LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 56

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56

SYNOD REPORTS

10. Christian Stewardship of the Environment [2007 Res. 3-06]

4. A Christian Response to Immigration Issues [2007 Res. 6-05]

2007 Res. 3-06 asked the CTCR to prepare a report on Christian
stewardship of the environment “for use by Synod entities including
our schools and churches as they develop resources for the church at
large.” After receiving a grant of $34 thousand from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the CTCR hosted two consultations (Feb. 11, 2009,
and September 21, 2009) in St. Louis involving the CTCR’s church
and society subcommittee and consultants with expertise, interest, and
experience in various facets of this issue. A document titled Together
with All Creatures: Caring for God’s Living Earth was drafted, which
explores the biblical emphasis on the importance of the created world.
These materials were adopted in principle by the commission at
its February 2010 meeting and, upon final approval by the commission, are slated to be mailed to congregations and rostered workers
and also published on the Web at www.lcms.org/ctcr. At the upcoming
National Youth Gathering, the CTCR will sponsor and staff a booth
to draw attention to a Christian understanding of environmental concerns and responsibilities.

Debate in U.S. society regarding the question of immigration has
increased in recent years. Christians sometimes find themselves at
odds with one another over the issue of how both legal and illegal immigrants should be treated and whether the church has any
special responsibility for their well-being. The Human Care floor
committee for the 2007 convention prepared Res. 6-05 for consideration (Today’s Business, p. 116), requesting the CTCR to research
“the historical and theological foundations relevant to this crisis,” but
the convention adjourned before there was opportunity for a vote.
President Kieschnick then used the proposed resolution as the basis
for a request to the CTCR to carry out the proposed study. The commission reviewed initial work on this topic at its December 2009
meeting and hopes to have a draft ready for consideration in the coming triennium.

B. Studies in Progress

In 1986, Synod President Dr. Ralph Bohlmann requested a study
of the theology and practice of prayer, noting specifically the importance of prayer in Christian piety and expressing concern about
understandings that seem to equate prayer with the means of grace.
President Barry renewed this request in 1996. The standing committee given responsibility for this assignment has before it a major draft
of this study, which it hopes to present to the commission for consideration during the coming triennium.

1. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships [1981 Res. 3-03A]

The commission continues its work on an assignment of the Synod
originating in 1981. The Synod requested that the CTCR prepare
“practical guidelines … to assist 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” (Res.
3-03A). In the intervening years, the CTCR completed a number of
documents relating to the subject of relationships with other churches
and Christians. These include Inter-Christian Relationships: An
Instrument for Study (1992), The Lutheran Understanding of Church
Fellowship: Study Materials (2000), The Lutheran Understanding of
Church Fellowship: Report on Synodical Discussions (2001), as well
as the two documents Policy for The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod Declaring Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Another Church
Body (2009) and Church Relations in the 21st Century (2009), mentioned earlier in this report (see items I A 7 and I A 8 above). The
commission has received and forwarded to the appropriate standing
committee a number of specific inquiries and suggestions regarding
the guidance needed on this topic. The CTCR continues to work on
a major document responsive to this assignment.
2. The Priesthood of All Believers [2007 Res. 1-03]

2007 Res. 1-03 resolved that the CTCR consult with the Board
for Mission Services “to prepare a comprehensive study document
which clearly presents the biblical teaching of the royal priesthood
and Luther’s teaching on vocation in the light of the mission challenges of today.” The standing committee given responsibility for this
is currently at work on this assignment.
3. Implications of the Natural Knowledge of God [2007 Res. 3-04A]

Current confusion regarding the distinction between what reason
can know of God and the saving revelation of God in Christ Jesus
provided the rationale for 2007 Res. 3-04A “To Call for Study of the
Natural Knowledge of God and Its Implications for Public Witness.”
The resolution reaffirmed the truth that salvation is not given apart
from faith in Jesus Christ and resolved that the CTCR consult with
the seminary faculties to “prepare a study of the natural knowledge of
God, and especially its implications for our public witness.” A committee of the commission has assigned this task to a writer, who is
preparing a draft on this topic.

5. Prayer

6. Preparation of Study Resources for 2017 Celebration of the
Reformation [2007 Res. 3-02]

2007 Res. 3-02 resolved that the CTCR, “in consultation with the
International Lutheran Council,” work to prepare materials to encourage the study of the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran Confessions in
preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Toward that
end, the commission’s executive staff have consulted with the executive staff for the ILC, and one of the standing committees of the
commission is formulating plans for the completion of such resources.
7. Hostility toward Christianity

A December 23, 2008, letter from an LCMS pastor requested the
CTCR to develop “a solid Scriptural directive that will greatly assist
our congregations” in understanding the sources and nature of rising
hostility toward Christianity in our day. The commission does not normally accept requests for assignments from individual pastors and
congregations, but after deliberation, it chose to accept this request
and assigned it to one of its standing committees. The committee is
currently considering possible ways of responding to this assignment.
8. The Relationship between Science and Theology

In May 2009, a consortium of science and theology professors
from the Concordia University System conferred to dialog together
on the study of science as Christians under the theme “Two Books,
One Truth.” One result of the conference was a request to “develop a
study on the relationship between science and theology.” The Executive Director of the Board for University Education, Dr. Kurt Krueger,
formally requested that the CTCR give consideration to placing this
assignment on its agenda. The commission has accepted this request
and assigned the topic to a standing committee, which is formulating plans for a forthcoming report.

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