# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S152 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 152 CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES WHEREAS, These congregations are using such worship services as a response to the changing culture and as a means to speak to today’s people in a relevant manner; and WHEREAS, Some people view such service variety as an unac- ceptable practice for Lutherans; and WHEREAS, It is desirable to maintain harmony within our Synod; and WHEREAS, This overture was viewed of sufficient merit to be passed as Res. 1-01 at the convention of the Northern Illinois Dis- trict, June 1997; therefore be it Resolved, That our Synod affirm and support the Lutheran Con- fessional writings, which allow worship variety and condemn im- posed adherence to those things that are “external ceremonies” and also condemn those who would judge others on the basis of such “ceremonies, precepts and institutions” (Epitome Art. 10); and be it further Resolved, That our Synod encourage among the pastors and people of our Synod an evangelical attitude toward this potentially divisive issue, applying Christian love and synodical brotherhood; and be it finally Resolved, That our Synod at the same time encourage all of its pastors and worship leaders to carefully evaluate worship materials to maintain Gospel-centered and doctrinally sound worship ser- vices. St. John Mount Prospect, IL 2-61 To Provide Culturally Relevant Worship Materials WHEREAS, The constituency that our congregations serve is made up of people of many ethnic and cultural backgrounds; and WHEREAS, The responsibility that the Lord has laid upon His church is to bring the Gospel to ALL nations; and WHEREAS, Culturally sensitive worship materials will enhance the proclamation of the Gospel in our country and the world; there- fore be it Resolved, That the Florida-Georgia District encourages the Commission on Worship to provide materials that are theologically sound, culturally sensitive, and relevant to the various constituen- cies that our congregations are called to serve. Florida-Georgia District 2-62 To Be Gender Sensitive in New Hymnal WHEREAS, In some contexts using the word men or man can be confusing as to whether the meaning is to be “males” or “humans”; and WHEREAS, Using the term men or man can lead to offending our sisters in the faith and the world at large unnecessarily when the word really means “mankind” or “humans”; and WHEREAS, The Bible says in Gal. 3:28—29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Chnist, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”; and WHEREAS, Both Christian Worship (WELS hymnal) and the Lutheran Book of Worship (ELCA hymnal) have shown a sensitiv- ity in their rendering of the Nicene Creed; therefore be it Resolved, That the Windom Circuit Forum of the Minnesota South District meeting on September 17, 2000, memorialize The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod meeting in convention in the year 2001 to instruct the new hymnal committee to be sensitive on using man or men when “humans” are meant. Windom Circuit Forum Minnesota South District 2001 Convention Workbook 2-63 To Provide Distinctively Lutheran Worship at National Youth Gatherings WHEREAS, The Southern Illinois District has, in the past, en- couraged its youth to support the synodical youth gatherings; and WHEREAS, Such gatherings are supposed to be designed to pro- vide the youth of our Synod with opportunities to rejoice in their identity with Jesus Christ as members of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the Southern I]linois District in convention ex- hort the Synod’s Board for Congregational Services not to engage in any questionable worship practices at any future national youth gatherings; and be it further Resolved, That the Southern Hlinois District in convention strongly encourage the Synod’s Board for Congregational Services to heed and model historical worship practices of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in worship at ail future national youth gatherings so that the youth of our Synod may indeed rejoice in their identity with Jesus Christ as members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it finally Resolved, That Souther Illinois District congregations be en- couraged to attend the New Orleans youth gathering July 28—Au- gust 1, 2001. Southern Illinois District 2-64 To Recognize AAT Bible Translation WHEREAS, The LCMS President has prepared a fine series of “What About” pamphlets, which have been distributed in our con- gregation; and WHEREAS, We commend Dr. Barry for these “What About” pamphlets; and WHEREAS, The “What About ... the Bible” pamphlet lists the Revised Standard Version of the National Council of Churches as a reliable translation; and Wrereas, Dr. William Beck in his “What Does the Text Say?” (The Holy Bible: An American Translation, pp. 341-44, third edi- tion) shows that the RSV undermines various doctrines of the Christian faith, including the virgin birth and the deity of Jesus Christ; and WHEREAS, Dr. Barry does not list the AAT as a reliable transla- tion; and WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House published Beck’s New Testament AAT in 1963 and was asked by an LCMS convention to publish Beck’s entire AAT; and WuerEAS, Some 25 confessional Lutheran scholars from Con- cordia Seminary, St. Louis; Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne; Wis- consin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon; Bethany Lutheran Seminary, Mankato, MN; and elsewhere helped prepare a revision of Beck’s New Testament AAT known as the New Evangelical Translation (NET), and WHEREAS, Christian News, New Haven, MO, in December 2000 published the fourth edition of Dr. Beck’s AAT; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2001 LCMS ask Dr. Barry to withdraw his statement in the “What About... the Bible” listing the RSV as a re- liable translation; and be it further Resolved, That the congregation ask Dr. Barry to include the AAT-NET in his list of reliable translations; and be it finally Resolved, That the LCMS convention ask Dr. Barry to recom- mend that the fourth edition of the AAT be sent to every LCMS church, pastor, and teacher. Trinity, New Haven, MO; Concordia, South Haven, MN; Redeemer, John Day, OR