LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 118

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120 , : RESOLUTIONS

Wuereas, Legalized gambling and accompanying con-
cerns continue to proliferate throughout our society; and

Wuereas, The CTCR has indicated that it is in the pro-
cess of addressing this assignment in cooperation with our
partner church, the Lutheran Church—Canada; therefore
be it :

Resolved, That the Synod commend the CTCR for its
efforts to work together with the LCC in its work on this
assignment; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR be encouraged to complete
work on this assignment as soon as possible so that the
church may be well advised regarding this very significant
social and moral concern of our times.:

Action: Adopted (14).

To Conduct a Study of Liberation
Theology

; RESOLUTION 3-20
Overtures 3-96A-B (CW, pp. 209-10)

Wuereas, Liberation theology, a philosophy which
blends Marxist thought and Christian teaching, is com-
monly discussed, preached, and taught in many countries
by many diverse church groups as a “preferential option
for the poor” and as a way for Christians living in the Third
World to apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their own
particular setting; and

Wuereas, The LCMS has not produced a statement con-
cerning liberation theology and its compatibility with
confessional Lutheranism; and

Wuereas, Such a statement would be of great benefit
to the LCMS as it discusses liberation theology with other
denominations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations conduct a comprehensive study of lib-
eration theology and its variations in light of confessional
Lutheranism. .

Action: Adopted (14).

To Acknowledge and Use God’s Gifts
of Research and Analysis

RESOLUTION 3-21A
Overture 3-52 (CW, pp. 195-96)

Wuereas, The scriptural doctrine of creation moves us
to recognize and use God’s gift of rational analysis of the
earthly realm (also in the ministerial use of reason within
the church) as is confessed in Luther’s explanation of the
First Article of the Apostles’ Creed; and

Wuenreas, The ‘academic disciplines and research and
planning help to shape insights and provide direction
which may be used in the service of proclaiming the biblical
message which alone informs us of the way of salvation in
Christ Jesus; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention acknowledge
God’s good gifts of research and rational analysis and urge
their appropriate use in the life and mission of the church.

Action: Adopted (14).

(A motion was made to table the resolution but was not
sustained.)

To Recognize Pastoral Visitation as a
Means of Edifying the Church

RESOLUTION 38-22
Overture 3-52 (CW, pp. 195-96)

Wuereas, The practice of the ministry of the Word in
the Christian church and the Lutheran tradition has in-
cluded pastoral visitation by those who exercise the office
of the holy ministry as synodical President, District Pres-
ident, and Circuit Counselor; and

Wuereas, Such visitation provides one means for the
mutual edification of the church at the congregational, Cir-
cuit, District, and synodical levels; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS continue to seek the godly

sedification of parish life and pastoral work through such

wholesome and faithful visitations which through the Gos-
pel encourage and support proper exercise of the callings
of pastors and congregations.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Decline Request to Add to CTCR
Membership

RESOLUTION 3-23
Overture 3-109.(CW, p. 215)

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church

‘Relations from its founding in 1962 until 1981 was com-

posed of 23 voting members, including 8 theological pro-
fessora, 7 pastors, 6 laymen, and 2 teachers; and

Wuereas, In 1981 the membership of the CTCR was
reduced to a voting membership of 13, including 4 laymen,
4 pastors, 2 professors, 1 teacher, and 2 others; and

Wuenreas, Three additional theological professors were
added to the membership of the Commission in 1986 (Res.
3-16) so that at the present time the composition of its
voting membership of 16 must always include 5 theological
professors (4 of whom are teaching in the Synod’s semi-
naries), 4 pastors, 4 laymen, 1 teacher, and 2 others; and

Wuereas, Since 1981 the presidents of the Synod’s two
seminaries serve as advisory members of the CTCR with-
out limitation of tenure; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 3-109 “To Add Two Seminary
Professors to Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions” be respectfully declined.

Action: Adopted (14).