LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 69

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
with Other Christian Church Bodies (2011), and Policy for The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Declaring Altar and Pulpit
Fellowship with Another Church Body (2009, rev. 2014, see above,
I A 4).
At the same time, the commission continues work on the Synod’s
request 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” (1981 Res. 3-03A), viewing this as a
matter of ongoing discussion and concern in the Synod.
The 2010 Res. 8-30B “To Study Article VI of Synod’s
Constitution” added a particular focus that fits within the general
purview of this same assignment. It asked that “the President of the
Synod in consultation with the Council of Presidents, the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations, and the Commission on
Constitutional Matters make provisions for the preparation of materials (a study) that explain the biblical, confessional, and historical
basis for Article VI of the Synod’s Constitution.”
The CTCR is at work on a three-part study of this matter (historical, exegetical, and systematic) that will include practical guidance.
2. The Priesthood of All Believers (2007 Res. 1-03)

The 2007 Res. 1-03 directed the CTCR “to prepare a comprehensive study document which clearly presents the biblical teaching
of the royal priesthood and Luther’s teaching on vocation in light of
the mission challenges of today.” The CTCR continues its work on
this assignment and expects to complete it in the coming triennium.
3. Relationship of Man and Woman (1995 Res. 3-10; 2010 Res. 3-06)

In commending the 2009 CTCR report The Creator’s Tapestry
(prepared in partial response to 1995 Res. 3-10), the 2010 convention also asked the CTCR “to publish the results of the study to the
church at large and to address additional questions and issues.” The
CTCR is committed to continuing its work on various aspects of the
topic of “the relationship of man and woman,” including the foundational issue of “the order of creation,” as requested by 1995 Res. 3-10
and 2010 Res. 3-06. Included in this study will be a May 2015 request
of President Harrison to consider current and possible future implications of the 2015 Supreme Court opinion Obergefell v. Hodges.
4. Study Resources for 2017 Reformation Celebration (2007 Res. 3-02,
2013 Res. 3-15)

The 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. The same concerns were reiterated in 2013 Res. 3-15.
The CTCR has identified helpful Reformation resources and conferred with Concordia Publishing House, which has an ambitious plan
to encourage study of the Reformation, including such things as anniversary editions of a Spanish study Bible, The Lutheran Difference,
and commemoratives. A multimedia website, among other resources,
is planned by CPH. Lastly, the CTCR is cautiously optimistic that
the revision of Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation will be
available for publication in 2017 (see item I B 8 below). Moreover,
papers from the International Conference on Confessional Leadership
(see item I C below) were published online at blogs.lcms.org/2015/
journal-of-lutheran-mission-september2015.
5. Women Teaching Theology

In correspondence dated March 15, 2012, President Harrison
requested a CTCR opinion on the matter of “women serving as
members of theological faculties and women in general (uncalled

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or adjunct) teaching theology at our Concordias and seminaries.”
In his request, President Harrison notes that these questions involve
“numerous considerations,” including several which he specifically
enumerates (e.g., operative passages of Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions, the matter of deaconess studies, partner church practices and ecumenical implications, etc.) and others which he hopes
and anticipates will be identified by the CTCR and addressed in its
response.
The subcommittee to which this request has been assigned has
devoted considerable time and discussion to this issue, and it continues to engage seriously and substantively the various facets of this
question identified in President Harrison’s request as well as related
issues and concerns (e.g., questions about women serving as presidents of LCMS colleges and universities).
6. Women in Combat (2013 Res. 2-12A)

The 2013 Synod convention asked the CTCR to “produce a statement” on the matter of women serving in combat positions that might
be considered by the 2016 convention. The commission prepared an
overture to the 2016 convention on this issue that provides an update
on its work thus far, addresses the concern of the 2013 Res. 2-12A that
the LCMS support those who have a religious and moral objection to
women serving in ground combat positions, and indicates its intention
to produce an in-depth report on this matter in the coming triennium.
7. Study and Guidance on Confession and Absolution (2013 Res. 4-13)

In 2007 (Res. 2-07A), the LCMS resolved to encourage greater use
of the unique gift of individual Confession and Absolution. Noting
that resolution, the 2013 convention (Res. 4-13 “To Encourage
Confession and Absolution for Pastors”) gave particular attention
to the spiritual well-being of its pastors, encouraging them, without
coercion, to make use of this Means of Grace according to need. The
resolution went on to ask the CTCR to “provide a document that sets
forth our church’s teaching on confession and absolution and offers
positive guidance to pastors and congregations in their exercise of the
Office of the Keys.” The commission is at work on this assignment,
anticipating its completion in the near future.
8. Update Synod’s Catechetical Materials (2013 Res. 3-13A)

Recognizing a need to update the “Explanation” portion of
Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (1991) because of
changes in morality, law, and many other facets of contemporary
life, the 2013 Synod convention directed the CTCR in concurrence
with the Synod President “to propose such needed revisions to the
content” of the synodical catechism while retaining the 1986 translation of the Small Catechism proper. In concurrence with President
Harrison, a drafting committee was subsequently appointed by the
CTCR, chaired by Dr. Joel D. Lehenbauer (Executive Director) and
including Dr. Charles Arand and Rev. Thomas Egger (CSL), Rev. John
Pless (CTSFW), Rev. Wally Arp (parish pastor), Dr. Jan Lohmeyer
(commissioned teacher), and Rev. Larry Vogel (CTCR staff).
Priorities for the committee’s work have been to provide a succinct explanation of each catechetical point, a Scripture narrative to
illustrate it, consistency with past Lutheran catechesis (especially the
Large Catechism), clear connections to contemporary life, and a devotional connection. The committee defined an approach (or template)
for the presentation of the materials in the Explanation and field-tested
it in 2015. Responses were strongly positive. A two-stage field test
of the proposed materials (“with the help of Concordia Publishing
House,” as mandated by Res. 3-13A) is anticipated to begin by the
summer of 2016. The first stage will be a field test of the materials for
the Ten Commandments and the Apostles’ Creed. Stage two will be a
field test of the remaining chief parts: the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, the
Office of the Keys and Confession, and the Lord’s Supper. Following
2016 Convention Workbook