# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S161
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

LIFE TOGETHER
of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our
common profession of faith”; and
Whereas, Lutheran Service Book and other approved hymnbooks
and resources are wonderful resources; and
Whereas, Appropriate diverse worship resources are available
and being used under pastoral supervision in the congregations and
schools of the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That thanks be given for the doctrinally pure resources
received and used under both Art. VI 4 and Art. III 7 of the LCMS by
its member congregations and workers; and be it further
Resolved, That efforts continue in the development of every
appropriate and approved resource for the upbuilding of the local
congregations in their life together.
St. Peters
Brooklyn, NY
3-40

To Encourage Faithful Use of Creative Worship
Aids
Whereas, Art. III of the Constitution of the LCMS encourages
congregations to strive for uniformity in church practice, but also to
develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our common profession of faith; and
Whereas, Some within the Synod have attempted to emphasize
uniformity in practices, while completely ignoring and even opposing the development of an appreciation of a variety of responsible
practices and customs which are in harmony with our common profession of faith; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention encourage congregations
to continue to strive for uniformity in church practice but also to make
intentional efforts to develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our common
profession of faith; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Worship continue the work of the former
Commission on Worship in response to 2007 Synod convention Res.
2-02A, “To Provide Guidance and Direction for Use of Diverse/
Contemporary Worship Resources,” by evaluating contemporary (current) songs and providing for the Synod a list of appropriate songs for
worship (see http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=524 for the publication “Song Evaluation Results Chart”); and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention encourage those involved
in responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our
common profession of faith to continue those practices and customs
and to share them with the entire Synod as the Synod seeks to fulfill
its covenants as contained in Art. III.
Trinity
Roselle, Illinois
3-41

To Encourage More Diversity in Worship Forms
and Hymnals
Whereas, A great diversity of worship practices in our Synod can
assist the Synod in reaching the lost; and
Whereas, Art. III of the Synod’s Constitution indicates that the
Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, shall develop
an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs

161

which are in harmony with our common profession of faith; therefore be it
Resolved, That the pastors, church musicians, and congregations
of the Synod encourage diversity in worship forms and hymnals
which can assist in reaching lost people by developing an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in
harmony with our common profession of faith.
Trinity
Roselle, IL
3-42

To Express Thanks to Office of National Mission
and President’s Office Staff
Whereas, The 2010 LCMS convention resolved to realign the
national Synod ministries around two mission boards (Res. 8-08A);
and
Whereas, This mandate required extensive across-the-board
changes which included the elimination of existing program boards
and some staffed commissions; and
Whereas, This resolution involved making hard and painful decisions that affected the lives of many faithful servants in the church;
therefore be it
Resolved, That sincere thanks be given to the Office of the
President and the Office of National Mission Staff for all their work
and efforts in implementing the resolution to restructure the Synod to
make our work together more efficient and effective in accomplishing
our mission “vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word
and deed within our churches, communities, and world” (Mission
Statement of the Synod) without interruption; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod continue
to pray for God’s guidance and blessings on the Office of the President
and the Office of National Mission that, per policies developed by
the Board for National Mission, the church’s witness, acts of mercy,
and life together may glorify our risen Lord and benefit the people
gathered around Word and Sacrament in the congregations of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Board for National Mission
3-43

To Address Responsible Internet Use
in Congregations
Whereas, We believe, teach, and confess that we are redeemed
by the grace of Jesus Christ and are called to newness of life in Christ;
and
Whereas, Statistics on Internet pornography and other ungodly
usage indicate that such abuse is rampant in our culture (2008
Ambassadors of Reconciliation Bible Study: “Responding to Sexual
Temptation in a High Tech Society,” Billings, MT); and
Whereas, Christians and church workers are susceptible to temptations (i.e., pornography, gambling, etc.) accessible via the Internet
and technological media; and
Whereas, St. Paul encourages the believers with these words in
Ephesians 5:3–4: “But among you there must not be even a hint of
sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because
these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather
thanksgiving”; and

2013 Convention Workbook