We, the students gathered at LSM (General) Assembly 1971, support the efforts of women to overcome the societal barriers which hinder the development of their potentiality as whole person. We deplore the existence in our society of a sex-caste system which frequently dehumanizes both men and women, and plead for a re-examination of what is truly “masculine” and “feminine.”
Within the churches, women are hardly ever found in decision-making or leadership positions. A theology conditioned by a masculine culture has been used to reinforce an anti-feminist heritage based on superficial stereotypes of the female. Consequently the church has been deprived of a large pool of talent, energy, and vision of the majority of its members and has often failed to grapple with the unique problem and needs of women.
We affirm the inherent equality of all persons before God, and the need for women to be recognized as fully responsible participants in the body of Christ. The Church needs the full potential of its women. For this to become a reality in the Church, policy and attitude changes regarding the role of women are a must along with the active encouragement of women to enter decision-making and leadership roles in the service of the Church.
We commend those initial steps taken in this direction; noting particularly the approval of Women’s Ordination by the General Conventions of the LCA and ALC. However, we as LSM expect to see further steps in the immediate future taken to grant full equality to all women in all positions of the Lutheran church bodies.
This is to be publicized and distributed by all possible means.