LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 169

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Theology and Church Relations
Whereas, The LCMS proudly and boldly subscribes to the
Unaltered Augsburg Confession; and
Whereas, The LCMS stands as a beacon of light to these dear
truths in our ever-changing nonconfessional world; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention vote to ask the Praesidium
to pursue official theological talks with the leadership of the WELS
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod).
Circuit Nine
Kansas District
3-14

To Support Other Lutherans with Consciences
Bound by the Will of God
Whereas, Recent decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
America (ELCA) that are contrary to Scripture have offended many
of the congregations and individuals who considered themselves affiliated with or members of the ELCA; and
Whereas, Many congregations and individuals have withdrawn
from or are considering withdrawal from affiliation with or membership in the ELCA and consider their decision necessitated by
conscience, Holy Scripture, and right reason; and
Whereas, For the sake of good order and in furtherance of the clear
proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, many of these same congregations and individuals have organized themselves into WordAlone, and
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC; headquartered
in Canton, Michigan, with no bishops or bureaucratic hierarchy, but
a freely associated membership of congregations); and
Whereas, The decisions of the ELCA referred to above have
brought scandal in the minds of the public to all who call themselves
Lutherans and have sown discord and confusion for many who are
unaware of the various and many synods that faithfully subscribe
to and affirm the Lutheran Confessions as a true understanding of
Scripture, including the LCMS; and
Whereas, The LCMS has a stake in redirecting the public focus
away from the disastrous decisions of the ELCA and toward the truth
that other Lutheran denominations have faithfully maintained; and
Whereas, These same Lutheran Confessions and also the LCMS
Commission on Theology and Church Relations CTCR) have recognized that there are “extraordinary situations and circumstances”
which call for “the necessity of exercising responsible pastoral care”
to other Lutherans that are not in full doctrinal agreement with the
LCMS (CTCR report, “Admission to the Lord’s Supper: Basics of
Biblical and Confessional Teaching”); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS recognize that WordAlone and LCMC
are in a state of faithful confession of the Word of God while in
extraordinary circumstances, and that the LCMS, while recognizing
that many and significant differences exist in doctrine between us,
nevertheless desire and support, encourage and welcome WordAlone
and LCMC in their faithful confession of God’s Word and in their
missions and other common ministries; and be it further
Resolved, That in furtherance of this desire and goal, the
LCMS invites and welcomes dialogue with representatives of
WordAlone and LCMC on matters of common ministries; and be
it further
Resolved, That LCMS welcome and invite WordAlone and LCMC
to encourage referral of students seeking preparation for ordained
ministry and other professional lay ministry in the LCMC to the various programs, colleges, universities, and seminaries of the LCMS,
and that cooperation of education and training between these bodies
be encouraged; and be it further

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Resolved, That the LCMC and LCMS be encouraged to use each
others’ publishing houses and other educational, ministry, and training resources; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS through the CTCR invite the LCMC to
dialogue regarding the possibility that individuals on the clergy roster
of the LCMC may be recognized and licensed by district presidents
on a case-by-case basis as deacons in the LCMS; and be it finally
Resolved, That LCMC and LCMS congregations be encouraged to
adopt many and varied creative ways to work together locally based
on the unique needs and gifts of the congregations involved, guided
by the Holy Spirit and including but not limited to the cooperative
venture that now exists between Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
(LCMC) and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (LCMS) of Spokane,
Washington, such cooperation to include evangelism and mission.
Gloria Dei
Spokane, WA
3-15

To Encourage Participation in Interfaith Dialogues
Whereas, North America has become more religiously pluralistic
and secular (Robert D. Newton, “Missionary Churches: Navigating in
a Post-Church World,” The Lutheran Witness, vol. 109, no. 1 (January
2010), pp. 6–11); and
Whereas, There exists an unfortunate amount of fear, suspicion,
misconception, and even animosity between various religious faiths;
and
Whereas, Some use fear, the lack of knowledge, and suspicion of
different faiths to enact violence against them; and
Whereas, These conditions are problematic for a proper understanding of the Christian faith and for Christian outreach; and
Whereas, Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall
be called the sons of God” (Matt. 5:9); and
Whereas, Paul calls upon us to enlarge the circle of our contacts
when he wrote, “So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to
everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith”
(Gal. 6:10); and
Whereas, God’s Word commands us to love our neighbor as much
as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39); and
Whereas, Our Synod has much to offer a broken and sinful world
with its sound biblical theology centered in the Gospel of God’s justifying love in Jesus Christ; and
Whereas, God’s Word encourages us to always be ready to
share the hope of Christ that is within us with gentleness and respect
(1 Pet. 3:15); and
Whereas, Engaging in religious dialogue is one way of sharing
the hope of Christ within us; and
Whereas, Engaging in dialogue builds necessary trust and respect
with those whom we seek to know and love by demonstrating our
willingness to hear about our neighbor’s faith, while giving us opportunities to witness in word and deed about the Christian faith; and
Whereas, Christ commands His Church to share the Gospel with
the world (Matt. 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–16; Luke 24:44–49; John
20:19–23; Acts 1:8); therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention direct the CTCR to
develop guidelines and resources for initiating and participating in
such dialogues at congregational, district, national, and international
levels, so that members of the LCMS can participate in interfaith
dialogues to promote greater understanding among religious faith
systems; and be it further
Resolved, That one of the goals for engaging in interfaith dialogues would be the providing of opportunities for Synod members
to gain knowledge of the religious faith of others, thus enabling them
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