Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 259

2026 Convention Workbook
224 
THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS  —COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
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10. Other considerations
10.1.Oversight of bishops 
In the Lutheran Church of Australia, pastors vow to uphold the public teaching of the 
LCA and promise to accept pastoral and doctrinal oversight of their bishop at their 
ordination. Pastors reaffirm their vows upon installation into subsequent ministries. This 
practice ensures that pastors remain committed to upholding the public teaching of t he 
LCA.   
Under this Framework, the Church introduces a tenure-based provision for nomination for 
the role of bishop and assistant bishop(s). Refer to Part E for further information.
10.2.Conventions of Synod and Pastors Conferences 
The Framework does not require changes to the governance arrangements of the LCA, 
including its District and General Synods. The processes regarding the election or 
appointment of delegates, both lay and pastor, continue unchanged. The entitlement 
to submit proposals is unchanged.
The Framework does not propose any changes to the duties and role of Pastors 
Conferences.
10.3.District considerations 
10.3.1 Constitution
The following change to the constitution of Districts, in the By-laws of the Church, is
proposed to address gender pronouns:
Paragraph From To
1.2.12 ‘pastor’ or ‘member of the Ministry’ 
means any person ordained to the 
Holy Ministry according to the rites 
and practice of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church who has been 
received into the Ministry of the 
Church according to Article 5.1; 
Replace ‘person’ with ‘man or 
woman’:
‘pastor’ or ‘member of the Ministry’ 
means any man or woman
ordained to the Holy Ministry 
according to the rites and 
practice of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church who has been 
received into the Ministry of the 
Church according to Article 5.1;
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The following changes to the constitution and by-laws part A of Districts, in the by-laws of 
the Church are proposed to implement a requirement for pastors to serve a minimum 
period before eligibility for nomination for bishop or assistant bishop(s):  
Paragraph From To
Article 8.1 The Officials of the District shall be a 
Bishop, one or more Assistant 
Bishops, a Secretary, and a 
Treasurer.  They shall be elected for 
a term of office determined by the 
District.  The Bishop and Assistant 
Bishops shall be pastors of the 
Church in the District.
The Officials of the District shall be a 
Bishop, one or more Assistant 
Bishops, a Secretary, and a 
Treasurer.  They shall be elected for 
a term of office determined by the 
District.  The Bishop and Assistant 
Bishops shall be pastors of the 
Church in the District who have 
served on the LCA Roll of Pastors for 
at least six [6] years.
7.4.2 All pastors whose names are 
recorded on the Roll of Pastors of 
the Church are eligible for the 
position of Bishop;  only pastors of 
the District are eligible for the 
position of Assistant Bishop(s) in the 
District.
All pastors whose names are 
recorded on the Roll of Pastors of 
the Church, excluding pastors 
emeriti, are eligible for the position 
of Bishop; only pastors of the district
are eligible for the position of 
Assistant Bishop(s) in the District, 
subject to:
7.4.2.1 Having served on the LCA 
Roll of Pastors for a 
minimum of six [6] years 
prior to nomination. 
7.4.2.2 Having served in various 
settings within the Church, 
demonstrating breadth of 
experience and 
adaptability.
7.4.2.3 The nominations 
committee verifying that 
all nominees meet these 
eligibility requirements 
before presenting their 
names for consideration.
10.3.2 Call process
The Framework does not change how the District bishop or delegate guides a 
congregation or parish in the call process. 
10.3.3 Relationships
The Framework does not require changes to relationships between Districts and other entities.  
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10.3.4 Governance and structures
The Framework does not require changes to governance and organisational structures 
of Districts.
10.3.5 Finance and risk management
The Framework does not require changes to the operating finances or asset/liability 
ownership of a District. 
10.3.6 Agencies (eg schools and aged-care services)
Under the Framework, an agency that is a calling body may call the pastor who best 
aligns with its ministry plans.
10.3.7 Auxiliaries
The Framework does not require changes to the operation of District auxiliaries.
10.4.Churchwide considerations 
10.4.1 Theses of Agreement
As outlined earlier, the Church changes Theses of Agreement TAVI:11 to allow for the 
ordination of women and men. Theses of Agreement TAVI: 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 are updated 
as part of this change and to make these statements more inclusive.
Section From To
VI:11 Though women prophets were used 
by the Spirit of God in the Old as well 
as in the New Testament, 1 Cor 
14:34,35 and I Tim 2:11–14 prohibit a 
woman from being called into the 
office of the public ministry for the 
proclamation of the Word and the 
administration of the Sacraments. This 
apostolic rule is binding on all 
Christendom; hereby her rights as a 
member of the spiritual priesthood 
are in no wise impaired.
A baptised person who is duly 
called (Luke 10:16; AC Apology 7 
and 8,28; TA VI:7,8) thereby enters 
the office of the public ministry for 
the proclamation of the Word and 
administration of the Sacraments. 
Scripture that underpins the Church’s 
teaching on the office of the ministry 
and the rite of ordination (John 
20:21-23; Matt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 11:23-
26) applies to duly qualified called 
baptised persons although some 
understand that 1 Corinthians 
14:34,35 and 1 Tim 2:11-14 prohibit 
baptised women from being called 
into the office of the public ministry.
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Section From To
VI:1 The New Testament ministry is the 
office instituted by Christ for the 
public administration of the means of 
grace, that is, the preaching of the 
Gospel and the administering of the 
Sacraments, through which as 
through instruments the Holy Ghost 
works saving faith in the hearts of 
men. Matt 10; Matt 28:18–20; Luke 
9:1,2; 1 Cor 3:5–8; Augsburg 
Confession V; Form.Conc., Sol.Decl. 
XI,29. 
Replace ‘men’ with ‘people’:
The New Testament ministry is the 
office instituted by Christ for the 
public administration of the means 
of grace, that is, the preaching of 
the Gospel and the administering of 
the Sacraments, through which as 
through instruments the Holy Ghost 
works saving faith in the hearts of 
people. Matt 10; Matt 28:18–20; Luke 
9:1,2; 1 Cor 3:5–8; Augsburg 
Confession V; Form.Conc., Sol.Decl. 
XI,29.
VI:2 The office of the ministry is therefore 
an office instituted not by man, but 
by God. 2 Cor 5:18–20; Eph 4:11; Acts 
20:28; Apology XIII,11. 
Replace ‘man” with ‘humans’:
The office of the ministry is therefore 
an office instituted not by humans, 
but by God. 2 Cor 5:18–20; Eph 4:11; 
Acts 20:28; Apology XIII,11.
VI:3 Since it is Christ’s will that His Gospel 
be preached and the Sacraments 
administered, and since the use of 
the means of grace is essential to the 
existence of the Church on earth, 
and since according to the Lord’s 
promise the Church on earth is to 
remain until the end of time, 
Matt.16:18, the office of the ministry is 
an office, which is simultaneous with 
the Church and to which the Church 
is bound from its beginning to the end 
of time.
Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:15,16; Rom 
10:8–17; 1 Cor 1:21; Rom 16:25,26; 
Augsburg Confessions XXVIII, 8-10, 
20,21.
No change