LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 224

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

224

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework
10. Other considerations

Detailed Framework
The following changes to the constitution and by-laws part A of Districts, in the by-laws of
the Church are proposed to implement a requirement for pastors to serve a minimum
period before eligibility for nomination for bishop or assistant bishop(s):

10.1. Oversight of bishops
In the Lutheran Church of Australia, pastors vow to uphold the public teaching of the
LCA and promise to accept pastoral and doctrinal oversight of their bishop at their
ordination. Pastors reaffirm their vows upon installation into subsequent ministries. This
practice ensures that pastors remain committed to upholding the public teaching of the
LCA.

Paragraph
Article 8.1

From
The Officials of the District shall be a
Bishop, one or more Assistant
Bishops, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer. They shall be elected for
a term of office determined by the
District. The Bishop and Assistant
Bishops shall be pastors of the
Church in the District.

7.4.2

All pastors whose names are
recorded on the Roll of Pastors of
the Church are eligible for the
position of Bishop; only pastors of
the District are eligible for the
position of Assistant Bishop(s) in the
District.

Under this Framework, the Church introduces a tenure-based provision for nomination for
the role of bishop and assistant bishop(s). Refer to Part E for further information.

10.2. Conventions of Synod and Pastors Conferences
The Framework does not require changes to the governance arrangements of the LCA,
including its District and General Synods. The processes regarding the election or
appointment of delegates, both lay and pastor, continue unchanged. The entitlement
to submit proposals is unchanged.
The Framework does not propose any changes to the duties and role of Pastors
Conferences.

10.3. District considerations
10.3.1 Constitution
The following change to the constitution of Districts, in the By-laws of the Church, is
proposed to address gender pronouns:
Paragraph
1.2.12

From
‘pastor’ or ‘member of the Ministry’
means any person ordained to the
Holy Ministry according to the rites
and practice of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church who has been
received into the Ministry of the
Church according to Article 5.1;

To
Replace ‘person’ with ‘man or
woman’:
‘pastor’ or ‘member of the Ministry’
means any man or woman
ordained to the Holy Ministry
according to the rites and
practice of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church who has been
received into the Ministry of the
Church according to Article 5.1;

To
The Officials of the District shall be a
Bishop, one or more Assistant
Bishops, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer. They shall be elected for
a term of office determined by the
District. The Bishop and Assistant
Bishops shall be pastors of the
Church in the District who have
served on the LCA Roll of Pastors for
at least six [6] years.
All pastors whose names are
recorded on the Roll of Pastors of
the Church, excluding pastors
emeriti, are eligible for the position
of Bishop; only pastors of the district
are eligible for the position of
Assistant Bishop(s) in the District,
subject to:
7.4.2.1 Having served on the LCA
Roll of Pastors for a
minimum of six [6] years
prior to nomination.
7.4.2.2 Having served in various
settings within the Church,
demonstrating breadth of
experience and
adaptability.
7.4.2.3 The nominations
committee verifying that
all nominees meet these
eligibility requirements
before presenting their
names for consideration.

10.3.2 Call process
The Framework does not change how the District bishop or delegate guides a
congregation or parish in the call process.
10.3.3 Relationships
The Framework does not require changes to relationships between Districts and other entities.

Page 22 of 50

Page 23 of 50

Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework
10.3.4 Governance and structures
The Framework does not require changes to governance and organisational structures
of Districts.

Detailed Framework
Section
VI:1

10.3.5 Finance and risk management
The Framework does not require changes to the operating finances or asset/liability
ownership of a District.
10.3.6 Agencies (eg schools and aged-care services)
Under the Framework, an agency that is a calling body may call the pastor who best
aligns with its ministry plans.
10.3.7 Auxiliaries
The Framework does not require changes to the operation of District auxiliaries.

VI:2

10.4. Churchwide considerations
10.4.1 Theses of Agreement
As outlined earlier, the Church changes Theses of Agreement TAVI:11 to allow for the
ordination of women and men. Theses of Agreement TAVI: 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 are updated
as part of this change and to make these statements more inclusive.
Section
VI:11

From
Though women prophets were used
by the Spirit of God in the Old as well
as in the New Testament, 1 Cor
14:34,35 and I Tim 2:11–14 prohibit a
woman from being called into the
office of the public ministry for the
proclamation of the Word and the
administration of the Sacraments. This
apostolic rule is binding on all
Christendom; hereby her rights as a
member of the spiritual priesthood
are in no wise impaired.

Page 24 of 50

2026 Convention Workbook

To
A baptised person who is duly
called (Luke 10:16; AC Apology 7
and 8,28; TA VI:7,8) thereby enters
the office of the public ministry for
the proclamation of the Word and
administration of the Sacraments.
Scripture that underpins the Church’s
teaching on the office of the ministry
and the rite of ordination (John
20:21-23; Matt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 11:2326) applies to duly qualified called
baptised persons although some
understand that 1 Corinthians
14:34,35 and 1 Tim 2:11-14 prohibit
baptised women from being called
into the office of the public ministry.

VI:3

From
The New Testament ministry is the
office instituted by Christ for the
public administration of the means of
grace, that is, the preaching of the
Gospel and the administering of the
Sacraments, through which as
through instruments the Holy Ghost
works saving faith in the hearts of
men. Matt 10; Matt 28:18–20; Luke
9:1,2; 1 Cor 3:5–8; Augsburg
Confession V; Form.Conc., Sol.Decl.
XI,29.
The office of the ministry is therefore
an office instituted not by man, but
by God. 2 Cor 5:18–20; Eph 4:11; Acts
20:28; Apology XIII,11.
Since it is Christ’s will that His Gospel
be preached and the Sacraments
administered, and since the use of
the means of grace is essential to the
existence of the Church on earth,
and since according to the Lord’s
promise the Church on earth is to
remain until the end of time,
Matt.16:18, the office of the ministry is
an office, which is simultaneous with
the Church and to which the Church
is bound from its beginning to the end
of time.
Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:15,16; Rom
10:8–17; 1 Cor 1:21; Rom 16:25,26;
Augsburg Confessions XXVIII, 8-10,
20,21.

Page 25 of 50

To
Replace ‘men’ with ‘people’:
The New Testament ministry is the
office instituted by Christ for the
public administration of the means
of grace, that is, the preaching of
the Gospel and the administering of
the Sacraments, through which as
through instruments the Holy Ghost
works saving faith in the hearts of
people. Matt 10; Matt 28:18–20; Luke
9:1,2; 1 Cor 3:5–8; Augsburg
Confession V; Form.Conc., Sol.Decl.
XI,29.
Replace ‘man” with ‘humans’:
The office of the ministry is therefore
an office instituted not by humans,
but by God. 2 Cor 5:18–20; Eph 4:11;
Acts 20:28; Apology XIII,11.
No change