Official Workbook overture source text
Overture: 5-27
Workbook page: 352-353
Source pages: 352, 353
Source status: source checked / public
Submitter: North Dakota District
Ov. 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
WHEREAS, 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
