To Request Council of Presidents to Clarify Circumstances of Called Worker Removal or Resignation

Ov. 10-24

To Request Council of Presidents to Clarify Circumstances of Called Worker Removal or Resignation

WHEREAS, The Church, as instituted by her Lord Jesus Christ, publicly calls both commissioned and ordained ministers according to good order (Eph. 4:11–12); and

WHEREAS, Every called worker solemnly promises to serve God’s people in accordance with Holy Scripture and with our Lutheran Confessions (LSB Agenda, 166, 212); and

WHEREAS, Every called worker likewise promises to adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a holy and godly life (ibid.); and

WHEREAS, There is a public nature to the work undertaken by those who serve the Church (Matt. 5:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2–4), as such a task includes exemplifying the faith for those they serve to see and emulate; and

WHEREAS, Though rare, shameful and scandalizing cases have arisen, in which called workers are found to be unfit according to the scriptural requirements (Rom . 12:3–8; Col . 3:12–17; 1 Tim.

3:1–7; 4:1– 5, 14 –16) of those serving in called positions in the Church, which require a removal or resignation from the office held;

and

WHEREAS, Such cases are publicized to the Ch urch in a straightforward but question-inspiring manner, which gives way to justifiable curiosity, concern, and, worse, speculation or rumor; and

WHEREAS, Those who have been removed or have resigned from called positions that once qualified them to publicly teach God’s

Word in our midst at times move to other organizations or church bodies despite their being found unfit according to God’s clear standards, thus further scandalizing the Church and sowing confusion; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP) confer and compose a clear process by which the removal or resignation of called workers in the S ynod will be more clearly relayed to the wider Synod, taking into consideration Bylaw sections 2.13 and 2.17, with particular attention to Bylaw 2.13.2.1 (a–c); and be it further

Resolved, That the COP , in their work, consider relaying the status of the called worker ( restricted, suspended, or under investigation) at the time of the removal or resignation.

Circuit 20 (Mankato), Minnesota South District;

Circuit 8 (Oklahoma City), Oklahoma District