, ensuring a respectful environment, such as being free from
discrimination and harassment as they serve in the work of their call.
Ongoing support: The College of Bishops will promptly provide resources and
support to pastors dealing with issues related to the introduction of female pastors.
Pastoral calls unchanged: Existing pastoral calls will remain unaffected.

When pastors hold differing views on women's ordination compared with their
congregation, fostering open dialogue and mutual respect is crucial. The following
guidelines might be helpful:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Encourage respectful conversations and active listening to assist in understanding
the perspectives of others.
Pastors can lead by example, demonstrating respect for differing views.
Focus on shared goals and mission.
Ensure that pastoral care extends to all members, including the pastor.
Consider asking the District bishop for support.

7.2 Call process
The Church commits to pastors that their existing pastoral calls will remain unchanged.

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Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework
8. Framework Part D: Commitments to congregations and
parishes
The Church makes commitments to congregations and parishes, including the following:
a) The constitutional acknowledgement of the right of a congregation to call a pastor
who best aligns with its ministry plans
b) The constitutional acknowledgement of the right of a congregation and parish to
stipulate that only male pastors be included as candidates for its call list
c) The resourcing of ongoing support to congregations to address issues that may arise
from introducing female pastors into the LCA pastorate
d) CoB to provide oversight, guidance and consistency of the pastoral support
provided through the District bishops
e) The mutual understanding that should the District bishop or the bishop of the Church
be female, the congregations may request a male pastor to be deputised for
oversight
f)

The Church’s statement ‘Responsible Communion Practice’ continues to guide the
Church’s communities in their provision of the sacrament of the altar.

8.1 Conscience views
Individuals, congregations and parishes within the Church may hold differing beliefs on
the issue of women’s ordination, including cases where pastors hold different views than
members of their congregations. We affirm the right to hold diverse perspectives while
making a commitment that every pastor in the Church will be received and welcomed
by the whole church in an environment of respect, understanding and unity. We commit
to treating one another with kindness, even when our convictions differ, and to uphold
the values of love, compassion and mutual support.
In support of this, the LCA offers the following commitments to congregations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Congregations have the constitutional right to call pastors aligned with their
ministry plans.
Congregations may stipulate that only male pastors are included as candidates for
their call lists.
Ongoing support will be provided to address issues relating to introducing female
pastors.
CoB will offer oversight and guidance through District bishops.
If the District bishop or Churchwide bishop is female, congregations may request
that a male bishop or another pastor be deputised for oversight.

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2026 Convention Workbook

Detailed Framework

Congregations and their members will not be required to:
•
•

adopt a specific conscience view or belief
explain or defend their position regarding women’s ordination.

8.2 Call process
The Way Forward Framework proposes that congregations have the right to call a pastor
who best aligns with their ministry plans. The congregation may choose whether to call a
male or female pastoral candidate.
If the congregation discerns through prayer, interviews and conversations that it is not
ready to include a female pastoral candidate, the congregation will be granted the
right to stipulate that only male pastors be included as candidates for its call list.
The congregation may also receive support from the District throughout this process.
8.3 Worship
The Church’s statement ‘Responsible Communion Practice’ 3 continues to guide the
Church’s communities in their provision of the Sacrament of the Altar.
8.4 Membership
The Framework does not require changes to the definition of membership in Article 5 of
the LCA model constitutions for parishes and congregations.
Individuals (baptised, confirmed, communing, guest and voting members) continue to
remain as members of their respective congregations in accordance with the
constitution of their congregation.
8.5 Constitution
The changes to the LCA model constitutions outlined in this section are recommended
for parishes and congregations wishing to call male or female pastors.
Further details about implementation can be found in Section 11:11 Framework
implementation.
This approach respects the autonomy of individual congregations while encouraging
alignment with the wider church where possible. It also maintains the proper distinction
between Church by-laws and congregation-specific constitutions.
The following changes to remove gender references from the Model Constitution for a
Congregation are proposed:

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