Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 354
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 354

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

354

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

5. The Synod, based on its understanding of what the Scriptures
and the Lutheran Confessions teach, has adopted resolutions
which permit women to vote in congregational assemblies
(without any limitations on the matters on which they may vote)
and to read the Scriptures in public worship services, thereby
indicating that these activities are not distinctive functions of the
pastoral office nor do they constitute “official functions [that]
would involve public accountability for the function of the
pastoral office” (cf. 1969 Res. 2-17; 1989 Res. 3-14) [emphasis
added];
and
WHEREAS, The practice of having female readers of the Holy
Scriptures in the public worship service was based on the faulty and
limited view (a reductionist view) of preaching as an intrinsic
function of the Office of the Ministry, without proper consideration
that the Holy Spirit defines the public reading of the Holy Scriptures
as preaching/heralding (Act 15:21) and the responsibilities of an
overseer to be “[public] reading, exhortation, teaching” (1 Tim.
4:13, author translation) and that St. Paul in his holy office calls
himself a herald, apostle, and a teacher (κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος·
ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν χριστῷ, οὐ ψεύδομαι· διδάσκαλος) (1 Tim. 2:7),
and because a careful reading of Scripture does not put the public
reading of Scripture outside the office of preaching, but even
equates that reading with preaching; therefore be it
Resolved, That we exercise great care when it comes to the clear
words of the Holy Spirit: that to read Scripture is to herald or
preach it, and give thanks to God that it is so, because—in the days
of the apostles—Jewish rabbis did not regularly preach Jesus the
way Moses does, and yet through the public reading of Moses the
truth was preached and hearts were prepared for the apostles’
teaching that Jesus is the Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod hereby acknowledge Jesus Christ’s
prohibition against females reading the Scriptures in the public
services of His Church, rescind its erroneous 1989 Res. 3-14, as
well as correct its statements, rubrics, and practices, and Synod
pastors everywhere repent of the error of inviting females to
publicly read (which is to preach/herald) the Scriptures in the
services of Christ’s Church, even as we comfort those females that
they have not sinned, who have followed their pastor’s and the
Synod’s lead down this perilous path.
Trinity
Tryon, NC
Ov. 5-29

To Correct Erroneous Practice of Women Lectors
WHEREAS, God created man first and then the woman (Genesis
2; 1 Tim. 2:13); and
WHEREAS, On the basis of this order of creation God commands
women not to teach or to exercise authority over men in the
churches, but to remain silent and learn in quietness and all
submission, which St. Paul explains as follows:
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not
permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to
be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam
was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into
transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if
they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. (1
Tim. 2:11–15 NKJV);
2026 Convention Workbook

and as follows:
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not
permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also
says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own
husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in
church. (1 Cor. 14:34–35 NKJV);
and
WHEREAS, “Learn in quietness and all submission” and “they are
not permitted to speak” explicitly exclude women from speaking
the Scripture lessons to the whole congregation in the Divine
Service; and
WHEREAS, Many congregations in the Synod have accepted the
practice of women speaking the Scripture lessons to the
congregation; and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) 1985 report, Women in the Church: Scriptural Principles
and Ecclesial Practice, by claiming on page 45 that there is no
apostolic prohibition of women reading the lessons in the public
service, directly contradicts St. Paul who says “Let your women
keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak”; and
WHEREAS, This practice, being contrary to the Word of God, is
thereby destructive to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
(Eph. 4:3) which we as Christians are to pursue; and
WHEREAS, The public reading of Scripture is listed by St. Paul
as one of St. Timothy’s official duties as pastor (1 Tim. 4:13; cf.
Acts 13:15); and
WHEREAS, While circumstances may arise when laymen may
and even must read the lessons before the congregation in place of
the pastor, the Scriptures specifically prohibit women from this task
based on the order of creation; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CTCR revisit and correct the 1985 CTCR
report, Women in the Church: Scriptural Principles and Ecclesial
Practice, specifically regarding the practice of women reading the
Holy Scriptures publicly before the congregation; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR revisit the issue of whether the public
reading before the congregation constitutes an official duty and
authoritative act of the pastoral office in view of 1 Tim. 4:13; and
be it further
Resolved, That Synod affirm that the men, as heads of their own
households, should be the leaders in their congregations; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the Synod call on its president and pastors to
study together and teach their congregations what the Scriptures
teach about the roles of men and women in the home and the church,
that we might gain a better understanding and stronger agreement
on what God’s Word says concerning our various stations in life.
Mission of the Cross
Crosslake, MN
Ov. 5-30

To Reaffirm Doctrine of Men Serving
in Office of Holy Ministry
WHEREAS, Scripture tells us that only certain men (1 Tim. 3:1–
7; Titus 1:7–9; Matt. 10:2–4) can enter the Office of the Holy
Ministry (1 Cor. 14:33–35; 1 Tim. 2:11–15; Titus 1:5–9; 2 Tim.
2:2); and