Convention Update
Tuesday, July 13

Tuesday’s Business: July 13

Committee #1 Missions: All systems are go. Pass all. One Mission ABLAZE!

Committee #2 Dist & Cong Services:

• 2-02Uniformity in Catechism Translations.  Personal preference, no harm to pass
• 2-03New Lutheran Service Book/Agenda. Personal preference, no harm to pass. Amend to require electronic version first.
• 2-04 Freedom in Worship. Pass and beware any attempt to limit freedom by amendments or substitutes

Committee #3 Theology and Church Relations: 3-01 to 3-06 Pass, but beware of amendments or substitutions that will change the basic meanings of the originals.

Committee #5 Higher Education: 5-06A Defeat or ask to withdraw: Will make more expensive to meet w/o adding expertise or financial support as the resolution intended.

Committee #6 Human Care: Faith active in love!  Good overtures.

Committee #7 Structure, Planning & Administration: 7-02 See article on back.

Committee #8 Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution:    

 

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It will not make the papers . . .

. . . but the declaration of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya is a cause for celebration. This church body ministers in the midst of economic deprivation, internal strife, and the ravages of disease. Our partnership with them recognizes their faithfulness to the Scriptures, their boldness and courage, and their “consistent and bold witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of many burdens.” God grant that we may be a support to them and they an inspiration to us.

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Face-to-Face is Good!

Resolution 8-01a has been criticized for insisting on face-to-face conversation in dealing with divisions, offenses and accusations of sin. We should all be able to agree on one test for any structure of “Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution”—how would you want to be treated if you were accused, perhaps falsely, of some kind of wrongdoing? The protections and fair treatment that we want for ourselves, we must protect for others. Perhaps we can restore each other gently; perhaps we can reach a common understanding on matters on which we disagree; perhaps we can, as our Lord intends, “win over” and win back our brother or sister. How can any of this be done if we will not talk with each other?

Some people have found in Martin Luther’s explanation to the Eighth Commandment a supposed exception to the Lord’s words in Matthew 18. This is a misunderstanding of Luther’s Large Catechism. Luther specifically tells even “civil magistrates, preachers, and fathers and mothers” (who may have to “speak evil” of someone because of the duties of their position) “the right way to deal with this matter would be to follow the rule

Laid down by the Gospel, Matthew 18, where Christ says, ‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.’”

Luther sees only one exception: “Where the sin is so public that the judge and everyone else are aware of it, you can without sin shun and avoid those who have brought disgrace upon themselves, and you may also testify publicly against them.” This never applies where there is any disagreement that sin has occurred. Then we must talk to each other.

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Support Resolution 7.02:

Preserve Historic LCMS Self-governance!

The Issue        

The CCM has historically had the authority to render rulings between the conventions without objection by any board or agency of the Synod.

The Implications

The Convention has the challenge of resolving one of the most serious constitutional crises in LCMS history between the CCM and the BOD.

The Solution

Resolution 7.02, based on interviews of the BOD and CCM, recommends important and necessary revisions of the LCMS Constitution, Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.  These revisions clarify the authority of both the BOD and the CCM without adding to, changing or diminishing the authority of either or their relationship with one another.  Further, it proposes moving certain sections of the Bylaws into Articles V and XI of the Constitution.

Vote for Resolution 7.02

• Includes simple and thorough solutions to future misinterpretations
• Keeps the Board of Directors’ authority to review the work of boards and committees without micromanaging them
• Allows the BOD and CCM to continue functioning within their respective jurisdictions
• Protects the free exercise of our religious freedom under the First Amendment.  Our nation allows and expects ecclesiastical organizations to govern themselves on the basis of principles and procedures that reflect theological convictions and promote the ecclesiastical mission.
• Complies with the State of Missouri’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act
• Preserves the integrity and effectiveness of LCMS constitutional and juridical processes