To Rescind Synodical Resolution 3-08A (2004 Convention)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in her 62nd Regular Convention in July of 2004 passed Res. 3-08A that “Affirms the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR Report: The service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices;” and

WHEREAS, The Bible clearly teaches God pleasing roles and functions for both men and women in family, culture, society, and in the Church (Genesis 2:4-24, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, 14:33-36, Ephesians 5:22-33, Luther’s Small Catechism – Table of Duties); and

WHEREAS, The 1994 report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) on “The Service of Women in Congregational Offices” did not adequately address the place of “The Order of Creation” in its report, but instead, focused heavily on distinctive functions of the pastoral office by replacing the basic biblical principle that women should not have authority over men with one application of that principle, that women should not become pastors*, and

WHEREAS, 1 Timothy 2:12-13 states, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man…For Adam was formed first, then Eve” and this divine teaching is contradicted by the “Conclusions” of the 1994 CTCR report; and

WHEREAS, The 1994 report of the CTCR departed dramatically from the historic understanding of the Lutheran Church on the matter of the role of women in congregational offices, by restricting the authority women are forbidden to have over men to the Pastoral Office; and

WHEREAS, The 1994 report of the CTCR and 2004 Resolution 3-08A promote confusion, instability, and disunity and led the Synodical President to object to the report, saying that “it ‘suggests a modification in the present position of the Synod’.” and led five theological professors of the CTCR to also object that the majority report did not adequately address the “order of creation,” including the basic principle that women should not exercise authority over men;** and

WHEREAS, The teaching of Scripture does not change; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That for the sake of remaining faithful to the Word of God in all its parts, for the
unity of the Church, and for the edifying of our people and congregations, the Wyoming District encourage and support its congregations in remaining faithful to the historic, orthodox, and Biblical Lutheran teaching and practice of the role of women in the Church; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the congregations of the Wyoming District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod reject the teaching/doctrine/practice of women exercising authority over man in violation of the order of creation as expressed in Res. 3-08A; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Wyoming District bring Resolution 3-02A to the attention of the CTCR and urge the 2007 Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod to rescind Resolution 3-08A of the 2004 Convention of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That a new document, based upon Scripture and our Lutheran Confessions, And
fulfilling the LCMS Convention Resolution (1995: 3-10) requesting a comprehensive study of the Scriptural Relationship of Man and Woman, including the doctrine of creation in the image of God, its implications for dominion and subordination, and its application to the service of women in the church, including suffrage and ordination,*** be presented for approval by Synod at its next convention.

 

*Jastram, Man as Male and Female: Created in the Image of God, Concordia Theological Quarterly, Vol. 68 No. 1
January 2004, pg 91
** Ibid, pg 91-92
*** Ibid, pg 92

Passed by the Wyoming District at their 2006 convention

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.