# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2026_S261
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

261

Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper
WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession describes the administration of the
Lord’s Supper in the context of a physically gathered assembly (Augsburg Confession [AC] VII 1; XXIV 36–39); and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the sys-

APPENDIX C

tematic theology departments of both seminaries issued opinions that unequivocally and unanimously argued against the practice of online or virtual Communion

To Affirm In-Person Communion
RESOLUTION 5-08A61

and affirmed the administration of Holy Communion in person by the pastor; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions (Formula of Concord [FC] Solid Declaration [SD] VII) indicate that the proper use of the Sacrament includes a unified
consecration, distribution, and reception, none of which are to be severed from

Overtures 5-11–20 (CW, 293–300)

the other:

WHEREAS, In the wake of the pandemic, congregations throughout the

However, this blessing, or the recitation of the words of
Christ’s institution alone, does not make a Sacrament if the
entire action of the Lord’s Supper, as it was instituted by
Christ, is not kept. (For example, it is not kept when the consecrated bread is not distributed, received, and partaken of,
but is enclosed, sacrificed, or carried about.) Christ’s command “This do” must be observed unseparated and inviolate.
(This embraces the entire action or administration in this
Sacrament. In an assembly of Christians, bread and wine are
taken, consecrated, distributed, received, eaten, drunk, and
the Lord’s death is shown forth at the same time.) St. Paul
also places before our eyes this entire action of the breaking
of bread or of distribution and reception (1 Cor. 10:16).

Synod sought to provide spiritual care to their congregations when public health
measures prohibited gathering for corporate worship services; and
WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus, with words and actions spoken and carried out by
Him in the direct and physical presence of His disciples, instituted Holy Communion as a communal meal through which His body and blood are distributed under
the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Matt. 26:26–28);
and
WHEREAS, In speaking of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Scripture does not endorse a spiritual or virtual fellowship, but rather a physical, communal gathering
as the apostle Paul describes when he writes to the church in Corinth, “So then,
my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is
hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for
your judgment” (1 Cor. 11:33–34a); and
WHEREAS, The Epistle to the Hebrews states, “And let us consider how to

yet the practice of online or virtual Communion would interject a spatial, tem-

stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is

poral, and technological gap between the consecration and the distribution and

the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the

reception; and

Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24–25); and

WHEREAS, The pastoral office is responsible for oversight of the administration of the Sacrament in accordance with the keys conferred upon the pastor by

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virtue of his call (AC XIV; Walther’s Theses on the Ministry V and VII); and

2023 Convention Proceedings, 152–53.

45
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

46
Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper

WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar has been established by our Lord ac-

congregations who continue to practice online Communion after due fraternal

cording to His Words of Institution, commanding literally “This keep on doing”

admonition be subject to appropriate ecclesiastical supervision; and be it further

(Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24–25), which indicates that this use of the Sacrament should

Resolved, That the Synod in convention clearly and unequivocally reject and

be kept according to His institution, and that “nothing is a sacrament without the

condemn the practice of virtual (online) Communion; and be it finally

appointed use” as set forth by those same Words of Institution (FC SD VII 73) and

Resolved, That those who are hindered for a time from bodily participation

these texts (and all related) require serious study by the church; and

in Holy Communion be encouraged to content themselves with the power of

WHEREAS, No theological justification for the novel practice of online or vir-

the Word, remembrance of their Baptism, and the exercise of faith in the Lord

tual Communion has existed within the Synod or in the Lutheran tradition nor has

Jesus Christ.

been advanced in the circles advocating for it on the basis of the principally rele-

Action: Adopted (8)

vant texts (sedes doctrinae) of Holy Scripture or of the Lutheran Confessions; and

It was moved but failed to strike the final resolve. Upon closure of debate, as suggest-

WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized the need for collegial de-

ed by the chair, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 842; No: 140]. Pacific Southwest District

bate, collaborative decision-making, and consensus-building, enshrining “[t]he

President Michael Gibson addressed the convention, requesting patience for district presi-

example of the apostolic church (Acts 15:1–31)” in the Preamble of its Constitution

dents as they continue to work with perhaps a dozen churches remaining in the practice of

and by adopting a process whereby those principles may be observed with respect

online communion.

to the adoption of doctrinal statements in Bylaw 1.6.2 (b); and
WHEREAS, The practice of online Communion has created confusion and
concern whether such observance of Holy Communion is pleasing to God and in
accordance with His Word; and
WHEREAS, The uniformity in practice from the foundation of the Synod has
long been considered desirable (1847 Constitution Articles I 3, II 4, IV 5, V 14) and
remains an endeavor toward which congregations are encouraged to strive (Const.
Art. II 7); therefore be it
Resolved, That we commend the desires of faithful pastors to care for their
flocks in a time of pandemic, granting charity and latitude to our brothers in the
office due to the emergency nature of the situation confronting us all; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Synod’s district presidents and those who assist them be
counseled and urged to instruct our pastors and congregations on the basis of Holy
Scripture’s exhortation to gather in person to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and on
the basis of the examples of the Augsburg Confession Articles VII and XXIV, to
refrain from the practice of online Communion, ensuring that those pastors and

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2026 Convention Workbook