# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S192
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

192

Theology and Church Relations

Resolved, That the Minnesota North District in convention memorialize the 2013 LCMS convention henceforth to use the term “closed
Communion” in all Synod publications.
Norman Nagel, “Closed Communion: In the Way of the Gospel;
In the Way of the Law,” Concordia Journal, 17:1 (January, 1991): pp
27–28.
2
Nagel, pp. 22, 24.
3
The deacons call “the doors, the doors” in the Liturgy of St. Basil
and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, (F. E. Brightman, Liturgies
Eastern and Western [London: Oxford, 1896] p. 321,3). In the Didascalia (ii 56 6, early third century) a deacon is responsible at the door for
those who come in (Apostolic Constitutions II 57 21; VIII 11 11), cited
by Nagel, p. 26.
1

Minnesota North District
4-59

To Reaffirm Standard for Admission to Lord’s
Supper and “Closed Communion”
as LCMS Practice
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has repeatedly
reaffirmed that to administer the Lord’s Supper in accord with Christ’s
institution is to do so admitting only properly instructed Lutherans
to Lutheran altars (1967 Res. 2-19; 1983 Res. 3-12; 1986 Res. 3-08;
1995 Res. 3-08; 1998 Res. 3-05); and
Whereas, The LCMS has affirmed that the standard for admission to the Lord’s Supper is full doctrinal agreement; and
Whereas, Admission to the Lord’s Table should not be limited
to agreement of a few selected doctrines or expanded by opening the
communion table to all baptized Christians; and
Whereas, Every congregation should have a Communion statement that clearly states the LCMS position and doctrine; and
Whereas, Pastors should practice oversight that reflects the
Synod’s concern for the spiritual well-being of those communing; and
Whereas, Our congregations should not be proclaiming a unity
in doctrine and practice where it does not exist; and
Whereas, “Closed Communion” flows out of our love for the
Word of God, a respect for our Lutheran Confessions as a correct
exposition of that Word, and our desire to prevent anyone from receiving the Holy Sacrament to their judgment (1 Cor. 11:29); and
Whereas, Our pastors have a biblical and confessional duty as
stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:2) who will give an account
for their stewardship (Heb. 13:17); therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Wyoming District in
convention memorialize the LCMS to reaffirm that the standard for
pastoral admission to the Lord’s Supper is full agreement in all articles of Christian doctrine; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS officially acknowledge the term “closed
Communion” as its Communion practice; and be it finally
Resolved, That this official teaching of “closed Communion” be
reflected in all Synod publications.
Wyoming District

2013 Convention Workbook

4-60

To Officially Acknowledge “Closed Communion”
as the Practice of the LCMS
Whereas, The term “closed Communion” is the term the church
has historically used to describe the confessional integrity of its communion practice; and
Whereas, Holy Scripture clearly warns against the unworthy
reception of the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:27); and
Whereas, Our LCMS pastors have promised, by way of their
ordination vows, to carry out their pastoral duties in accordance with
Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, particularly “that the
Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and
that the Sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine
Word” (AC VII 2, Tappert); and
Whereas, Our congregations, by virtue of their membership in
the LCMS, are confessionally bound to the same practice; and
Whereas, “Closed Communion” flows out of our love for the
Word of God and our Lutheran Confessions as a correct exposition
of that Word, as well as for those who may unwittingly receive the
Holy Sacrament to their judgment (1 Cor. 11:29); and
Whereas, Our pastors have biblical and confessional duty as
stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:2), who will give an
account for their stewardship (Heb. 13:17); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS officially acknowledge the term “closed
Communion” as its communion practice; and be it finally
Resolved, That this official acknowledgement henceforth be
reflected in all Synod publications.
Grace, Paris, Texas; Holy Cross, Albany, OR;
Wadena Circuit Forum, MN North District

4-61

To Clarify Synod’s Reaffirmation of Closed
Communion
Whereas, The LCMS in convention from 1967 through 1995 has
repeatedly reaffirmed its historic position of close(d) Communion;
and
Whereas, These resolutions state that in some “special cases”
and in “extraordinary circumstances,” a pastor may commune someone who is a member of a denomination not in fellowship with the
LCMS; and
Whereas, The current practice of many congregations publicly
inviting all baptized Christians who believe in the Real Presence and
who agree with our doctrine to commune regardless of their church
affiliation makes what we agree should be “special” and “extraordinary” to be “common” and “ordinary”; therefore be it
Resolved, That publicly inviting all baptized Christians who
believe in the Real Presence and agree with our doctrine even though
they are not members of a Missouri Synod congregation is contrary to
our official position of closed Communion and is to be discontinued.
Holy Cross
Albany, OR