LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 49

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 49

and the Synod; and the instances of inter-Christian wor-
ship activities that appear to be in violation of our Synod’s
stated policies and how the congregations or pastors are
being addressed about such instances. In all such cases, I
am pleased to report that our synodical and District su-
pervisors of doctrine are committed to following fraternal,
evangelical, and patient approaches. Contrary to impres-
sions circulated in various parts of the Synod, there isla
healthy practice of doctrinal discipline among us, and the
number of cases requiring attention has either improved
or remained relatively constant for several years. It is clear
that two areas in particular, namely women’s service in
the church and Communion practices, need further atten-
tion and study because of the disagreements apparent
among us, and for that reason the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations, as well as the Council of Presidents,
has devoted considerable time and attention to such
matters. ‘

Because misleading reports continue to circulate in the
Synod, implying that our synodical and District officers do
not exercise doctrinal discipline effectively, it should be
understood that this ‘is not only untrue and unjust, but
often appears to reflect a misunderstanding of the nature
and purpose of doctrinal discipline within the church as
set forth by the Word of God. It should also be underscored
that in every meeting of the Council of Presidents, a sub-
stantial portion of time is devoted to considering and coun-
seling one another on specific cases. To help all of us in
the ministry of supervision focus on the biblical directives
for this important activity, I led the council in a discussion
of “The Discipline of Restoration.” Attached as Appendix
A is a copy of “A Fraternal Plea,” which I originally pre-
sented to the council in November 1988, but again dig-
cussed with the council in the first meeting following the
installation of new District Presidents in September 1991.
The emphases of this statement continue to be reflected

- in the disciplinary ministry of the leadership of the Synod.

Doctrinal Review

The President’s office is responsible for supervising a
process by which all materials issued by our official syn-
odical entities are reviewed to make sure they are faithful
to the Synod’s doctrinal position. At the present time, ap-
proximately 100 persons serve as doctrinal reviewers. Sev-
eral portions of the program are administered through the
office of the president of Concordia Publishing House, and
other dimensions of it are administered directly by my
office staff. In cases of disagreement or concern about the
doctrinal content of published material, the Commission
on Doctrinal Review provides for further review.

Considering the thousands of pages reviewed évery
year, we have had very few complaints or criticisms during
the past triennium. However, in a few instances, published
materials were challenged and handled by the Commission
on Doctrinal Review as provided in the synodical Bylawel
The vigilance exerted by our church body in this effort is
very unusual among major church bodies today, but it pro:
vides an invaluable assistance to the many writers and
editors of our church body in making as sure as we can
that the materials utilized by our members are indeed
faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions!

Communication

One of the major tasks of the President’s office is to
communicate with the members of the Synod about many
items of interest and concern. I have continued to provide
a monthly article for the Lutheran Witness, intended pri-
marily for the laity of the Synod. On an occasional basis,
I send a Letter to Pastors to all of the Synod’s clergy. In
addition to such written publications, I have addressed a
number of special conferences and meetings throughout
the church, several of them on pastoral and theological
issues, and others on the directions and goals of the Synod.
From time to time I have also prepared videotaped mes-
sages to congregations or Circuits when it was impossible
for me to be present personally. Hundreds of pieces of cor-
respondence are also handled by the office‘every week, with
the goal of responding to every letter in the most personal
way possible.

Convinced that communication is a two-way street,
Vice-President Mennicke and I attempt to spend as much
time as possible in personal visits throughout the Synod
in order to listen to the boards, staffs, Districts, Circuits,
conferences, and congregations of the Synod. From these
contacts, both of us are convinced that the overwhelming
majority of congregations, pastors and teachers, and lay
members of the Synod are strongly committed to the
confession and mission of our church body and are eager
to get on with the task of the church.

Government Contacts

T have continued to represent the Synod in a number
of contacts with national governmental leaders, including
President Bush, particularly in areas where the Synod has
a direct interest, such as pro-life questions, policies af-
fecting our secondary and elementary schools, family is-
sues, tax matters, chaplaincy programs, the welfare of
church workers serving abroad, and human-rights dimen-
sions of national and international events. Such contacts
have been greatly enhanced by generous grants that have
enabled the Synod to provide a modest full-time presence
in Washington, D.C. The Washington Office of Govern-
ment Information (whose report appears elsewhere in the
Workbook) is intended to expedite the provision of infor-
mation about the Synod and its official policies to govern-
mental entities and to provide for a flow of information
and counsel to our various synodical offices and congre-
gations. This office, although having only a very small
staff, has also enabled our church body to have direct con-
tact with other Christian groups who share our concerns
about moral and ethical issues, family and educational con-
cerns, and other government issues that may affect our
institutional life together. Information from the office is
also shared on a regular basis with the leaders of the Wis-
consin Evangelical Lutheran Church. There is increasing
evidence of growing congregational interest in matters of
public policy and a number of key national issues, partic-
ularly in the fields of abortion, euthanasia, and education,
that require greater attention at the District and state
level. It is our hope that the Washington office can assist
in those efforts, as well as congregational initiatives, more
vigorously in the coming triennium.