By the Rev. Prof. Richard T. Nuffer, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Director of Vicarage

Catapult yourself ahead a few years. You have made the decision to attend seminary. You have put in two hard years of theological study, a vicarage and a final year back at "the sem". You have been called to your first congregation, and upon arriving are met with a question from a member of the parish, "Pastor, will you bury my aunt, who just died? She's not a member of our congregation. She was, at one time long ago. I know that all of our family would appreciate your words of comfort from Scripture." Or, the question might be, "Pastor, some of my friends have invited me to participate in a non-denominational, lay-led Bible study at one of their homes. Is it OK for me to join them, especially if I remind them that I am a Lutheran?" These questions/situations and others are part of the "nuts and bolts" of daily pastoral life. You, too, should you desire to study for the Holy Ministry, might one day have to respond to them. How you respond will greatly evidence your understanding of the Word of God and the Office of the Holy Ministry.

It is tempting to preface your response with, "It is my policy to . . .", or "It is the church's policy to . . .", or even "It is the District and Synod's policy to . . ." Each of these prefaces is fatally flawed, for the church has no policy, but only doctrine and practice. Christ never issued policy commands, but instead taught (establishing doctrine) and acted consistent with His teachings (establishing practice). Policy is based upon power and the right to enforce; doctrine and practice are based upon Biblical faith and love for God's people.

Doctrine is not man-made but is God-made. All doctrine comes from Scripture. Doctrine is therefore "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:l6-l7).

Hence, practice must necessarily flow from doctrine. All practical questions, such as those previously mentioned, must ultimately be considered theological questions. It is not a matter of simply determining what is in accord with "policy", what is expedient, or what might be acceptable to the greatest number of people. It is rather a matter of determining "What doth the Lord require?" Only then can a pastor be faithful to the One who was first faithful, Jesus Christ. Doctrine informs practice. Practical questions are ultimately Christological in nature, reflecting our understanding of Christ and His church. They are not just simply matters of policy.

It is so tempting for a young pastor just out of seminary to say, "Whew! I'm glad the studying has ended. I'm glad I can finally just put the books behind me and simply be practical." However, the Book, God's inscripturated Word, can never be put behind us; and our Lutheran Confessions also dare not be put behind us. Instead they should be kept before us at all times, informing the day-to-day practice of the Holy Ministry. The only correct "policy" is doctrinally sound practice that honors Christ and bears Him forth into the lives of His redeemed people!

From Volume 2, Issue 2, March/April 1998