To Encourage Visitation by Synod and District

Preamble The Synod defines ecclesiastical oversight as: The responsibility, primarily of the district president, to monitor; to make inquiry and receive a response there to; to make suggestions; to bring concerns to the attention of a higher authority, namely the Synod status granting office, as relates specifically to the ecclesial relations of a recognized service organization operating within his district, and the impact and/or reflection of its work on the mission and ministry of the church (Bylaw 1.2.1 [i]). So also, the Synod defines ecclesiastical supervision as: The responsibility, primarily of the President of the Synod and district presidents, to supervise on behalf of the Synod the doctrine, life, and administration of its members, officers, and agencies. Such supervision, subject to the provisions of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions, includes visitation, evangelical encouragement and support, care, protection, counsel, advice, admonition, and, when necessary, appropriate disciplinary measures to assure that the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod are followed and implemented. Thus, ecclesiastical supervision is also the presenting, interpreting, and applying of the collective will of the Synod’s congregations. Ecclesiastical supervision does not include the responsibility to observe, monitor, control, or direct the day-to-day activities of individual members of the Synod, whether in the conduct of their work or in their private lives (cf. Bylaw 2.14.1 [a]). Further, those constitutional articles and bylaws pertaining to ecclesiastical supervision shall determine the full definition of ecclesiastical supervision (Bylaw 1.2.1 [j]). While The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) does not, strictly speaking, practice an episcopal form of governance, there remains an evangelical and biblical form of governance that places pastors under the supervision of their district president, and district presidents under the supervision of the President of Synod. That supervision is enacted by way of visitation (ἐπισκοπῆς, Luke 19:44). It is the Evangelical Lutheran position that forms of governance are adiaphora, but as the Synod Constitution and Bylaws are a human institution (1 Peter 2:13), Christians who have willingly aligned themselves with the LCMS are duty-bound to submit to the authority of the LCMS insofar as the LCMS remains faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. The shared ordination vows of pastors, as well as the confirmation vows of laypersons, demonstrate that there is an earnest desire to walk together as Synod.Thereare, however, theological differences among pastors and laypersons that extend far beyond those topics that may be relegated to adiaphora. Concerning supervision and oversight, Martin Chemnitz, in his En chi rid ion (1574; Ministry, Word, and Sacraments: An En chi rid ion [CPH, 1981], 17–18) writes: Now, when this little book was to be published, I then dedicated and addressed it first to you, reverend heads of the monasteries of this duchy, because the reformation of the monasteries was directed to this end, that the prelates should gradually be drawn in and used in the consistory, for visitation, for examinations, and for synods, etc. and because the examinations of pastors in the first visitation were for the most part held in the monasteries—so that this little book might publicly testify what kind of doctrine it is regarding which pastors were examined toward the beginning of the reformation, which [doctrine] also Your Reverences embraced and still profess. Moreover, at the same time I also addressed you, the superintendents, general and special, and all pastors of the churches of this duchy, to testify publicly, confirm thoroughly, and firmly preserve Christian, salutary unity in pure doctrine, against all pernicious corruptions, among the ministers of the churches in the duchy and in the city of Brunswick, as this very model of pure, in corrupt doctrine resounded by divine grace in all these neighboring and other nearby churches of Saxony, in thesis and antithesis, till now and still resounds, as the chief points are explained in a simple manner in this manual. And since God has given His special grace and blessing, so that the Christian declaration of the disputed points of religion—which [declaration] was incorporated in the church order of the duchy of Brunswick,from which also this manual was for the most part drawn—is approved and praised as correct by many leading churches, not only nearby but also far away, I could not object when the printer wanted to issue this little book anew, and I have also improved it in some places. And I hereby want the first, previous dedication of this little book to Your Reverence and Honor to be repeated and confirmed. May the faithful and most merciful God rule, teach, bless, and keep us in pure doctrine and unity of the Spirit, so that we may one and all, by the grace and help of the Holy Spirit, according to the teaching of Paul, hold steadfastly to the Word, which is salutary and sure, refute those who contradict, Tts 1:9, and endeavor to keep—besides pure doctrine—Christian, brotherly unity and the bond of peace, Eph 4:3. Let us guard against unnecessary, vexatious division and schism, Ro 16:17. Let us not give way or place, even in the least, to the wolf and to tares of false doctrine, Jo 10:12, but, as Luther says, do both faithfully and diligently: feed the sheep and drive away the wolf. Amen. Written at Brunswick, August 6, A.D. 1574 Martin Chemnitz Lord Superintendent It is well-established by the LCMS in its Constitution that visitation is a duty of district presidents and the President of the Synod: Article III Objectives The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, shall— 1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor.1:10),work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy; witness by word and deed to the love and work of God,the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the world; workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth; their Christian concern, love, and compassion in meeting human needs; education and nurture and to establish agencies of Christian education such as elementary and secondary schools and to support synodical colleges, universities, and seminaries; opportunities for recognizing, promoting, expressing, conserving, and defending their confessional unity in the true faith; practice, but also to develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our common profession of faith; teachers, and other professional church workers of the Synod in the performance of their official duties; church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights; 10.Aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and other church workers, and their families in the event of illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death. Article XI Rights and Duties of Officers A. In General been expressly conferred upon them by the Synod, and in everything pertaining to their rights and the performance of their duties they are responsible to the Synod. and, if circumstances require it, to remove them from office in accordance with Christian procedure. … B. Duties of the President administration of a. All officers of the Synod; b. All such as are employed by the Synod; c. The individual districts of the Synod; d. All district presidents. 2. It is the President’s duty to see to it that all the aforementioned act in accordance with the Synod’s Constitution, to admonish all who in any way depart from it, and, if such admonition is not heeded, to report such cases to the Synod. admonish, and reprove. He shall conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod. carried out. … Article XII Districts of the Synod and Their Regulation … supervision over the doctrine, life, and administration of office of the ordained and commissioned ministers of their district and acquaint themselves with the religious conditions of the congregations of their district. To this end they shall visit and, according as they deem it necessary, hold investigations in the congregations. Their assistants in this work are the circuit visitors, who therefore shall regularly make their reports to the district president. ordained and commissioned ministers for persistently adhering to false doctrine or for having given offense by an ungodly life, in accordance with such procedure as shall be set forth in the Bylaws of the Synod. … As it is also in the Bylaws of the Synod: 1.9.2 Before materials stipulated in Bylaw 1.9.1 are published, they shall be submitted to (a) doctrinal reviewer(s). Reviewers shall make a careful evaluation of the doctrinal content of all items submitted. Materials are to be reviewed in a prompt manner and completed in no longer than four weeks. Exceptions shall be arranged by mutual agreement between the reviewer(s) and the originating entity. (a) The primary responsibility for doctrinal supervision and review lies with the President of the Synod (Constitution Art. XI B 1). … 4.4.4 The district president shall, in accordance with the Constitution of the Synod, in his ministry of ecclesiastical supervision visit the congregations of the district. (a) He shall arrange in advance for an official visit to each congregation of his district at least once every three years and otherwise as he deems it necessary. He may call upon the circuit visitors and vice-presidents to assist him with the triennial visitation of congregations. (b) In his official visits he shall seek to bring about to the greatest possible degree the achievement of the Synod’s objectives as expressed in Article III of its Constitution. (c) He shall conduct his official visits in an evangelical manner. (d) He shall come to the pastor and the congregation as a brotherly advisor, reminding them of the joy of serving in the mission and ministry of the church. (e) In his visits he shall include fraternal discussion in regard to worship and communion attendance; participation by the congregation in missions and the work of the church at large; the congregation’s evangelism and education endeavors; its cultivation of sound stewardship principles; all aspects of compensation for professional church workers; the need for maintenance of purity of doctrine; the strengthening of the bond of Christian fellowship; and the provision of resources, opportunities, and assistance so God’s people can grow in their faith, hope, and love. …

WHEREAS, All pastors of the LCMS make the same vows upon their ordination and installation concerning pure doctrine; and

WHEREAS, It is the duty of district presidents to carry out ecclesiastical oversight and supervision per the Bylaws of Synod; and

WHEREAS, It is the duty of the President of the Synod to carry out ecclesiastical supervision per the Bylaws of Synod; and

WHEREAS, It is the duty of the Synod in convention to exhort the men who hold such offices to do their duty; and

WHEREAS, Christians are called to submit to all human institutions (1 Peter 2:13); and

WHEREAS, Hebrews 13:17 teaches that submission to leaders is to be done out of love and respect, with the confession that such leaders watch over the souls of those under them and will have to give an account to Christ at judgment day; and

WHEREAS, Pastors must therefore give an account for the souls in their congregations (Heb. 13:17; Acts 20:28); and

WHEREAS, District presidents must therefore give an account for the pastors in their district; and

WHEREAS, The Synod President must therefore give an account for district presidents; and

WHEREAS, Proverbs 10:17 teaches that paternal discipline is a blessing to the one being disciplined. This lesson is also taught in Proverbs 23:13–14 as well as Hebrews 12:5–6, 11; and

WHEREAS, God desires that all people—including pastors— would repent when their error is made known to them (Ezek. 33:11; Matt.18; 2 Peter 3:9); and

WHEREAS, No one lights a lamp and then hides it (Luke 8:16);

therefore be it

Resolved, That congregational pastors and district presidents be open and transparent with their ecclesiastical supervisors concerning their doctrine and practice; and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod be encouraged to visit each district at least once during each triennium for the sake of theological review, pastoral counseling, and reproof where necessary; and be it finally

Resolved, That district presidents allow their leaders to visit them “with joy and not with groaning” (Heb. 13:17).