LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 143

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 143

cision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church—Synod of
France and Belgium to reestablish full church fellowship
once again with our Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod express to EELSFB sincere
thanks for the faithful and fraternal concern it manifested
by its confessional protest, and also deep regret for the
painful situation which led to the same; and be it further

Resolved, That in response to this decision of our sister
church to end the state of protest, the Synod reaffirm altar
and pulpit fellowship with the EELSFB; and be it finally

Resolved, That we ask our gracious Lord to bless the
bond our churches have together as Christians deeply com-
mitted to the pure Gospel as it is revealed in the Holy
Scriptures and taught in the Lutheran Confessions.

Action: Adopted (7).

To Study the Nature and
Implications of the Call

RESOLUTION 3-07
Overtures 3-56A-60 (CW, pp. 125-26)

Wuereas, The nature and implications of the call have
many practical applications in the life of the church; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations in its report on “The Ministry: Offices, Proce-
dures, and Nomenclature” has addressed many of these
issues; and

Wuereas, In response to the need for guidance with
respect to the application of the theology of the call, the
Council of Presidents is presently engaged in a compre-
hensive study of these matters; and

Wuereas, Various groups such as the Committee on
Concerns for the Church and Its Workers, the CTCR, and
the Board for Parish Services are also studying aspects of
the call; and

Wuereas, Confusion may result from multiple studies
prepared without coordination; therefore be it

Resolved, That those groups currently studying these
issues be commended for their efforts and be encouraged
to continue and complete their studies; and be it further

Resolved, That these groups communicate to the CTCR
the results of their studies; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR prepare a report coordinating
the results of these studies for distribution throughout the
church; and be it finally

Resolved, That the CTCR submit its report to the 1989
convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Action: Adopted (7).

To Maintain Practice
of Close Communion

RESOLUTION 3-08
Overture 3-76 (CW, pp. 128-29)

Wuereas, The Scriptures require both a knowledge of
the Lord’s Supper sufficient for its proper reception and a
contrite heart which trusts Jesus’ Word; and

Wuereas, Fellowship at the Lord’s Table is an act of
confession of faith; and

Wuenreas, The admission to Holy Communion without
a regard for confession of faith is neither faithful to God’s
Word nor an act of love; and

Wuereas, The practice of close communion was fol-
lowed by the early church and the Lutheran Reformers;
and

Wuereas, The practice of close communion seeks to pre-
vent both harmful reception of the Sacrament as well as
a profession of unity in confession in faith where this unity
does not exist; and

Wuereas, Great diversity in the practice of the Lord’s
Supper exists in Christendom today; and

Wuereas, It is desirable that uniform practice which is
in harmony with the theology of the Lord’s Supper be fol-
lowed in the Synod; and

Wuereas, The Synod has long encouraged its congre-
gations and pastors in extraordinary circumstances to pro-
vide “responsible pastoral care, including the
administration of Holy Communion to Christians who are
members of denominations not in fellowship with the
LCMS” (1981 Res. 3-01); and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations report “Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Sup-
per” was commended for “broad and comprehensive” study
in the Synod by the 1983 synodical convention (Res. 3-12);
therefore be it

Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of The
Lutheran Church—-Missouri Synod continue to abide by
the practice of close communion, which includes the ne-
cessity of exercising responsible pastoral care in extraor-
dinary situations and circumstances; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention commend the CTCR’s re-
port “Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper” to the
pastors and congregations of the Synod for continued ref-
erence and guidance.

Action: Adopted (7).