Workbook page: 222
PDF page: 257
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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 257
2026 Convention Workbook 222 THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS —COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 14 of 50 7. Framework Part C: Commitments to pastors and pastoral ministry candidates The Church makes a commitment to pastors that they will continue to be received and welcomed in a respectful environment. 1. Every pastor will be afforded a respectful environment, free from discrimination and harassment. 2. All current pastoral calls will remain unchanged. 3. There will be common candidacy requirements and call procedures for male and female pastors. 4. There will be prompt resourcing, under the oversight of CoB, to provide ongoing pastoral care and support to all pastors with issues that may arise from the introduction of female pastors to the LCA pastorate. 5. Any pastor on the Roll of Pastors is eligible to be elected or appointed into any pastoral position of the Church, including leadership roles such as bishop. 7.1 Conscience views Our commitment is that every pastor in the Church will be received and welcomed by the whole Church in an environment of mutual respect and understanding, where differing consciences are acknowledged while ensuring that harmful behavior is not tolerated. In support of this, the LCA offers the following commitments to pastors: 1. Welcoming environment: Every pastor will be received and welcomed by the entire Church, ensuring a respectful environment, such as being free from discrimination and harassment as they serve in the work of their call. 2. Ongoing support: The College of Bishops will promptly provide resources and support to pastors dealing with issues related to the introduction of female pastors. 3. Pastoral calls unchanged: Existing pastoral calls will remain unaffected. When pastors hold differing views on women's ordination compared with their congregation, fostering open dialogue and mutual respect is crucial. The following guidelines might be helpful: 1. Encourage respectful conversations and active listening to assist in understanding the perspectives of others. 2. Pastors can lead by example, demonstrating respect for differing views. 3. Focus on shared goals and mission. 4. Ensure that pastoral care extends to all members, including the pastor. 5. Consider asking the District bishop for support. 7.2 Call process The Church commits to pastors that their existing pastoral calls will remain unchanged. Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 15 of 50 The Framework provides constitutional acknowledgement for a congregation to call a pastor who best aligns with its ministry plans by permitting both situations outlined below during the call process: • the inclusion of male and female candidates for consideration on congregational call lists; and • congregations and parishes stipulate that only male pastors be included as candidates for their call. The Framework does not impose any requirements for pastors to affirm or disclose (publicly or privately) their views on women's ordination. The Framework allows for the freedom of movement of duly qualified women and men pastors between calling bodies of the LCA. 7.3 Worship There are matters that will need to be worked through in the 2024-2027 synodical period to address when pastors gather for conference and worship at local, District or Churchwide levels. These include: the recognition of ordination validity (pastors should acknowledge that pastors and bishops may hold different views on the validity of ordination, especially when it comes to female pastors); sacrament presiding and validity (the organiser of gatherings should provide for clarity on sacrament administration for conferences). Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 16 of 50 8. Framework Part D: Commitments to congregations and parishes The Church makes commitments to congregations and parishes, including the following : a) The constitutional acknowledgement of the right of a congregation to call a pastor who best aligns with its ministry plans b) The constitutional acknowledgement of the right of a congregation and parish to stipulate that only male pastors be included as candidates for its call list c) The resourcing of ongoing support to congregations to address issues that may arise from introducing female pastors into the LCA pastorate d) CoB to provide oversight, guidance and consistency of the pastoral support provided through the District bishops e) The mutual understanding that should the District bishop or the bishop of the Church be female, the congregations may request a male pastor to be deputised for oversight f) The Church’s statement ‘Responsible Communion Practice’ continues to guide the Church’s communities in their provision of the sacrament of the altar. 8.1 Conscience views Individuals, congregations and parishes within the Church may hold differing beliefs on the issue of women’s ordination, including cases where pastors hold different views than members of their congregations. We affirm the right to hold diverse perspectives while making a commitment that every pastor in the Church will be received and welcomed by the whole church in an environment of respect, understanding and unity. We commit to treating one another with kindness, even when our convictions differ, and to uphold the values of love, compassion and mutual support. In support of this, the LCA offers the following commitments to congregations: 1. Congregations have the constitutional right to call pastors aligned with their ministry plans. 2. C ongregations may stipulate that only male pastors are included as candidates for their call lists. 3. Ongoing support will be provided to address issues relating to introducing female pastors. 4. CoB will offer oversight and guidance through District bishops. 5. If the District bishop or Churchwide bishop is female, congregations may request that a male bishop or another pastor be deputised for oversight. Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 17 of 50 Congregations and their members will not be required to: • adopt a specific conscience view or belief • explain or defend their position regarding women’s ordination. 8.2 Call process The Way Forward Framework proposes that congregations have the right to call a pastor who best aligns with their ministry plans. The congregation may choose whether to call a male or female pastoral candidate. If the congregation discerns through prayer, interviews and conversations that it is not ready to include a female pastoral candidate, the congregation will be granted the right to stipulate that only male pastors be included as candidates for its call list. The congregation may also receive support from the District throughout this process. 8.3 Worship The Church’s statement ‘Responsible Communion Practice’ 3 continues to guide the Church’s communities in their provision of the Sacrament of the Altar. 8.4 Membership The Framework does not require changes to the definition of membership in Article 5 of the LCA model constitutions for parishes and congregations. Individuals (baptised, confirmed, communing, guest and voting members) continue to remain as members of their respective congregations in accordance with the constitution of their congregation. 8.5 Constitution The changes to the LCA model constitutions outlined in this section are recommended for parishes and congregations wishing to call male or female pastors. Further details about implementation can be found in Section 11:11 Framework implementation. This approach respects the autonomy of individual congregations while encouraging alignment with the wider church where possible. It also maintains the proper distinction between Church by-laws and congregation-specific constitutions. The following changes to remove gender references from the Model Constitution for a Congregation are proposed: