Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 392

2026 Convention Workbook
357THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
WHEREAS, Woman suffrage permits women to vote against their 
husbands (their heads), which violates God’s order of creation and 
undermines marriage and the unity of the family as noted in 
Ephesians 5:22; Genesis 3:16; and 1 Peter 3:1; and 
WHEREAS, Woman suffrage permits and leads women away 
from God’s command to obey and submit to their husbands as the 
church obeys and submits to Christ in all things (Eph. 5:22–24); and 
W
HEREAS, Woman suffrage undermines the Gospel by 
undermining the male headship principle upon which principle the 
Gospel rests (Rom. 5:12–19); and 
W
HEREAS, God calls men to be heads, that is, God calls men to 
lead, which entails men making the final decisions for their families 
according to God’s Word and what is best for the family; the 
responsibility of headship is laid on men and men lead rightly when 
they consult God’s Word, their own families, and others in the 
congregation; and 
WHEREAS, Male-only suffrage does not deny women a say in 
congregational affairs, but only the final say, which belongs to the 
men; every woman and child in the congregation has a say, but the 
final say rests with the men who are called by God to be heads; and 
W
HEREAS, The Church is called to be a light to the world and not 
to conform to the ways of the world, which constantly attacks God’s 
order of creation; and 
W
HEREAS, It  is sinful for Christians to support a practice that 
militates against God’s Word on His assigned roles to men and 
women; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod and the Commission on Theology and 
Church Relations—for the sake of the Gospel, that it be kept pure 
for the sake of the souls of men and the glory of God that His Word 
be honored in our midst —study and reexamine the practice of 
woman suffrage in light of Scripture and the history of Synod; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That such study would intentionally include among its 
participants pastors and professors who affirm Synod’s historic 
position, in order that this position receives appropriate 
representation and attention. 
Circuit 5 (Mitchell) 
South Dakota District 
Ov. 5-35 
To Affirm Role of Women in the Church 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture clearly teaches that the pastoral office 
is reserved for qualified men, and therefore prohibits women from 
publicly preaching, teaching, or leading worship in the assembled 
congregation (1 Timothy 2; 1 Corinthians 11; 1 Corinthians 14); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly affirmed this biblical 
teaching and opposed the ordination of women into the pastoral 
office as contrary to the Word of God (1971 Res. 2-04; 1977 Res. 
3-15; 1986 Res. 3-10; 1998 Res. 3-25A); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has also consistently maintained that these 
scriptural prohibitions do not apply to women voting in their 
congregations or serving on boards and committees at the 
congregational, district, or Synod level (1969 Res. 2-17; 1986 Res. 
3-09; 1995 Res. 3-05; 2004 Res. 3-08A); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has urged against practices such as women 
serving as elders or assisting in the distribution of the Lord’s 
Supper, due to potential confusion with the distinct functions of the 
pastoral office (1989 Res. 3-10; 2016 Res. 5-14); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has stated that the public reading of 
Scripture lessons by women is not forbidden by Scripture, while 
encouraging congregations to act with care and sensitivity in such 
matters, recognizing this as an area of Christian judgment (1989 
Res. 3-14); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod again unequivocally reaffirm its 
opposition to the ordination of women to the pastoral office as 
contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its doctrinal and practical 
positions regarding women’s suffrage and participation in boards, 
committees, and commissions of the Synod, as well as appropriate 
forms of service in the public worship life of the church; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage women to exercise their 
Spirit-given gifts in faithful service within congregations, districts, 
and Synod structures to the glory of God and the building up of 
Christ’s Body; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod commend the faithful service of 
women throughout its history and in the present , and actively 
encourage women to serve the church in various commissioned and 
lay vocations, including but not limited to: teachers, directors of 
Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, directors of 
family life ministry, directors of parish music, deaconesses, parish 
assistants, and directors of church ministries (Bylaw 2.6.1.1), as 
well as many unpaid roles of leadership, mercy, witness, and 
support; and be it finally 
Resolved, That congregations, districts, and agencies of the 
Synod be urged not to restrict the service of women beyond what 
Scripture clearly prohibits, in faithful adherence to the resolutions 
and doctrinal positions of Synod. 
South Lake 
League City, TX 
Ov. 5-36 
To Affirm Inspiration and Authority  
of Mark 16:9–20 
WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures of the prophets (Old Testament) 
and apostles (New Testament) are the foundation of Christ’s Church 
on earth, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20); and 
WHEREAS, The Scriptures, along with the Lutheran Confessions, 
which are normed by the Holy Scriptures, are the unalterable rule 
and norm of all doctrine and practice for and in all her 
congregations, and by which all rostered ministers are pledged 
before God to conduct their office; and 
WHEREAS, Scripture is never a matter of private opinion or 
interpretation but is given by the  Holy Spirit through holy men 
whom that same Spirit moved, inspired (2 Peter 1:20 –21; 2 Tim. 
3:16–17), and gave their very words; and 
WHEREAS, The Gospel according to St. Mark is a universally 
accepted Gospel in the New Testament canon of Scriptures and was 
never included among the so- called antilegomena, that is, those 
books the  inclusion of which some church leaders spoke against 
when the canon was accepted by the Christian church; and 
WHEREAS, Two ancient Greek texts of the Holy Scriptures, 
rediscovered in the 19th century and  originating from the fourth