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

Official Workbook overture source text

10-34 
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 T he 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 w here 
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 c hurch in accordance with existing 
procedures. 
Circuit 14 (Austin) 
Minnesota South District 
Ov.