# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2010_S152
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

152

MISSIONS

Whereas, Although it is concerned for the health of existing
LCMS congregations, TCN determines a congregation’s health based
chiefly on numerical measurements and sociology such as attendance
numbers and financial giving but not on its adherence to the teaching
of the Scriptures or the Lutheran Confessions; and
Whereas, TCN advocates changing the main emphasis of a
pastor’s duties from “being the lead caretaker of the existing congregation to the lead missionary to lost people in the community”
(“Pastor Survey,” TCN, question 7a [http://portal. tcnbackup.com/
Portals/0/5%20Pastor%20Survey.pdf]), thus diminishing the pastoral
care of the Law and Gospel that pastors have historically provided to
members of the churches they serve (Jn. 21:15–17); and
Whereas, TCN initially asks pastors to see how comfortable they
are with this statement, “If we do not achieve the 5% growth goal
in the next 24 months, and 5% growth annually thereafter, I will put
my name out for another call” (“Pastor Survey,” question 8d), thus
suggesting that the man who is divinely called to be a pastor is only
effective if he meets preset worldly standards, even though both Jesus
and Paul did not always find such worldly success in their ministries
(Jn. 6:60ff.; 2 Tim. 4:9–16; Acts 17:1–9); and
Whereas, TCN also asks congregation leaders to determine if
“The leaders of this church hope to initiate a style of worship service

that appeals to unreached people” (“Leader’s Survey,” TCN, question
3e [http://portal.tcnbackup.com/Portals/0/6%20 Leaders%20Survey.
pdf]), thus suggesting that a congregation’s worship style should be
based on sociology instead of the Word of God as it has been taught
in the Lutheran Confessions, or that a congregation’s worship style
should be changed even if it exclusively uses the approved hymnals
of the Synod; and
Whereas, The Holy Spirit alone is responsible for converting people to saving faith by His Word and Sacraments, when and where He
pleases; and
Whereas, Jesus in Matt. 23:15 teaches that a strong missionary
zeal without the proper biblical and Christ-centered doctrinal teaching is spiritually dangerous; and
Whereas, We as Christians are called to be in this world but not
of it; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CTCR, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and
Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne be asked to give a
theological evaluation of the premise, methods, and materials of
Transforming Churches Network; and be it further
Resolved, That this theological evaluation be completed and
published in The Lutheran Witness before the next regular LCMS
convention.
Mt. Calvary
Fullerton, NE

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 152

4/15/10 2:39 PM