To Reconsider Use of Licensed Lay Deacons in Word and Sacrament Ministry

WHEREAS, There is an increasing number of congregations who are unable to support a pastor and his family on a full time basis; and

WHEREAS, The seminaries of the Synod have been unable to satisfy the requests from the congregations of the Synod for seminary graduates to serve them as ordained pastors; and

WHEREAS, Licensed Lay Deacons (LLD) served effectively in the Synod from 1989–2016 (with a short pause); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has changed its position on the use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry a number of times during these years; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has affirmed its position that Word and Sacrament ministry must be carried out under the Office of the Ministry; and

WHEREAS, The number of congregations facing shared ministry or potential closure continues to increase; and

WHEREAS, The present technological resources available to congregations make supervision of LLDs by ordained ministers more accessible and effective; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affirms the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit calls people to faith in Jesus Christ and sustains them in that faith; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention establish a task force to reconsider the use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry within its congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the task force specifically include districts that have historically made extensive use of LLDs in Word and Sacrament ministry; and be it further

Resolved, That any use of LLDsin Word and Sacrament ministry must occur under the direct supervision of an ordained minister; and be it further

Resolved, That the appointed task force study the document, Workers for His Harvest,submitted by the Northwest District Board of Directors following the 2016 Synod convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in convention submit this resolution to the 2023 Synod convention.