# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1992_S118 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 120 , : RESOLUTIONS Wuereas, Legalized gambling and accompanying con- cerns continue to proliferate throughout our society; and Wuereas, The CTCR has indicated that it is in the pro- cess of addressing this assignment in cooperation with our partner church, the Lutheran Church—Canada; therefore be it : Resolved, That the Synod commend the CTCR for its efforts to work together with the LCC in its work on this assignment; and be it further Resolved, That the CTCR be encouraged to complete work on this assignment as soon as possible so that the church may be well advised regarding this very significant social and moral concern of our times.: Action: Adopted (14). To Conduct a Study of Liberation Theology ; RESOLUTION 3-20 Overtures 3-96A-B (CW, pp. 209-10) Wuereas, Liberation theology, a philosophy which blends Marxist thought and Christian teaching, is com- monly discussed, preached, and taught in many countries by many diverse church groups as a “preferential option for the poor” and as a way for Christians living in the Third World to apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their own particular setting; and Wuereas, The LCMS has not produced a statement con- cerning liberation theology and its compatibility with confessional Lutheranism; and Wuereas, Such a statement would be of great benefit to the LCMS as it discusses liberation theology with other denominations; therefore be it Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church Relations conduct a comprehensive study of lib- eration theology and its variations in light of confessional Lutheranism. . Action: Adopted (14). To Acknowledge and Use God’s Gifts of Research and Analysis RESOLUTION 3-21A Overture 3-52 (CW, pp. 195-96) Wuereas, The scriptural doctrine of creation moves us to recognize and use God’s gift of rational analysis of the earthly realm (also in the ministerial use of reason within the church) as is confessed in Luther’s explanation of the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed; and Wuenreas, The ‘academic disciplines and research and planning help to shape insights and provide direction which may be used in the service of proclaiming the biblical message which alone informs us of the way of salvation in Christ Jesus; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention acknowledge God’s good gifts of research and rational analysis and urge their appropriate use in the life and mission of the church. Action: Adopted (14). (A motion was made to table the resolution but was not sustained.) To Recognize Pastoral Visitation as a Means of Edifying the Church RESOLUTION 38-22 Overture 3-52 (CW, pp. 195-96) Wuereas, The practice of the ministry of the Word in the Christian church and the Lutheran tradition has in- cluded pastoral visitation by those who exercise the office of the holy ministry as synodical President, District Pres- ident, and Circuit Counselor; and Wuereas, Such visitation provides one means for the mutual edification of the church at the congregational, Cir- cuit, District, and synodical levels; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS continue to seek the godly sedification of parish life and pastoral work through such wholesome and faithful visitations which through the Gos- pel encourage and support proper exercise of the callings of pastors and congregations. Action: Adopted (14). To Decline Request to Add to CTCR Membership RESOLUTION 3-23 Overture 3-109.(CW, p. 215) WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church ‘Relations from its founding in 1962 until 1981 was com- posed of 23 voting members, including 8 theological pro- fessora, 7 pastors, 6 laymen, and 2 teachers; and Wuereas, In 1981 the membership of the CTCR was reduced to a voting membership of 13, including 4 laymen, 4 pastors, 2 professors, 1 teacher, and 2 others; and Wuenreas, Three additional theological professors were added to the membership of the Commission in 1986 (Res. 3-16) so that at the present time the composition of its voting membership of 16 must always include 5 theological professors (4 of whom are teaching in the Synod’s semi- naries), 4 pastors, 4 laymen, 1 teacher, and 2 others; and Wuereas, Since 1981 the presidents of the Synod’s two seminaries serve as advisory members of the CTCR with- out limitation of tenure; therefore be it Resolved, That Overture 3-109 “To Add Two Seminary Professors to Commission on Theology and Church Rela- tions” be respectfully declined. Action: Adopted (14).