To Affirm and Provide Guidance for the Service of Laity

WHEREAS, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9); and

WHEREAS, The 2018 Commission on Theology and Church Relations report (The Royal Priesthood: Identity and Mission, 38– 39) reminds us of the blessings of the priesthood of all believers:

1. The royal priesthood is a biblical way to identify, teach and confess the “one, holy, catholic (Christian), and apostolic Church.” That is to say, the royal priesthood is all believers, “from every tribe and language and people and nation” whom God has made a kingdom and priests (Rev. 5:9–10) by working in them faith in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Individuals become priests of the royal priesthood, the Church, by the saving promises of Baptism into Christ, where we receive the washing of rebirth, the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5; Acts 2:38–39; Titus 3:5).

3. The royal priesthood finds its identity only in Christ, the Great High Priest and only mediator between God and man. Royal priests are in turn called to lives of priestly mediation between God and the world. They offer living sacrifices of thanksgiving—not sacrifices of merit or atonement. In prayer they intercede on behalf of all people. They make known the excellencies of God in Christ—sharing His Word, gifts, and blessings with all nations. (See 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 12:1; Phil. 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9.)

4. As the people of God, both corporately and individually, we mediate God’s truth of salvation and life to the world around us. Every individual believer is called to confess the faith to others since the mission of the whole church, that is, the entire royal priesthood, is to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19–20). Members of the royal priesthood share in that calling as they give a defense for the hope that is within them in their daily lives (1 Peter 3:15).

5. Each royal priest is to exercise the functions of the royal priesthood—sacrifice, prayer, proclamation—in a way that accords with his or her vocations within the three estates of home, church, and society. (See Ephesians 5–6; Colossians 3; 1 Timothy 2.)

6. The Holy Spirit is at work wherever the saving work of God in Christ is made known, whether that message is delivered by a layman or a pastor. The Gospel alone is the power of salvation (Rom. 1:16). This means that the proclamation of the Gospel by members of the royal priesthood as they speak of Christ to others, at home, with fellow believers, and in society, is an effective means of grace by which the Holy Spirit creates and nurtures saving faith (Acts 11:19–24).

7. The royal priesthood does not undermine or negate the Office of the Public Ministry, which Christ gives to the Church. Members of the royal priesthood, in various ways, choose individuals from among them who are equipped to teach and called in an orderly manner to hold the Office of Public Ministry and to perform its distinctive functions. (See 1 Cor. 4:1; 12:28–29; Eph. 4:11; James 3:1; Titus 1:5.) and

WHEREAS, It is “Our Lord’s will that the diversities of gifts should be for the common profit. 1 Cor. 12:4–31.” (Constitution

Preamble 2); and

WHEREAS, The service of laity is distinct from the Office of the Holy Ministry of Word and Sacrament (Augsburg Confession [AC] V, XIV); and

WHEREAS, The Church has long benefited from the service of laity in the congregation (e.g., chairman, vice chairman, elders, treasurers, committee members, Sunday school and confirmation teachers, youth workers, musicians, commissioned workers, and other areas of service and evangelism) and through other entities (e.g., Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Lutheran Laymen’s League); and

WHEREAS, As the Church of Christ flourishes when both the laity and pastors recognize and serve joyfully, sacrificially, and selflessly in their distinct, God-given vocations; therefore be it

Resolved, That our districts and congregations reserve the distinct functions (e.g., preaching, presiding in the administration of the Sacrament of the Altar, private Confession and Absolution) of the Office of the Holy Ministry for pastors and not utilize laity for pastoral service in vacancies, church planting, extension campuses, etc.; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church promote, encourage, and strengthen lay service through the use of Synod, district, and congregational resources and lay training programs, including “a major emphasis on evangelism and the task of outreach, as well as mercy, education, visitation, and so forth in our increasingly diverse and challenging cultural context;” (2016 Proceedings, 235–36); and be it finally

Resolved, That the Church gives thanks to God for her laity and their service