To More Directly Oversee Service of Ordained Ministers to Congregations to Which They Have No Formal Call

WHEREAS, Congregations in vacancy and other circumstances are routinely served by emeritus clergy and other clergy without a call to that same congregation; and

WHEREAS, It may be argued from the condition of acquiring and holding membership in the Synod that is related to a regular call (Const. Art. VI 3) that every minister and congregation agree to observe and respect the individual congregation’s right to call a pastor and not to interfere with that pastor’s proper authority in matters pertaining to his call; and

WHEREAS, It may be argued from C.F.W. Walther’s The Voice of Our Church on the Question of Church and Ministry, which the Synod has adopted in convention (2001 Res. 7-17A, “To Affirm Synod’s Official Position on Church and Ministry”) as the official doctrinal position of the Synod, that according to the good order of the church, clergy are not to meddle in congregations to which they have no call or responsibility for ecclesiastical oversight; therefore be it

Resolved, That called pastors of congregations, circuit visitors, and district presidents with ecclesiastical supervision more directly oversee the service of ordained ministers in congregations to which they have not a call; and be it further

Resolved, That all such service be reported at least to the most immediate ecclesiastical supervisor; and be it finally

Resolved, That any failure of an ordained minister to report such service and any interference in the internal affairs of a congregation to which that minister is not called be fraternally, yet strongly, rebuked by the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisors, and where there is not timely repentance and the concomitant change in the offending behavior, effective disciplinary action be taken for the sake of the unity of the church in accordance with existing procedures.