# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S70 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 70 SYNODICAL REPORTS tering an “Information desk” to continue to provide information and guidance on societies, lodges, cults, and religious organiza- tions, and that a three-member “advisory panel” be appointed to provide resources in this area. Appointed to this advisory pane} were: Rev. Larry Nichols, Dr. Victor Raj, and Rev. Eldon Winker. I. Theology A. Assignments Completed 1. Theology and Practice of “the Divine Call” In 1992, the Synod requested that the CTCR, “in consultation with the Council of Presidents and representatives of the Synod’s terminal schools,” prepare a single document that answers questions and con- cerns regarding “the theology and practice of ‘the divine call,’ utilizing the writings of C. F.W. Walther (i.e., his book Church and Ministry and essay ‘The Congregation’s Right to Choose Its Pastor’).” The Synod specifically asked the Commission to address the practices— together with their theological foundations—for the placing of indi- viduals into, or removing them from, their office or location of ser- vice. The Synod mentioned issues such as the “initial placement of candidates, dismissal from office, retirement, the appropriateness of the term divine cail for those serving in elected and appointed offices, etc.” At its February 2003 meeting, the Commission, after it had shared with the COP a draft of its report and had discussed it with the Coun- cil in a joint meeting, adopted Theology and Practice of “the Divine Call” for distribution to the members of the Synod—pending the pos- sible reception and inclusion of minority opinions at the April 2003 meeting. At the April meeting a minority opinion signed by Dr. Kurt Marquart and Pastor Walter Lehenbauer, and another by Mr. Paul Nus were received. Theology and Practice of “the Divine Call” and the minority opinions are included in Appendix II in the Convention Work- book. They are also available online at www.Icms.org/ctcr/. 2. Guidelines for Participation in Civic Events In its report to the 2001 convention the CTCR included “The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship [2000}: A Report on Synodical Discussions” (see 2001 Workbook, 48-51) prepared by the Commission and the President of the Synod. In this report on Synodical discussions, the Commission and the President provided guidance regarding ‘Cases of Discretion,” including participation in “civic events.” Following the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon, and ensuing events, President Kieschnick reported to the Commission that guidelines regarding participation in “civic events” were needed. At the Commission’s November 2001 meeting, the Presi- dent asked the Commission to take up the topic, answering three questions: (1) What constitutes a “civic event”? (2) What are the implications of the two kingdoms doctrine for participation in civic events? (3) What guidelines can be given to those who determine that it is possible to participate in such events? The Commission completed a draft of this report at its December 2003 meeting and forwarded it to the Council of Presidents for input. At its February 2004 meeting the Commission continued work on its draft, taking into account input received from the COP, and asked that this re- vised draft-in-process be shared with the members of the Council for their further response as the Commission prepares for its April 19-21, 2004, meeting—at which time the Commission intends to adopt its report in keeping with its assignment to present it to the 2004 convention. 3. Women in Combat At its November 2001 meeting the Commission placed on its agenda a request from President Kieschnick to study issues sur- rounding the drafting of women to serve in the military, and specif- ically in combat. Upon the recommendation of the standing com- mittee working on this assignment, the Commission arranged for the publication of two articles in The Lutheran Witness (May 2003, 2004 Convention Workbook pp. 16-20) by Dr. Leroy Vogel and Rev. David Wollenburg pre- senting contrasting perspectives on this issue. 4. Cloning In 1998 Res. 3-15B “To Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations Study Document on Issues Raised by Cloning,” the Synod asked the Commission to prepare “‘a study document to help the church, on the basis of the Word of God, make informed judgments concerning cloning and attendant issues.” At its April 2002 meeting the Commission adopted for distribution to the con- gregations, pastors, and other rostered workers of the Synod a re- port titled What Child Is This? Marriage, Family and Human Cloning. The report is included in Appendix II of the Workbook and is available online at www.Icms.org/ctcr/. In response to a re- quest from the Hispanic Institute of Theology, the Commission has requested in turn that the Institute prepare a Spanish translation of What Child Is This? 5. Review of “That They May Be One” In June 2002, the Council of Presidents forwarded to the Com- mission a request adopted at its April 23, 2002, meeting that the CTCR study the document “That They May Be One,” and make an evaluation as to whether or not the document “adequately and correctly gives expression to the doctrinal position of the Synod.” The Council informed the Commission that the authors and dis- tributors of the document had requested from the Council an ex- amination of it. The Council in turn informed them that such an ex- amination more properly belonged to the CTCR. At its February 2004 meeting the Commission adopted its review of “That They May Be One.” This review was forwarded to the Council of Presi- dents. (Notice has been served that a proposed minority opinion has been submitted to the Commission for review.) The Commis- sion’s review is available online at www.lcms.org/ctcr/ and is in- cluded in Appendix II of the Workbook. 6. Review of For the Sake of Christ’s Commission In a memo dated June 19, 2002, the President of the Synod re- quested the CTCR to “review the document titled For the Sake of Christ’s Commission, a report of the Church Growth Study Com- mittee, study the document thoroughly, and report its conclusions to me and to the church no later than the 2004 Synodical Conven- tion.” At its December 2003 meeting the Commission adopted its review of this document for submission to the President. (Notice has been served that a proposed minority opinion has been submitted to the Commission for review.) The review is included in Appendix II of the Workbook and is available online at www.Icms.org/ctcr/. 7. Question Regarding the Identity of Michael the Archangel of Revelation 12 The President of the South Wisconsin District, in October 2002, requested from the Commission “‘a reaction, as well as biblical and confessional insight and response” to questions being raised by pas- tors in his District regarding the identity of “Michael the Archangel of Revelation 12.” Upon the recommendation of the CTCR stand- ing committee given responsibility for this assignment, and with . the approval of the SW District President, the Commission at its September 2003 meeting removed this item from its agenda on the grounds that pertinent resources already address this question. 8. Referral of 2001 Overture 3-136 on Privileged Communication The 2001 convention referred Overture 3-136 “To Expand Guidelines re Pastoral Care Privileged Communication” to the CTCR. The overture requested that the CTCR “clarify the respon- sibilities of District officials in handling the confidential/privileged information of professional church workers.” At its September 2002 meeting the Commission adopted the following statement in