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1998 Convention Resolutions
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To
Continue Support of Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) Report
5-01 (CW, pp. 78-83), Overtures 5-10-14 (CW, pp. 212-14) WHEREAS
There is an increasing number of special-need pastoral vacancies and
mission start-up opportunities in the LCMS; and WHEREAS,
There is a need to provide off‑site seminary education to meet these
special needs; and WHEREAS,
The Board for Higher Education has established the Joint Seminaries DELTO
program for off-site preparation of future pastors; and WHEREAS,
The DELTO Policy Manual has been developed to provide a responsible
educational process supervised by the two seminaries; therefore be it Resolved,
That the Synod commend the seminary faculties for their cooperation in the
development and implementation of the DELTO program; and be it finally Resolved,
That the Synod continue the DELTO program and direct the BHE to assure
compliance with the approved policies. Action:
Adopted (2) |
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To Establish an Ordained Diaconate Background The
Need
For several years the Board for Higher Education, the Standing
Committee for Pastoral Ministry, and the Council of Presidents have been
studying the needs of our Synod in various areas of church worker
recruitment. It has become clear that there are numerous instances where a
professional worker (i.e., employed full-time by a congregation) cannot be
utilized by the congregation. Most often this is due to financial
constraints in rural and urban areas, but increasingly it is because
immigrant groups need to be reached in their native language. Our Synod
needs to meet challenges in the rural and urban congregations who cannot
afford a pastor as well as the rapidly growing opportunities for mission
among immigrant groups.
During the past triennium the seminaries' Distance Education
Leading to Ordination (DELTO) program has been developed to provide a full
seminary education to qualified workers. This program is an effective
educational service to some of the workers engaged in volunteer or
bivocational laymen providing pastoral services. However, it has become
apparent that the majority of the workers needed for bivocational or
volunteer pastoral service are not eligible for this program, and further
solutions are needed. Consultation
Group
Recently a consultation group was jointly convened by synodical
President Barry and the Board for Higher Education to define a solution to
these needs. The consultation group includes Al Barry (synodical
President), Robert Kuhn (synodical First Vice-President), Dean Wenthe
(president, Fort Wayne seminary), John Johnson (president, St. Louis
seminary), George Wollenburg (president, Montana District), Walter Tietjen
(president, California-Nevada-Hawaii District), Donald Sandmann
(president, New Jersey District), John Messmann (chairman, Standing
Committee for Pastoral Ministry), Daniel Mattson (director of Theological
Education, Board for Mission Services), William Meyer (executive director,
Board for Higher Education), Alan Borcherding (assistant to the executive
director, Board for Higher Education). Also included in the group, but
unable to attend the initial meeting, are William Hoesman (president,
Michigan District), Richard Kapfer (president, Iowa West District), and
John Meyer (chairman, Board for Higher Education). This group met on 10-11
March 1998, and formulated the concepts contained in this document. Charge
to the Group by Dr. Barry
Dr. Barry shared his conviction that the dire need for additional
workers in these volunteer and bivocational ministries must be addressed
without delay. He
shared four key concerns:
Dr. Barry stressed that we can neither refuse to act nor can we
reduce the standards for seminary education of pastors. A possible
solution would be men ordained to serve only in specific places and under
permanent supervision. He urged the group to formulate a solution that
could be presented to the 1998 convention. Congregational
Ministry Issues
During the discussion period reports were received from Districts
and parishes that confirmed the sense that there is a growing need for
volunteer and bivocational workers. The number of congregations struggling
to afford a pastor is growing. At the same time, the arrival of many
immigrants from places such as Sudan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and India
necessitates provision of pastoral services in many languages. The
decision-makers and leaders must be close to the action and able to
respond quickly. Loehe provided numerous "sendlings" to
evangelize America. The original Fort Wayne seminary sent out pastors with
one year of training. We need to capture that spirit of flexibility
without sacrificing the integrity of seminary programs. Ordination
Issues
The group discussed the Lutheran understanding of ordination.
Ordination does not require seminary training; however, ordination is not
to be treated cavalierly. The confessional requirement that those who
offer Word and Sacrament ministry should be called (hence, ordained) is
paramount. It must also be noted that while the Office of the Public
Ministry is a single divine reality, by human arrangement we may organize
the clergy into levels that correspond to their pastoral responsibilities.
Of paramount importance is the Lutheran confession of faith
regarding the integrity of the pastoral office and the theology of
ordination. The proposed implementation of service by ordained deacons
would place the deacons under permanent supervision by pastors while
officially authorizing their Word and Sacrament ministry through
ordination and a call to serve in a specific place. The Christian and
Lutheran church has throughout history recognized the validity of
establishing pastoral assistants who are properly authorized to provide
limited Word and Sacrament ministry under the supervision of a parish
pastor. The proposal below specifies that the deacons will not be acting
independently of the pastor who has responsibility for the congregation. Diaconate
Concepts
For the purposes of this discussion, we can regard a parish as all
the places of Word and Sacrament ministry being served by a specific
pastor. Therefore, when several congregations or preaching stations are
served by a specific pastor, this functions as a single parish. Those who
assist the pastor in outlying areas are providing the daily pastoral care
under his supervision. A deacon would be a man raised up by the
congregation to provide Word and Sacrament ministry, provided that he has
been ordained and placed under the supervision of the pastor. Such a man
is called only to serve in that place, but for an unspecified period of
time. Likewise, a deacon providing specialized ministry (e.g., in a
foreign language) is always under pastoral supervision.
The consultation group agreed with hearty consensus that the
following material be implemented by the Synod. Description
of an Ordained Diaconate A.
Definitions
The ordained diaconate is a nonrostered office that provides
pastoral services under the supervision of a seminary-trained pastor.
An ordained deacon is a man selected by a congregation to conduct
Word and Sacrament ministry in a situation where full-time ordained
pastoral ministry cannot be maintained. An ordained deacon serves under
the permanent supervision of a seminary-trained pastor in a specific
place. B.
Eligible Situations
Summary: An ordained deacon may conduct Word and Sacrament ministry
in a situation where full-time ordained pastoral ministry cannot be
maintained.
An ordained deacon may serve, a congregation by providing Word and
Sacrament ministry that cannot be maintained by a full-time seminary-trained
pastor This includes mini try in specialized contexts (e.g., immigrant
groups). A congregation may establish as many ordained deacons as are
needed to provide its ministry needs, within the parameters of the
ordained diaconate program. An ordained deacon may not be placed into
service in a situation where an assistant pastor could be called. An
ordained deacon must serve a ministry of a specific local congregation
that is under the care of a seminary-trained pastor.. C.
Supervision and Functions
Summary: An ordained deacon provides basic pastoral care under the
supervision of a parish pastor. He is not authorized to make pastoral
decisions or act independently of the judgment of his supervising pastor.
The ordained deacon must be supervised by one seminary-trained LCMS
parish pastor. He cannot be directly supervised by Circuit, District, or
synodical personnel. The focus of the ordained deacon's work is primary
pastoral care: visitation, outreach, Bible study, and conduct of worship.
The ordained deacon is not authorized to make pastoral decisions. He
communes only the members of the congregation, and does not perform the
public rites of Baptism and confirmation. The ordained deacon does not
perform weddings or funerals without prior consultation with his
supervising pastor. The ordained deacon's sermons are prepared or reviewed
in advance by his supervising pastor. The ordained deacon does not offer
private confession and absolution, nor does he provide formal pastoral
counseling. He may offer such Christian advice and comfort as might be
given by any layperson. D.
Terminology
Summary: The terminology "ordained deacon" has been
chosen to reflect the fact that these men are preaching and administering
the Sacraments under pastoral supervision.
In keeping with Augsburg Confession Article XIV, the ordained deacon is
ordained and called to provide Word and Sacrament ministry. The biblical
term deacon is already in use in our Synod with reference to
"laymen licensed for Word and Sacrament ministry" (1989 Res. 3-05B). E.
Ecclesiastical Status
Summary: The ordained deacon is not synodically rostered. Because
the deacon is ordained he may serve as long as his work is needed and
satisfactory. He cannot take a call directly into the service of another
congregation.
The ordained diaconate is a status recognized by the Synod but not
included in the synodical roster. Although the ordained deacons are not on
the roster, a registry of ordained deacons will be established for the
sake of order in the church. There is no transition from the ordained
diaconate to the clergy roster apart from formal seminary training and
certification. Because the deacon is ordained, he may serve as long as his
work is needed, provided his work is satisfactory to his supervising
pastor and the congregation. The ordained deacon cannot take a call to
serve another congregation in the manner of a professional church worker.
A man who previously served as an ordained deacon may be raised up by his
current congregation on the basis of his residence and reputation in the
congregation. The ordained deacon is ordinarily either bivocational or a
retiree; he is not fully supported by the congregation. Unless required by
regulation or law, the ordained deacons do not participate in synodical
Worker Plans and are not classified as Ministers of the gospel for IRS
purposes. (This needs to be studied further.) Ordained deacons do not
attend District or synodical conventions as delegates. (This needs to be
studied further.) F.
Admission Participation
Summary: The ordained deacon has the knowledge, skills, attitudes,
and Christian maturity required of a pastor. He must be asked by the
congregation and the parish pastor to serve in this capacity.
A man becomes an ordained deacon by congregational
selection with the approval of the parish pastor and the District
President. The candidate for the position of ordained deacon will fit the
description given by St. Paul in 1 Tim.3 and Titus 1. Ordinarily the
candidate has been a resident member of the congregation for two years (I
Tim. 3:10). There are no standard requirements regarding age or formal
education. G.
Training
Summary: The ordained deacon is a practitioner, not a theologian,
and is expected to have a basic practical aptitude to serve the
congregation under its seminary-trained pastor.
The ordained deacon receives a basic program of training, oriented
to skills, and is not expected to study the biblical languages. The
training program is organized and operated by the Board for Higher
Education and the Districts. The seminaries have asked to serve this
program as providers of instructional material rather than as
administrators of the program. Seminary students should see themselves not
only as students, but also as potential trainers of future workers. Some
centrally prepared instruction materials will be needed to assure uniform
quality. H.
Areas of Instruction
Instruction offered to the ordained deacons will include the
following: Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, catechism and basic
Christian doctrine, Walther's Law and Gospel, pastoral visitation
and outreach, principles of Christian education, and principles of
preaching. Actions On
the basis of the above "Description of an Ordained Diaconate"
the following actions are requested. 1.
By 1 Nov. 1998 the Board for Higher Education shall prepare a final draft
of synodical Bylaws and any other appropriate documentation that is needed
to implement the office of Ordained Deacon as described above; and that 2.
By 1 Jan. 1999 the synodical Board of Directors shall approve the Bylaws
needed to implement the office of ordained deacon, having first received
the concurrence of the President of Synod, both seminary faculties, the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and the Council of
Presidents; and that 3.
Synodical Bylaw 6.91b is stricken, since it contradicts the foregoing
presentation; and that 4.
The convention rescind 1989 Convention Resolution 3‑05B, authorizing
establishment of "laymen licensed for Word and Sacrament
ministry," with the stipulation that the creation of ordained deacons
constitutes a replacement for the program contained in the 1989
resolution; and that 5.
The 1995 convention Res. 3-07A is rescinded with the stipulation that in
the case of any current "licensed layman" who does not become an
ordained deacon by 31 December 1999, his license shall be allowed to
lapse, and finally that 6.
The Secretary of the Synod be authorized to bring the synodical Handbook
into conformity with the above actions as needed. John
W. Meyer, Chairman Board
for Higher Education/Concordia University System William
F. Meyer Executive
Director Board for Higher Education/President
Concordia University System
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To
Convene Task Force to Provide Pastoral Assistance Where Full-Time Ministry
Cannot Be Maintained Report
R5-01A (CW, pp. 83-85); Overtures 3-81, 3. 83-84, 3-91, L5-64 (CW,
pp. 177-78, 180; TB, pp. 10-12) WHEREAS,
There is a growing number of congregations whose pastoral needs cannot be
provided by full-time pastors, and our Synod needs to meet challenges in
the rural and urban congregations as well as the rapidly growing
opportunities among immigrant and ethnic groups; and WHEREAS,
The Board for Higher Education, the Standing Committee for Pastoral
Ministry, and the Council of Presidents have been studying our Synod's
need for church workers; and WHEREAS,
A consultation group consisting of the synodical President, First
Vice‑President, both seminary presidents, five District presidents,
two parish pastors, a representative of the Board for Mission Services,
and staff, was jointly convened by the synodical President and the Board
for Higher Education to seek solutions to these needs; and WHEREAS,
This consultation group's study clearly indicated a need for action;
therefore be it Resolved,
That the Board for Higher Education convene a task force to create a
church worker position that will respond to the urgent needs identified by
the consultation group; and be it further Resolved,
That this task force shall consist of representatives of the office of the
synodical President, the synodical Board of Directors, the Council of
Presidents, the Board for Higher Education, the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, and the seminaries; and be it further Resolved,
That the synodical Board of Directors shall be empowered to authorize a
provisional implementation of this church worker position within the next
triennium, having first received the concurrence of the entities
represented on the task force; and be it finally Resolved,
That the task force submit this program and any needed Bylaw changes to
the Commission on Constitutional Matters for clearance before presenting
it to the 2001 convention of the Synod for final approval. Action:
Adopted (4) (An
amendment to substitute support of a
majority of for concurrence of
in the third resolve was declined as was an amendment to strike the second
to last resolve and one to add Lutheran
Lay Ministry Association in the second resolve.) |
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