LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 8

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8

SYNOD REPORTS
Res. 3-01 To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the
American Association of Lutheran Churches
Resolved,
That the LCMS recognize The American Association of Lutheran
Churches as a partner church and that the President of the Synod be
responsible for implementing this relationship and for reconciliation.

Action Taken:

In response to this directive from the convention, the Presiding
Pastor of the AALC and I appointed the LCMS/AALC Commission
on Fellowship. The LCMS members of this commission are the
Synod’s First Vice-President, Dr. Bill Diekelman; the Executive
Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, Dr.
Joel Lehenbauer; the Secretary of the Synod, Dr. Raymond Hartwig;
and Minnesota South District President, Dr. Lane Seitz. The AALC
members of the Commission on Fellowship include AALC Presiding
Pastor Franklin Hays; Administrative Assistant to the Presiding Pastor
Fred Balke; and Commission on Doctrine and Church Relations
Chairman Phillip Hofinga.
The Commission on Fellowship met regularly throughout the past
triennium for prayer, study of church body practices, and discussion
of the matters of concern identified by the convention. As a result of
these meetings and conversations, two documents have been adopted
by our church body representatives to address how our partnership
will be implemented. Titled “Operating Agreement I” and “Operating
Agreement II,” these two documents, included as Appendix IV and
Appendix V to this report, deal with movement of professional church
workers and congregations between our two church bodies.
Positive relationships have been established among the members
of the Commission on Fellowship and among numerous pastors from
both church bodies. The Council of Presidents of the LCMS invited
the leadership of the AALC and their “Regional Pastors” to attend a
recent COP meeting. The AALC Regional Pastors had an opportunity
to experience the work of the LCMS district presidents and to hear the
opportunities and concerns related to their office. Relationships are
developing in some LCMS circuits as local AALC pastors are invited
by LCMS pastors and circuit counselors to attend circuit meetings.
The Commission on Fellowship is to be commended for their fraternal discussions and their development of these two documents.
Through their faithful labors, a healthy mutually respectful relationship exists between most of the members of our two church bodies
who have availed themselves of the opportunity to work together
and to walk together.
Res. 3-02 To Encourage Confessional Study
in Preparation for 2017
Resolved,
That the Synod President be directed to support and encourage this
renewal in the study of the Lutheran Confessions through the official
periodicals of the Synod.
Action Taken:

The resolves of Res. 3-02 are related to preparation for celebration of the Reformation in 2017, as stated “in preparation for the
celebration of this anniversary.” Res. 3-02 also addresses “the preparation of study resources” related to the Lutheran Confessions to “be
made available for widespread use in order to enhance the worldwide
confessional celebration of this historic anniversary.” As such, this
resolve closely parallels Res. 2-09, which addresses planning for the
2017 anniversary. As these preparations and documents continue to
unfold in the days and years ahead leading to the 2017 celebration,

I intend to wholeheartedly support and invite the use of these study
resources, while encouraging a renewal in the study of the Lutheran
Confessions. A specific article of such encouragement is currently
scheduled for publication in The Lutheran Witness.
Res. 3-03 To Request the CTCR to Develop a Plan for Confessional
Leadership
Resolved,
That the CTCR, in consultation with the Office of the President and
our seminaries, coordinate fundamentally constructive and intentionally
supportive efforts such as theological symposia, conferences, and other
opportunities for study of confessional Lutheran theology, to uphold and
nurture confessional Lutheranism.
Action Taken:

As referenced in my response to Res. 2-09, a Confessional
Leadership Conference is being sponsored by the CTCR, June 3–5,
2010, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that will bring together international
Lutheran leaders, including the ILC World Seminaries Conference
and teachers of theology from LCMS seminaries, colleges, and universities. This conference, which has been planned in consultation
with the Office of the President, is focused on the intent of Res. 3-03,
namely, “for study of confessional Lutheran theology, to uphold and
nurture confessional Lutheranism.”
As part of the meeting, ILC leaders will offer brief presentations
on the state of Lutheranism in their respective areas of the world. In
addition, presentations will be delivered by other representatives of
world and North American Lutheranism, offering perspectives on the
current state of our church tradition in light of various contemporary
challenges, including the human sexuality decisions of 2009 in the
U.S. and Sweden. Other presentations will focus on the work of the
Holy Spirit in Lutheranism and the church catholic.
Res. 3-10 To Encourage Publication of Theological Literature
Resolved,
That the President of the Synod appoint a task force, in consultation with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Concordia
Publishing House, to include professors from both seminaries and the
Concordia University System, to establish a new Committee on Church
Literature by June 2008, “for the purpose of providing meaningful input
to Concordia Publishing House in identifying, promoting, and facilitating the publication of theological literature” (CW, p. 66) for use by
members of the Synod, other Christians, and the public in general.
Action Taken:

As directed in Res. 3-10, in consultation with the President and
CEO of Concordia Publishing House (CPH), the members of the
Committee on Church Literature were appointed. The committee
members are Rev. Allen Doering; Dr. Adam Francisco; Mrs. Janet
George; Rev. Stephen Hower; Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke; Dr. Leo
Sanchez; and Rev. Larry Stojkovic. An overview of the committee’s
work is included in the report submitted by CPH for inclusion in the
Convention Workbook.
This overview reads, in part, “The committee met six times during the previous triennium, and has provided valuable advice and
input to Concordia Publishing House, as it has reviewed the present
publications of Concordia Publishing House during its meetings and
offered advice and counsel for possible future publications.” Further
details on the progress and accomplishments of this committee are
included in the convention report from Concordia Publishing House.

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 8

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