LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 62

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62 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

that the LCMS has made some cautious beginnings in wel-
coming women into its Services, especially as a result of the
permissive resolution adopted in Denver, 1969 (2-17, Pro-
ceedings, p. 88). In the absence of a thorough statistical
study (an urgent task which remains to be done) it is
hazardous to speak in this matter. Still, it does appear that
congregations are receiving women into voting membership
in increasing numbers, that some women are assuming
parish responsibilities on various boards and committees. In
synodical Districts women are also beginning to make their

into a staff position. The church body can rejoice that
women’s talents to serve are being recognized and utilized.

to positions of trust, or by having them represented on bal-
lots for elective offices.

It is especially painful that the one area in which women
have a relatively long, and certainly, honorable history of
the service in the church — women teachers and deaconesses
—has also been the area where inequities and injustices
have been needlessly perpetuated. While the work expecta-
tions of women and men teachers has usually been the same,
the working conditions have usually not been. Salaries and
benefits have frequently not been equalized with those of

been available to women on the same basis as that offered
to men. With a very few exceptions women have almost

to deny it. That some of it may be unconscious does not
alter the fact that bias prevents women from assuming legiti-
mate services — services that cannot be challenged either on
Scriptural, confessional, or historical grounds. It must be
assumed that the origin of much of the bias is culturally
conditioned and nontheological in nature. Those facts must
be faced honestly by all within the community of God's
people.

Perhaps most of the Problems and questions of women's
ministries can best be resolved at the local level rather than
by organizational resolution. There simply can be no substi-
tute for Christians encountering one another face to face
to carry out what Martin Luther in the Smalcald Articles
calls ‘the mutual consolation and conversation of brethren
(I, iv). That is the lively function of the Gospel through
which the church happens. The CMMC cannot prescribe
what should happen, but it does call upon all members of
the LCMS to Open up its thinking to the Gospel in respect
to women’s services in the church.

The following represent 10 areas of very special con-
cerns which need to be brought under continuing study by
all responsive and responsible Christians. Some of them
call for an expertise that needs to be selected most judi-
ciously. They are offered not in any order of priority. The
ordering of priorities will have to be the task of the
readers of the report. Nor should it be supposed that the
list is exhaustive. The list merely suggests some matters
which did come to the attention of the CMMC in the course
of its own studies and discussions.

I. Some women require a special ministry of affirmation
in order to Overcome feelings of guilt and anxiety for not
taking advantage of the new freedoms they are gaining in
church and society, just as some require a ministry of
affirmation for the very opposite reasons. It should not be
supposed that this ministry of affirmation is exclusively the
province of male pastors. While male pastors may well
function in some cases, it seems likely that this ministry is
one which may most adequately be undertaken by fellow
Christian women.

II. The relation of parental example to the development

of sexual identity and values suggests that early childhood
education and education of parents are critical points. Much
study needs to be given to this relationship, and Christian
educators, psychologists, anthropologists, and theologians
—female and male — should be invited to Participate in
studies in this area.

III. The full acceptance of single women and men must
be cultivated in the church. Their acceptance must be on the

€ seen as a viable alternative to choosing Marriage. Re-
lated to this is the need for Christian parents and Christian
communities to create a climate in which young singles can
choose such a calling without anxiety and fear.

IV. Sexual identity cannot be interpreted simply in terms
of biology and physiology. The role of cultural expectations
and demand needs careful assessment in the light of Holy
Scriptures.

V. One of the most pressing demands laid upon all Chris-
tians before the ministries of women can be affirmed and

will supporting Christian communities seek to relate to these
young people? What kinds of training should be developed
to nurture these young people?

VII. If the structure of church cannot contradict the free-
dom permitted by the Gospel, what changes need to happen
at all levels of church in order to allow women to be in those
ministries which the church regards as legitimate? Perhaps
even more important: how can such changes be brought
about without needlessly bruising the faith of some Chris-
tians?

VII. The question of women serving in church needs
to be presented from the Perspective of sharing ministries,

IX. Some new models of religious discourse and com-
munication need to be worked on in relation to the sweep-
ing changes of culture that have already happened and in
relation to the impact of future shock. This is necessary to
learn to ask the appropriate questions and relate the Word
of God to the answers.

X. The individual purposes of the two auxiliary organiza-
tions, LLL and LWML, should be reviewed with these or-
ganizations in the light of the new situations emerging in the
relationships of men and women in church and society.

COMMISSION on MISSION AND MINISTRY IN THE CuHurRcH
L. C. Wuerffel, Chairman
M. L. Kretzmann, Consultant

2-45
To Prepare Studies on Ministries
of Women
Wuereas, Both in church and society women are assum-
ing wider Opportunities and responsibilities of service; and

WHEREAS, A large body of literature has already appeared
from purely secular sources, but relatively little literature
has been produced by the synod to assist women to grow
into their ministries as a life-style: therefore be it.

Resolved, That the Synod ask the CMMC to develop a
series of studies that will be theological, historical, Biblical,
and practical in character to be directed to women as a way
of enabling them to carry out their ministries in church and
society with assurance, integrity, and joy.

ComMISsIon on Misston ann MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH
L.Cc. Wuerffel, Chairman