LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 90

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30 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

3. Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper

At its February 1983 meeting the commission adopted its
Communion Practices Report and at the time of this report has
made arrangements for its distribution in the Synod. During
the past biennium the commission has given high pnority to
this assignment in response to the request of the 1977 con-
vention of the Synod that the CTCR, after consultation with
the Commission on Worship, “complete the Communion Prac-
tices Report as soon as possible, giving special attention to the
matters of Communion practices on synodical campuses and
open and close Communion’ (Res. 3-12, “To Encourage CTCR
to Complete Its Report on Communion Practices”). In keeping
with this request the commission, after its November 1982
meeting, shared a preliminary draft with the Commission on
Worship and invited its reactions and suggestions. The CTCR
is grateful for the time the Commission on Worship devoted to
the discussion of the draft and for its helpful comments.

In completing this report the commission took special note
of requests from the Minnesota South and Missouri District
conventions, which asked that the Communion Practices
Report be completed prior to the 1983 convention of the Synod
and that guidance on the question of Communion at con-
ventions, conferences, and other gatherings be included in the
study.

The commission commends this report to the Synod in the
hope that it will assist pastors and congregations in their study
of the Biblical and confessional rationale for a number of
practical questions that confront them in their ministry of
pastoral care, including especially such matters as the historic
practice of “close” Communion followed by the Synod (cf. 1967
Res. 2-19: 1977 Res. 3-12) and extracongregational Communion
services. The report is included in Appendix III of this Work-
book.

4. Theses on Justification

The 1981 convention of the Synod, expressing the current
need to study anew what the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions teach concerning the doctrine of justification,
asked “the Commission on Theology and Church Relations,
the joint faculties of the seminaries, and the Council of
Presidents to make a study of the doctrine of justification
within one year, which gives proper expression to all the
aspects of what the Scriptures teach on this matter, ‘and “that
this study be shared with the Synod” (1981 Res. 3-12, “To Make
a Study on the Doctrine of Justification”). Shortly after taking
office the President of the Synod requested that the CTCR
assume responsibility for coordinating this study.

At its first plenary meeting in November 1981 the CTCR
proceeded with this assignment and at its February 1982
session made arrangements for the development of a set of
theses on justification. On the completion of a preliminary
draft, the CTCR distributed these theses to the Council of
Presidents and seminary faculties in July 1982 for discussion
and response prior to the September 1982 meeting of the CTCR.
In order to provide additional opportunity for the District
Presidents and faculty members to react to the theses as they
continued to carry out their studies in this area, the commission
distributed a revised draft following its November 1982 meet-
ing for further suggestions prior to the document's final adop-
tion at the February 1983 meeting of the CTCR.

At the time of this report the commission is in the process of
printing the “Theses on Justification” for distribution to the
pastors, teachers. and congregations of the Synod. The
“Theses” are included in this Workbook in Appendix III.

B. Studies in Progress
1. Divorce and Remarriage

In September 1974 the commission placed on its agenda a
Scriptural study of divorce and remarriage in response to a
request from one of the Vice-Presidents of the Synod. ‘The
commission has given this subject a preliminary treatment in
its September 1981 report on ‘“‘Human Sexuality.” However,
the commission intends in the coming months to complete a
more detailed exegetical study of this issue to provide guidance
for congregations, pastors, and others as they deal with
problems in this difficult area.

2. Abortion

Since the Jan. 22, 1973, decision of the Supreme Court in Roe
u. Wade legalizing abortion on demand and even prior to that
action, the Synod has repeatedly registered its strong oppo-
sition to this great and unabated evil which has permeated our
society (1971 Res. 2-39; 1977 Res. 3-08C; 1979 Res. 3-02A). More
recently at its 1981 convention the Synod adopted Resolution
3.02 (“To Implement Pro-Life Programs”) requesting that at
every level materials be developed and activities planned to
protest against abortion on demand and to witness to the
sanctity of all human life. The commission commends the
members of the Synod for their continued concern during the
past decade and strongly urges that they intensify their efforts
to support the prolife cause in every way possible.

In the interest of providing the members of the Synod with
updated information and further guidance in this area, the
CTCR has asked its Social Concerns Committee to prepare a
new report on abortion. Since the publication of its 1971 report
on ‘Abortion: Theological, Legal, and Medical Aspects,” the
commission through its Social Concerns Committee has been
monitoring legal and medical developments regarding life
issues. The commission hopes that this report can be completed
in the very near future.

The commission calls special attention to the last resolved
of 1981 Res. 3-02 in which the Synod encouraged “all of
Lutheranism to develop a common voice in opposition to
abortion on demand and to supporta pro-lifeamendment to the
United States Constitution.” It is the commission’s prayer that
other Christian churches that have not taken a Strong stand on
this issue may do so soon, to the end that Christians every-
where may speak with united voice concerning this national
tragedy.

3. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships

The 1981 convention of the Synod adopted a resolution
requesting the CTCR to prepare practical guidelines to assist
the officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individuals
in the Synod in determining which practices and activities are
appropriate to the various levels of inter-Lutheran and inter-
Christian relationships in which the Synod is involved (1981
Res, 3-03A). President Bohlmann, in a September 1982 paper to
the Council of Presidents. discussed the contemporary factors
which make necessary the preparation of inter-Christian
guidelines, and he called upon the commission to include
widespread participation in the preparation of these guide-
lines.

The commission, in response to this assignment, has
developed a proposal for the preparation of Guidelines for
Inter-Christian Relationships, involving widespread partici-
pation throughout the Synod over a two-year period, which itis
sharing with the Council of Presidents, Council of Adminis-
trators, and other leaders in the church for review and refine-
ment. The commission hopes that this process can begin in the
fall of 1983.

4. Theology of Evangelism and the Doctrine of Conversion

In recent vears the commission has received inquiries
regarding the theological aspects of various evangelism.
church growth, and spiritual renewal programs (Kennedy,
Fuller, Gothard, Billy Graham, Campus Crusade, Cursillo,
etc.). In response to concerns raised in these requests, in 1975
the commission initiated a study of the theology of evangelism
with special reference to the doctrine of conversion. In May
1977 the commission received a request from the English
District to examine the theological presuppositions of the
Fuller Church Growth program, and in February 1983 the
commission decided to address also the theology of healing in
connection with this assignment.

The commission has assigned this study to one of its
standing committees, which is presently continuing its pre-
liminary work on this assignment.

5. Theology of Social Ministry

The CTCR and its Social Concerns Committee received a
request in September 1982 from the executive secretary of the
Board for Social Ministry Services to prepare a study on “The
Theology of Social Ministry” which will formulate the theo-