# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S180
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

180

IV. THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Congregation” (unpublished paper presented at “Common Ground” Forum, Pacific Southwest District, Jan 14-15,
1997, p. 8). On file in the office of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
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1 Co 11:26. See also 1 Co 1:10; Eph 4:1-3; Phil 1:27. Doubt or confusion are significant dangers of failing to
address the confessional aspect of the Supper “For we do not intend to admit to the sacrament and administer it to
those who do not know what they seek or why they come” (LC VI:2). “However, a person who does not believe
these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, because the words ‘for you’ require truly believing hearts”
(SC VI:9-10). See pages 32-38 and 41-46 of the CTCR’s report Admission to the Lord’s Supper for a more extensive
discussion of “communion as confession.”
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The harm caused by unworthy eating of the body and blood of Christ described by Saint Paul includes, not only,
judgment (κρίμα; v.29) but also weakness (ἀσθενής; v. 30), illness (ἂρρωστος; v. 30), and, in some cases, death
(κοιμάομαι; v. 30). One of the reasons partakers of the Lord’s Supper are instructed first is so that they do not sin
against the body and blood of Christ in ignorance and thereby receive judgment that may include weakness, illness,
and death instead of “forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation” (see SC 5). Therefore, when a person does not
recognize or denies that the body and blood of Christ is given in the Lord’s Supper, the pastor as a “steward of the
mysteries of God” has a responsibility to prevent the person from receiving the body and blood of Jesus to his
judgment and harm.
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Some of these statements were shared in whole or in part with CTCR staff members. Others appeared in various
online discussions. Still others are from congregational visits. All have been modified to some extent in order to
avoid the names of pastors or congregations, to correct grammar, and to remove extraneous matters (e.g., references
to the manner of distribution, to the use of individual cups versus the chalice, to availability of low/no alcohol wine,
and so forth).
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This is an example of a very common statement which is often presented in the form of several questions. The
questions ask for a Yes or No response and those who answer all the questions with a Yes are then welcomed to the
Table.
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Statements 5 and 6 are from a helpful booklet that provides both Communion announcements and artwork that is
seasonal in nature, Lord May Your Body and Your Blood Be For My Soul the Highest Good by Rev. Kenneth
Wieting (originally published in 1990, now available from Luther Memorial Chapel and University Center, 3833 N
Maryland Ave., Shorewood, WI 53211).

Adopted December 11, 2014
Commission on Theology and Church Relations
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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2016 Convention Workbook