# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S200 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 200 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS Resolved, That the 2001 convention of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod direct Dr. Barry to ask all former Seminex sup- porters on the 2001 clergy roster of the LCMS to withdraw their signatures from any former statement of support of Scminex and lo sign a statement affirming the inerrancy of the Bible and reject- ing evolution and the ordination of women as being contrary to Holy Scripture. Concordia Fair Haven, MN 3-131 To Encourage Formation of ‘Daughter’? Church Body WHEREAS, Since the earliest times in the Christian church, many situations have arisen where there has been unity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ even as there has been diversity in practices that have caused divisions in the church, including controversy over the cir- cumcision of Gentile Christians (Acts 15 and the Epistle to the Galatians) and the separation of Barnabas and Paul over missionary work in Cyprus (Acts 15); and WHEREAS, Similar situations of unity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ with diversity in practice have also caused divisions in the church among members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its predecessor entity, including the earliest debates on church polity, later debates on the place of synodical resolutions in the doctrinal life of the Synod. more recent controversies at the St. Louis seminary, and current division over perceived legalism and uncharacteristic control by synodical leadership; and WHEREAS, The current environment of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod seems again to be on a course of unhealthy divi- sion and rancor over practices related to the role of women in the church, worship styles, and Communion that belie our identity and definition as a “synod” (walking together) and overlook our cher- ished heritage set forth in Art. VIL of our Constitution and further defined by Bylaw 2.39 b; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod gath- ered in convention in 2001 acknowledge that among our members there is unity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the view of Scrip- ture as the inspired, inerrant Word of God, while there is diversity in biblical interpretation and in congregational practices, especially with regard to the role of women in the church, worship styles, and Communion: and be it further Resolved, That, to avoid the unhealthy rancor and animosity that can so easily entangle the church and keep it from its primary mis- sion of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a hurting, sinful world, the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod give careful study to our historical principles embodied in Art. VIL and Bylaw 2.39 b and recognize that we are a denomina- tion that shares the unity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and views Scripture as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and so encourages (1) exegetical debate in biblical interpretation and (2) congrega- tional autonomy in accordance with the constitutional provisions identified above; and be it further Resolved, That this study include consideration of processes whereby members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who do not desire or elect to act in accordance with these historical un- derstandings of the freedom encouraged within our unity but in- stead value uniformity in practice, be offered the opportunity to join in the birthing of a daughter Lutheran church body that main- tains fellowship with the historic Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and allows workers to maintain their status with the worker benefit programs of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it finally Resolved, That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod submit the results of this study to the District congregations by September |, 2002. for study and possi- ble implementation by their members. Trinity Hudson, WI 2001 Convention Workbook 3-132 To Encourage Private Confession and Absolution WHEREAS, The Lord has given to His church the gift of Holy Absolution to be administered for the benefit and comfort of terri- fied consciences: and WHEREAS, The Christian church has had a long historical prac- tice of encouraging her members to avail themselves of the practice of private confession and Absolution; and WHEREAS, The Reformers never intended that such practice should fall into disuse; and WHEREAS, The founding fathers of the LCMS encouraged her pastors to gently and evangelically teach and Jead their congrega- tional members to avail themselves of private confession and Ab- solution and restore this ancient rite; and WHEREAS, Our Small Catechism and other confessional writ- ings, as well as our Lutheran hymnals, encourage the practice of private confession and Absolution; therefore be it Resolved, That we encourage our District congregations and pastors to engage in a scriptural, confessional, and historical study of the benefits and blessings private confession and Absolution; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage pastors in the District to make known to their members that private confession and Absolution are available by appointment or at set times: and be it finally Resolved, That the Minnesota North District submit this reso- lution to the 2001 synodical convention. Minnesota North District 3-133 To Assist in Recovery of Private Confession and Absolution Wuereas, Private confession and absolution is regarded highly by our Lutheran Confessions and prized highly by Luther; and Wuereas, Although there were errors in its practice in the Mid- dle Ages, they were alleviated by the Lutheran reformers: and WHEREAS, Private confession and absolution has many salutary benefits and is based upon the office of the keys; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the use of private confession and absolution to the pastors and congregations of the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That the biblical, historical, and confessional witness to private confession and holy absolution be studied by professional church workers and congregations with a view toward its recovery in the parishes of the Synod; and be it finally Resolved, That the Commission on Worship and the seminaries of the Synod be directed to produce educational materials, articles, seminars, and workshops to assist in the recovery of this gift among us in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Circuit 2 Forum Ohio District 3-134 To Encourage Baptism of Infants at Earliest Opportunity WHEREAS, Our Lord has commanded Holy Baptism and promises in this means of grace forgiveness, life, and salvation: and WHEREAS, We all are conceived and born sinful and so are in need of forgiveness (Ps. 51:5, Eph. 2:3: Rite of Holy Baptism, Lutheran Worship. p. 199); and WIIEREAS, There is a tendency among some of our families to delay the baptism of their infants; therefore be it Resolved, Thal our pastors continue to encourage families to have their infants baptized as soon as possible: and be it further