To Condemn Use of Women as Lectors

Official Workbook overture source text

5-27 
To Condemn Use of Women as Lectors 
WHEREAS, St. Paul admonishes St. Timothy to devote himself to 
the public reading of Holy Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13); and 
WHEREAS, St. Paul writes, “I do not permit a woman to teach or 
to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet” (1 
Tim. 2:12); and 
W
HEREAS, St. Paul instructs that women “remain silent” in the 
churches (1 Cor. 14:34 NIV); and 
WHEREAS, The public reading of Holy Scripture in the context 
of the Divine Service constitutes interpretation, and therefore 
teaching, of the Scriptures being read; and 
WHEREAS, Pastors are specially trained for the exegesis of Holy 
Scripture and for the communication of that exegesis through the 
public reading of the Holy Scriptures; and 
WHEREAS, The public reading of Holy Scripture cannot be 
carried out in silence; and 
WHEREAS, Women are therefore disqualified by St. Paul not only 
from holding the office of pastor, but also from the public reading 
of Holy Scripture; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the North Dakota District in c onvention 
admonish the congregations of the d istrict under no circumstances 
to make use of women as lectors for the public reading of Holy 
Scripture; and be it further 
Resolved, That congregations and pastors found in defiance of 
this admonition be further warned and, if necessary, be subjected to 
disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Synod Handbook (Bylaw 
section 1.10); and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in c
onvention condemn the use of 
women as lectors. 
North Dakota District