# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S142 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 142 DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES WHEREAS, The Commission on Worship after nine years has en- abled no such process; therefore be it Resolved, That the Commission on Worship enable such a process no later than June 2008. Trinity Austin, TX 2-10 To Establish Process for Doctrinal Review of Contemporary Music WHEREAS, Contemporary worship and music styles have been variously developed in the LCMS; and Wuereas, No process for open doctrinal review has been es- tablished by the LCMS for music used in contemporary worship; and Wuereas, While the Commission on Worship requested the submission of music for consideration in the printed version of the Lutheran Service Book but has promised only to publish contem- porary music in the electronic version of the hymnal; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Worship is working hard on providing excellent traditional worship materials for use in the LCMS and seems unable to complete this task of doctrinal certifi- cation; and WHEREAS, Pastors and congregations can use the guidance and direction of the LCMS when considering the use of contemporary worship music in the Divine Service; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention establish a task force for doctrinal certification of music used in contemporary wor- ship: and be it further Resolved, That members of this task force be appointed by the Council of Presidents to assure national representation. This task force shall consist of three members of the Commission on Wor- ship, three professors from the Concordia University System spe- cializing in music and worship, and five pastors and five commis- sioned music ministers of congregations using contemporary worship styles on a weekly basis; and be it further Resolved, That this task force be charged with establishing within one year a process through which music used in contempo- rary worship can undergo doctrinal review; and be it further Resolved, That congregations submit music that they propose to be certified as doctrinally sound; and be it finally Resolved, That for music that does not pass this doctrinal re- view, Clear and distinct reasons for denial be published with cor- rective suggestions for congregational review. Trinity Roselle, IL 2-11 To Establish Task Force to Provide Review Process for Music Used in Nontraditional Worship WHEREAS, A wide variety of worship and music styles have and continue to be developed and used in the LCMS; and WHEREAS, There is not a process for doctrinal review for non- hymnal worship that is used by LCMS for congregations; and WuerEAs, The Commission on Worship has promised only to publish contemporary music in the electronic version of the new hymnal, but seems unable to complete this task of doctrinal certifi- cation of these materials; and WHEREAS, Pastors and congregations can benefit from the guid- ance and direction of the LCMS when considering the use of non- traditional forms of worship in the Divine Service; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2007 convention of the LCMS establish a Task Force for Doctrinal Certification of music used in nontradi- tional forms of worship; and be it further Resolved, That including a combination of professionals using nontraditional forms of worship this task force be appointed by the Council of Presidents to assure wide representation; and be it fi- nally Resolved, That this task force establish a process through which music used in nontraditional worship will be doctrinally examined and approved at the local congregation level, to ensure that every aspect of worship brings honor and glory to God. Lord of Life Leawood, KS 2-12 To Study and Encourage Private Confession and Absolution WHEREAS, The opportunity to use private confession and abso- lution was a reality and practice cherished strongly by Luther and Walther and other prominent Lutheran fathers; and WHEREAS, Private confession and absolution is set forth clearly in a manner which clearly distinguishes Law and Gospel rightly in our Lutheran Confessions as well as the Synod’s explanation to the Small Catechism; and : Wuereas, The Lutheran Confessions say that it would be impi- ous for the free evangelical use of private confession and absolu- tion to fall into disuse (AC XXV; Ap XII; “Brief Exhortation to Confession,” LC; see also the SA); and WHEREAS, The basis for private confession and absolution is in the Office of the Keys (John 20:19-23; Matthew 18:15-20; Luke 10:16) and in scriptural teaching regarding repentance and con- fessing one’s sins (Psalms 32, 51; 2 Sam. 11-12; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2; James 5:16; 1 John 1:8, 9; Prov. 28:13); and WHEREAS, A pastor solemnly pledges in his ordination vows not to divulge sins committed confessed to him in this rite of private confession and absolution (the seal of confession; Prov. 11:13; 1 Cor. 4:1-2); and WHEREAS, The new hymnal of the LCMS, Lutheran Service Book, offers rites and resources for the use of private confession and absolution for pastoral care; and WHEREAS, Private confession and absolution is a primary means of classical pastoral care distinct from psychological counseling or Communion announcing and is held by the Apology of the Augs- burg Confession, Art. XIII as a Sacrament (Ap XIII 4); therefore be it Resolved, That the Minnesota North District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention encourage its pastors and congregations to study the scriptural, confessional, and historical witness to private confession and absolution with a view toward recovering the regular availability of private confession and abso- lution in the congregations of the district; and be it further Resolved, That the Minnesota North District in convention re- quest that both seminaries provide additional guidance in carrying out this overture through articles in the seminary journals and in presentations to pastors’ conferences; and be it further Resolved, That since pastors and their families also need pas- toral care, that parish pastors of the Minnesota North District be encouraged to obtain fellow LCMS pastors to hear their confes- sions and absolve them, without ecclesiastical supervision role con- flict; and be it finally Resolved, That the Minnesota North District in convention sub- mit this as an overture to the Synod in its next convention to en- courage and adopt the same synodwide. Minnesota North District 2-13 To Extend Service of Hispanic Ministry Task Force WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of the United States contin- ues to increase, now numbering 44.7 million Hispanics in the