# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S99
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
2010 Res. 8-30B, “To Study Article VI of Synod’s Constitution,” added a particular focus that fits within the general purview of this same assignment and required a fresh approach.
It asked that “the President of the Synod in consultation with
the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, and the Commission on Constitutional Matters make provisions for the preparation of materials (a study)
that explain the biblical, confessional, and historical basis for
Article VI of the Synod’s Constitution.” The CTCR is at work
on a three-part study of this matter (historical, exegetical, and
systematic) that will include practical guidance.

2. Relationship of Man and Woman (1995 Res.
3-10; 2010 Res. 3-06; 2016 Res. 5-14)
The 2010 LCMS convention commended the 2009 CTCR
report The Creator’s Tapestry (prepared in partial response to
1995 Res. 3-10) and also asked the CTCR “to address additional
questions and issues.” The CTCR is continuing its work on various aspects of the topic of “the relationship of man and woman,” including the foundational issue of “the order of creation,”
as requested by 1995 Res. 3-10 and 2010 Res. 3-06. This study
will take into account a May 2015 request of President Harrison
to consider current and possible future implications of the 2015
Supreme Court opinion Obergefell v. Hodges.

3. Women Teaching Theology (Office of the
President)
In correspondence dated March 15, 2012, President Matthew Harrison requested a CTCR opinion on the matter of
“women serving as members of theological faculties and women
in general (uncalled or adjunct) teaching theology at our Concordias and seminaries.” Work on this assignment continues.

2016 Res. 5-12 affirmed the ongoing value and use of Luther’s Catechisms, stating its support for the work on Luther’s
Small Catechism with Explanation, which was not yet completed
at that point, and also resolving that “the CTCR, in concurrence
with the President of Synod and the seminary faculties, explore
the creation of an annotated and expanded edition of the Large
Catechism for widespread use and study in the church.” The
CTCR has begun this project and will continue it in the coming
triennium in consultation with the President and the seminaries.

6. Affirm the Right of Clergy to Perform Weddings in a Faithful Manner (2016 Res. 14-04)
2016 Res. 14-04 asked the CTCR to consult with the seminaries and others in order to “prepare materials to facilitate a
biblical and confessional, theological and practical study affirming the right of our clergy to continue conducting weddings
in accordance with our confession, and that these materials be
prepared in time for the 2019 convention.” CTCR staff assisted
the Synod’s Office of National Mission, which consulted with
Alliance Defending Freedom in creating a resource for use by
congregations, schools, and pastors, titled Protecting Your Ministry, during the 2016–2019 triennium (available for free download at http://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4275).
In addition, the CTCR is considering further work on this matter as part of its updating of its 1981 report on Human Sexuality
(see D.4 above).

E. Requests for Opinions
The CTCR receives and responds to requests for two sorts
of opinions:
1.

Advisory opinions are requests for guidance from
the Synod President, district presidents, and other
Synod officers, boards, and commissions on matters
of theology and practice under the general rubric
that the CTCR “shall provide guidance to the Synod
in matters of theology and church relations” (Bylaw
3.9.5.2.1) and “shall assist the President of the Synod
at his request” (Bylaw 3.9.5.2).

2.

The bylaws of the LCMS also specifically require the
CTCR, when requested to do so, to render opinions
(within 30 days) on theological questions that may
arise in cases of dispute resolution or cases involving
potential expulsion of an LCMS member (see, e.g.,
Bylaw 1.10.18.1[h]; 2.14.7.8[h][3]).

4. Updating Human Sexuality (1981) in light of
Contemporary Issues (2016 Res. 14-03)
The Commission’s 1981 report Human Sexuality has served
the Synod well for over three decades as a tool for study, discussion, and guidance in considering God’s gift of sexuality and
His intentions for its right place in human life. The 1981 report’s
enduring value is evident by its commendation as recently as
2016 when the LCMS convention affirmed it “as a faithful explication of timeless truths of the Word of God” (2016 14-02A).
However, profound changes have occurred in the understanding of human sexuality in popular culture since 1985. Surveys
indicate that a majority of people in the U.S. and the Western
world now view unmarried sexual relationships, homosexual behavior, bisexuality, gender transitions, and other practices and
behaviors as both morally acceptable and normal. Many Christians have also begun to question what were, a generation ago,
widely held convictions among believers about biblical teachings regarding marriage and human sexuality. In light of such
changing attitudes and convictions, 2016 Res. 14-03 resolved
that “the CTCR be directed to update the document Human
Sexuality (1981) in order to address current challenges to the
estate of marriage.” The CTCR has reviewed preliminary draft
material and hopes to complete a revised and expanded report
in the coming triennium.

5. Annotated and Expanded Large Catechism
(2016 Res. 5-12)

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In the previous (2013–2016) triennium, the CTCR received
one request for a bylaw-mandated opinion. The CTCR’s response, adopted at its February 2016 meeting, was not included
in the 2016 Convention Workbook, so it is included below (#1
below). Also late in the previous triennium, the Commission
received a request for an advisory opinion which was answered
by the CTCR after publication of the 2016 Convention Workbook. It is reported below (#2) and the entire opinion appears
in the Appendix. In the previous triennium, the CTCR also received two requests from the South Wisconsin District President
which it is still considering (see #3 below). In this triennium,
the CTCR received and is still considering one request for an
advisory opinion (#4 below).
2019 Convention Workbook