WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has granted to His church the gift of the office of the holy ministry (John 20:21-23, Eph. 4:11, Matt. 28: 19-21); and

WHEREAS, Christ has declared to those who have been placed into this office by Him, "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10: 16); and

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions make it abundantly clear that those who have been placed into this office stand in the stead and by the command of Christ so that it is Christ Himself who through the office pronounces absolution to his people, baptizes them, distributes his body and blood to them in the Holy Supper and preaches to and teaches them through the voice of the called minister (SC V 27, AC V; XIV; XXV; Ap XIII 12; VII 28; XIV 18; XII 39-41; AC XXVIII 8-9; Ap. XXVIII 19); therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Synod reaffirm the doctrine of the office of the holy ministry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Synod reaffirm the confessions' position that, according to ecclesiastical order and its functions, "no one should publicly teach in the church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called" AC XIV). In upholding this position, we guard against confusing the uniqueness of this office and its functions with the identity and responsibilities of the priesthood of all believers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Synod through her district presidents, district vice-presidents, and circuit counselors assist the congregations of the Synod in upholding this doctrine of Christ; and be if further

RESOLVED, That the Synod promote and instruct her congregations, educational institutions and agencies in this essential confessional doctrine concerning the office of the holy ministry; and be in further

RESOLVED, That the synod reaffirm 1995 resolution 3-07a (rescinded at the 2001 convention); and be it finally

RESOLVED, That the Synod no longer authorize its districts to place into the ministry of the word and sacrament men who are not regularly called according to AC XIV.

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