The Office of School-Teacher in the LCMS
Posted on June 26th, 2009
I’ve often thought that the late Professor Kurt Marquart’s discussion of the one divine office and auxiliary offices in his book The Church: Her Fellowship, Ministry, and Governance (Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics, vol. IX, pp142f) is the most excellent explanation I’ve encountered:
[The office of school-teacher] belongs … to the “offices of parents” to see to it that their children “are educated in all piety, sciences, and arts.” Bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is also the parents’ obligation (Eph. 6:4), not that of pastors…. Walther [the first LCMS president] quite naturally regarded the provision of schools as a parental and civil function. “Here in America,” however, he argued, “the congregation takes the place of the government in this matter.”
How then did Walther relate the school-office to the one Gospel office? Walther held that in the apostolate Christ had “instituted only one office in the church, which embraces all others and by which the church of God should be provided for in every respect.” His 8th Thesis states therefore: “The preaching office [Predigtamt] is the highest office in the church, out of which office all other ecclesiastical office [Kirchenämter] flow.” Accordingly, “every other public office in the church is a part of [the preaching office, Predigtamt] or an auxiliary office that supports the Predigtamt, whether it be the office of those elders who do not labor in the Word and doctrine (I Tim. 5:17) or the ruling office (Rom. 12:8) or the diaconate (office of service in the narrow sense), or whatever offices…” In this context also belongs the office of schoolmaster.
Tagged: Kurt Marquart, ministry, Missouri Synod, school
How does that help us in our language of calling teachers?
It doesn't! But at least it helps understand it. I think something like "Solemn Appointment" would be better.
So basically schoolteachers have a contract and not a call. I wish people in the LCMS understood this and spoke of it correctly. But for the sake of further clarification; are they, like the deacon, deaconess, and DCE "office helpers"? Or do we place them solely under the office of the parent? My understanding is that the Biblical/Confessional concept is that the deacon and deaconess are "office helpers" while the DCE and school teacher fall under the authority of the office of the parent. Any thoughts? thanks
Since the school teacher teaches the Word of God in the parish school, I would say that in that sense the teacher is an "office-helper." The job of school teacher in general is in loco parentis.
I have an easy time seeing how the modern office of Lutheran School Teacher falls rightly under the office of parent. I have a hard time seeing how it falls under the office of the pastor.
Think of it this way, too. Teaching (like parenting) is mostly a left hand kingdom exercise of the law.
I would not say the same of the Pastor, of course.
I agree with this. I don't see how one can say that a parochial school science teacher has a "divine Call." In so far as that person teaches religion, he or she is still not, in my opinion, in loco pastor, but in loco parentis. Because parents have also been called by the Lord to teach their children the Christian Faith.
Interestingly, Martin Chemnitz only speaks of parents and pastors as having any divinely given authority to teach the Word (Loci Theologici).
Paul, thanks for your comment. Do you recall where that's found in Chemnitz's Loci?
I'm wondering if the problem, in a sense, is a non-Christian (or anti-Christian!) government, and thus government schools. Why did Walther say, "Here in America, the church takes the place of the government in this matter [of schools]"? I am guessing it was somewhat related to the use of the German language, but probably far more related to the need for a distinctly Lutheran education (which, theoretically, a government in a Lutheran land would provide). In that sense, the church is doing what is properly the role of parents [and government, also in loco parentis]. Since the church is doing it, it is a churchly activity.
Do the offices of pastor and parent have to be so radically separated? I'm just thinking out loud here.
I always told my students that I had been given authority over them by God through their parents. They didn't buy it, but I think I was right.
The "evolution" of our "Commissioned Minister" nomenclature was driven by first by the Selective Service and more recently by the IRS.
During WWII we wanted to protect our male teachers from the draft and so we started referring to them as ministers.
When I began my work (1975) as a Lutheran teacher, only male teachers were "called." The female teachers were always contracted. The IRS would allow the "called" male teachers to receive housing allowances that were not subject to income tax (like pastors). The feminist voices in the world and synod protested that this was not fair. We then began "calling" female teachers so that they could also receive non-taxable housing allowances.
I don't mean to sound the "alarmist" button, but it has gone deeper than just a way to give special favors through IRS claims. This is something that many of our Concordias have embraced as a mission statement, subtly or otherwise. DCEs are taught that they are equals to the pastor and that their authority also stems from God. They are taught that it is even okay to lead the DS and, for some, that means pronouncing the absolution in the general Confession and Absolution, preaching, and yes, the Holy Supper itself. They lead it by example, as well. Although I never saw my DCE profs being the celebrant, they did "preach" in chapel on many occasions, giving their testimony or finding some way to show how to "reach the youth".
The same is true, although not as obvious, with the teacher education programs. Often the Lutheran teacher's classroom is referred to as a "ministry" to the children and their parents, citing that often the only contact that some of these families have with religion of any sort is through said teacher. There is a push to get the LTD so that the teachers can feel "validated" in their chosen vocation and prove that they have a "call" from God to teach, thus showing that God has a specific, mapped out plan for their lives that they dare not stray from. Those who do stray from said call are seen as weak in the faith and suspect as non-believers in general.
I know of what I speak. I am a graduate of *both* programs from one of our Concordias. I have been a victim of those who discriminate against me because I demand a solemn appointment. I will not take a "call" as I believe that is an affront to the OHM. It might have started for IRS reasons, but it has taken on a life of its own.
That's pretty disconcerting, Christina.
A good discussion of the office of teacher is found in
Ministry in Missouri until 1962: An historical analysis of the doctrine of the ministry in the Lutheran Church–Missouri
LC-MS clergy can request it from the library and only pay to return it (less than $5).
I know this posting is a bit late, but what about a female DCE leading the preschool’s chapel? If the pastor has to be at the hospital to have a prayer with someone abut to have surgery and the preschool has their chapel the same time, what to do? Can the female DCE give a five minute message to the kids and lead them in some songs and prayers or would this be inappropriate? If the woman were to sit down with the kids in a classroom and give the same message, is that different? Again, no men present, just kids and female teachers.
I think context is the key thing. At my church, I want our teachers, male and female, reading Scripture and praying with our students. They do so in the office of parent.
We also regularly have chapel (Matins or Vespers) in the church. I am vested, I preach, etc. It is in every way a public worship service of the church. If I were gone, it would be inappropriate for a woman (or, I would argue, a layman) to lead that. Although, I suppose a layman could lead Matins, etc. if he didn’t preach.
In short, I think a woman leading such a service as you describe is fine, as long as the context doesn’t imply that she is interchangeable with a pastor.