Pastor Tom Chryst posted this on his blog and mentioned it in a comment here; I thought it should be called to everyone’s attention and therefore posted it independently of the other comment thread.
Recently, a Lutheran discussion forum mentioned this document by C.F.W. Walther:
“The Proper Form of an Evangelical Lutheran Congregation Independent of the State”
I set out to create an even shorter outline, or “checklist” for evaluating congregational practice according to Walther’s “purpose and form”. Here it is:
Adapted from, “The Proper Form of an Evangelical Lutheran Congregation” by C.F.W. Walther
A. Congregational Meetings
B. The Word of God dwells richly
C. Purity of Doctrine/Life and Discipline
D. Temporal Welfare of Members
E. Decently and in Good Order
F. Unity with other Local Congregations
G. The Church at Large
More specifically:
A. Congregational Meetings
- Public
- Encourage Participation
- Officers
- Proper Business – Doctrine, Officers, Discipline, Good Order
- All decisions in accord with the Word. Adiaphora by vote
- No shows don’t vote – Major decisions are confirmed later
- Careful minutes recorded
- Opened and closed with prayer
B. The Word of God dwells richly
- Establish/Maintain Office of Holy Ministry
- Proper Call (process) of Pastor
- Public Services of Worship
- Baptism, Communion, Pastoral Care, Funerals
- Establish a School
- No Conventicles
C. Purity of Doctrine/Life and Discipline
- All members strive to grow in the Word
- Establish officers to assist the Pastor (Elders)
- Use only pure books and ceremonies
- Admits new members properly
- Formal Church Discipline
- Deposing Pastors – only properly!
- No toleration of Syncretism or Unionism
D. Temporal Welfare of Members
- Provide for the Pastor
- Provide for the poor, widow, orphan, aged and infirm
- Care for the sick
- Bury the dead – even the poor
E. Decently and in Good Order
- Pastor records membership and pastoral acts
- Secretary keeps congregational documents
- A Treasurer – monthly reports – auditing
- Almoners appointed to care for poor
- Acquire and maintain property
- Items/Equipment necessary for Public Service
- Meeting times strictly enforced
- No precipitous votes
- Majority should yield to minority in some cases
- One speaker at a time
- Proper voting procedures
- Written reports
- Written description of congregational offices
- Constitutions may be amended, except regarding Word of God
- Each member contributes according to conscience
F. Unity with other Local Congregations
- Pray for all the saints
- Endeavor to be at one with other true Lutheran congregations
- Agree with other congregations regarding “territory”
- Honor and issue transfers
- Do not receive excommunicated members from orthodox congregations
- Receive those wrongfully excommunicated
- Consent to calling of pastors between congregations
- Seek advice from and advise sister congregations
- Assist sister congregations in distress
- Allow its pastor to serve a sister congregation in vacancy
G. The Church at Large
- Encourage young men to become pastors
- Provide support for Gospel work “Bread of Life”
- Distribution of Bibles
- Join in mission work
- Unite with Lutherans in our country to build the Kingdom