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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 263
2026 Convention Workbook 228 THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS —COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 38 of 50 11. Framework implementation 11.1 Assumptions Implementation of the Framework is based on the following starting assumptions: 1. That GCB-CoB are delegated with the appropriate powers of the General Synod to implement the Way Forward Framework as approved at the Convention of General Synod, with particular attention to the provision of pastoral support. 2. Any pastors or communities that desire to transfer to any new Lutheran church body formed in Australia or New Zealand will be guided by the policies and procedures of the LCA. 3. The LCA will not place any unreasonable barriers before congregations that resolve to leave the LCA, having met their constitutional requirements. 11.2 Considerations The key considerations during the implementation process are: 1. The implementation of the Framework is guided by GCB-CoB under the authority of General Synod. 2. Implementation is conducted with pastoral care for all members of the Church. 3. The LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Principles for Respectful Dialogue will apply to all members throughout and after the implementation process. 11.3 Implementation costs The majority of the costs associated with implementing the Framework has already been incurred with the Way Forward project. The remaining costs, which will primarily support congregations and agencies to implement the Framework, are estimated to be up to $60,000. This covers communications, materials to support congregations and ancillary costs. An additional allowance of $50,000 will be set aside to provide pastoral care resources to the District bishops should this be required to support the pastoral care commitments outlined in the Framework. This will be deployed at the discretion of the bishops. Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 39 of 50 12. Matters for proposals 12.1.Theses of Agreement PROPOSED THAT the Theses of Agreement TA VI be amended as follows (Words to be deleted – strike through; word to be added - bold): Section 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 administrat ion 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 th e 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 Timothy 2:11–14 prohibit baptised women from being called into the office of the public ministry. Section 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 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. Section 2 The office of the ministry is therefore an office instituted not by man humans, but by God. 2 Cor 5:18–20; Eph 4:11; Acts 20:28; Apology XIII,11. Section 5 The office of the ministry is essentially an office of service to the Lord and His Church with the Word and the Sacraments, which office the ministers of the Church must exercise in obedience to their Lord and the directions given in the Word. Therefore, the office of the ministry does not give to those who bear it, arbitrary power over Christians, nor does it deliver the ministers of the Word up to the arbitrary directions and commands of men people. Likewise, it is not a Levitical priesthood of the New Testament (Apol. XIII,7-11; XXIV, 58,59); nor are those who bear it an exclusive class distinct from Christians generally; nor do they possess a peculiar sanctity or an indelible character; nor does the ministry possess the power of self-perpetuation. Matt 23:8–12; I Cor 3:5; 4:1,2; 2 Cor 4:5; Col 1:23–25; 1 Pet 5:1–3; Matt 20:25–28; Apol.XXVIII, 13,14; XXII,9; XXIV, 86 (German and English text re Liturgia); Smalc. Art., Pars II, IV, 9; Form.Conc., Sol. Decl. XII, 30; XI, 29. Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 40 of 50 Section 7 ‘No one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he they be regularly called’ (C.A. XIV). The Lord calls individuals into the office of the ministry through the Christian congregations, Acts 13:1–4; and the Christian congregation, either alone or together with other congregations, or through properly appointed representatives, calls qualified persons (1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:6–9; 2 Tim 2:24,25; Acts 1:24) into the office of the ministry publicly to exercise the functions of this office. The minister of the Word is thus called by the Lord through His Church, and by the Church as through human agency and authority, but in obedience to the command of the Lord. He They are therefore servants of the Lord Jesus, ministers of the New Testament, stewards of the mysteries of God, called to serve by publicly administering the means of grace. 2 Cor 4:5; Rom 10:15; 2 Cor 5:18; 1 Thess 5:12,13; Augsburg Confession XIV; Apol.VII, 28(end of paragraph); Smalc. Act. Tractatus: 14, 15, 24, 26, 67-69. Section 8 Ordination, though not a Sacrament, is the solemn ecclesiastical rite in which a duly qualified person (1 Tim 3:2–7); Titus 1:5–9), having accepted a call by a congregation or the Church, is received by the Church as a gift from the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 4:11: Titus 1:5) and publicly declared to be a minister of the New Testament, his their call thereby being ratified and publicly acknowledged, and the blessing of the Lord is invoked upon him them with the laying on of hands. The laying on of hands is an old and biblical rite, but it has no divine command and is not essential for the validity and efficacy of the office. Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 1 Tim 5:22; 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6; Num 27:18; Smalc. Art. Tractatus 70. 12.2. LCA constitution and by-laws 12.2.1 Constitution of the Church PROPOSED THAT the Constitution of the Church be amended as follows (Words to be deleted – strike through; word to be added - bold): Article 1.2 - Definitions 1.2.11 ‘pastor’ or ‘member of the Ministry’ means any person 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; Article 5 – The Ministry 5.1 The Church recognises and upholds the Office of the Ministry as the office divinely instituted for the public administration of the Means of Grace. For this purpose it shall receive into its Ministry, by ordination or by colloquy of ministers ordained elsewhere, men or women whose qualifications for the office have been established and who 5.1.4 accept and hold the Confession of the Church; 5.1.5 accept the Constitution and By-laws of the Church; and Way Forward Detailed Framework Page 41 of 50 5.1.6 undertake to participate in the work of the Church and to promote its Objects. Such members of the Ministry shall be recorded in the official Roll of Pastors Article 8 – Officers and Administration 8.1 The Officials of the Church shall be a Bishop and an Assistant Bishop. They shall be elected for a term of office determined by the Church. The Bishop and the Assistant Bishop shall be pastors of the Church who have served on the LCA Roll of Pastors for at least six [6] years.