# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S300
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

300

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

WHEREAS, These documents offer divergent views while seeking
to faithfully draw upon Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized the need for
collegial debate, collaborative decision-making, and consensus
building, enshrining “[t]he example of the apostolic church (Acts
15:1–31)” in the Preamble of its Constitution and by adopting a
process whereby those principles may be observed with respect to
the adoption of doctrinal statements in Bylaw 1.6.2 (b); and
WHEREAS, The Synod in Bylaw 1.6.2 speaks about “seeking to
clarify its witness or to settle doctrinal controversy, so that all who
seek to participate in the relationships that exist within and through
the Synod may benefit and may act to benefit others,” and thereby
offers the possibilities of doctrinal resolutions and doctrinal
statements; and
WHEREAS, Bylaw 1.6.2 (b)(2), with respect to doctrinal
statements, calls for a process that allows for “study and
suggestions” for as much as a year on such controverted matters;
and
WHEREAS, The witness of Scripture and the early Christian
Church was that “after there had been much debate” (Acts 15:7
ESV) on the controverted matter regarding the circumcision of
Gentile converts a decision was made; and
WHEREAS, Resolutions voted on at Synod conventions, including
doctrinal resolutions, do not inherently allow for debate or
discussion that is described in Acts 15:7 as πολλῆς—much,
multitudinous, plenteous, numerous, a great amount—but instead
are sometimes voted on with little or no debate, even on both
significant and controverted matters; and
WHEREAS, The Synod in Bylaw 3.10.1.4 indicates that “The
Council of Presidents shall carry out such assignments as the Synod
in convention may give to the council from time to time.”; therefore
be it
Resolved, That a process be established of not less than a year
that allows for much fraternal discussion and edification with
respect to celebration of the Lord’s Supper at home in times of
crisis; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to refrain from the
practice of the Lord’s Supper in the home during online worship
until fraternal dialogue is complete and unity is reached; and be it
further
Resolved, That this process would involve discussion face-toface, preferably in-person or, if necessary through electronic means,
between leaders that reflect the divergent and diverse positions
presented by the documents “Communion in Homes During Times
of Crisis: Scriptural and Confessional Principles” and “One little
word can fell him,” with said leaders defined and determined by a
2/3 vote of the Council of Presidents (COP); and be it further
Resolved, That these leaders produce a joint document which
clearly states points of agreement as well as any unresolved matters
along with the Scriptural and confessional rationale for each
position, presented in a manner that allows for appropriate
theological reflection and study; and be it further
Resolved, That such a document would provide specific answers
to the questions: (1) does a particular practice violate any doctrine
concerning the Sacrament of the Altar?, and (2) is the consecration
of the elements in the practices discussed valid?; and be it further

2023 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That this joint document be disseminated throughout
the Synod to the congregations, pastors, church workers, and people
of the Synod for reflection and study; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations, pastors, church workers, and
people of the Synod have fraternal discussion using this document
through a process agreed upon by a 2/3 vote of the COP; and be it
further
Resolved, That after such processes any doctrinal resolution,
doctrinal statement, Constitutional or Bylaw revision, or any action
that relates directly or indirectly to the controverted matter should
be considered by the Synod in convention, provided that such
proposed action is in accordance with the process established by the
COP; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Texas District in convention memorialize the
Synod in convention with this resolution.
Texas District
Ov. 5-21

To Rescind 2019 Resolution 5-09A
WHEREAS, A natural day is determined by the sun, and the sun
was not created until day four in the Genesis 1 account (Gen. 1:14–
19); and
WHEREAS, The concept of natural day is a human way of
determining time and humans were not created until day six, the end
of the process, according to the Genesis 1 account (Gen. 1:26–31);
and
WHEREAS, God’s time is not the same as human time (2 Peter
3:8); and
WHEREAS, The Bible never uses the phrase natural day. As
President Harrison said during the discussion of Resolution 5-09A
at the 2019 Synod convention, “we try to say only what the Bible
says, and otherwise to keep our mouths shut,” (Proceedings, 155);
therefore be it
Resolved, That we rescind 2019 Res. 5-09A; and be it further
Resolved, That we reaffirm that we “believe in one God, the
Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible
and invisible” (Nicene Creed); and be it finally
Resolved, That since we believe that God is the Creator of all
that we therefore recognize that scientific research is a study of
God’s handiwork, noting that modern science began among
Christianity and religions that believed in one Creator God; the
Christian Church has not been anti-science.
St. John
Country Club Hills, IL
Ov. 5-22

To Clearly Declare the Work of Our Creator
WHEREAS, Scripture is the infallible and inerrant Word of God;
and
WHEREAS, Scripture teaches earthly (e.g. “historical”) things as
well as spiritual things; and
WHEREAS, The events described in Genesis 1–3 (and more) are
plainly written historical narrative; and
WHEREAS, The chrono-genealogies of Genesis leave little room
for doubt of their time span, regardless of whether there are gaps in
the listed generations; and