To Correct Erroneous Practice of Women Lectors

WHEREAS, God created man first and then the woman (Genesis 2; 1 Tim. 2:13); and

WHEREAS, On the basis of this order of creation God commands women not to teach or to exercise authority over men in the churches, but to remain silent and learn in quietness and all submission, which St. Paul explains as follows: Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. (1 Tim. 2:11–15 NKJV); and as follows: Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. (1 Cor. 14:34–35 NKJV); and

WHEREAS, “Learn in quietness and all submission” and “they are not permitted to speak” explicitly exclude women from speaking the Scripture lessons to the whole congregation in the Divine Service; and

WHEREAS, Many congregations in the Synod have accepted the practice of women speaking the Scripture lessons to the congregation; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) 1985 report, Women in the Church: Scriptural Principles and Ecclesial Practice, by claiming on page 45 that there is no apostolic prohibition of women reading the lessons in the public service, directly contradicts St. Paul who says “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak”; and

WHEREAS, This practice, being contrary to the Word of God, is there by destructive to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3) which we as Christians are to pursue; and

WHEREAS, The public reading of Scripture is listed by St. Paul as one of St. Timothy’s official duties as pastor (1 Tim. 4:13; cf. Acts 13:15); and

WHEREAS, While circumstances may arise when laymen may and even must read the lessons before the congregation in place of the pastor, the Scriptures specifically prohibit women from this task based on the order of creation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the CTCR revisit and correct the 1985 CTCR report, Women in the Church: Scriptural Principles and Ecclesial Practice, specifically regarding the practice of women reading the Holy Scriptures publicly before the congregation; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR revisit the issue of whether the public reading before the congregation constitutes an official duty and authoritative act of the pastoral office in view of 1 Tim. 4:13; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod affirm that the men, as heads of their own households, should be the leaders in their congregations; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod call on its president and pastors to study together and teach their congregations what the Scriptures teach about the roles of men and women in the home and the church, that we might gain a better understanding and stronger agreement on what God’s Word says concerning our various stations in life. Mission of the Cross