LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 341

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FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS

5. Theology and Church Relations
REPORTS
R1, R1.1, R1.2, R1.3, R11, R14, R59
OVERTURES
5-01

To Endorse Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with the Lutheran Church in Norway
Preamble
Christianity came to Norway around AD 1000 and became the
dominant religion by the 12th century. The 16th-century Reformation
had a profound effect on the church in Norway, leading it to sever
its ties with Rome. The Lutheran church became the state church of
Norway. (To this day the “state” or “peoples’ church” continues to
receive state support.) In subsequent centuries, Norwegian Lutherans
were noted for deep piety and energetic work in missions. The second half of the 20th century, however, marked significant change for
the Norwegian state church, most notably an undermining of biblical authority, growing tolerance of theological innovation and false
doctrine, growing rejection of Christian moral teachings (e.g., on
abortion, sexual behavior), a marked decline of church attendance
among the laity, and the decline of mission. In the 21st century, the
decay of Norwegian Christianity has become only more evident. The
percentage of Baptisms of infants has dropped significantly and is
regarded by many as a largely meaningless custom. Regular church
attendance is now below 3 percent of the population. The Church of
Norway itself tolerated departures from biblical teaching and practice, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, universalism, and so forth.
Despite such decline, there are faithful Christians in Norway.
One example is The Lutheran Church in Norway (LCN). The LCN
is a small, emerging, strongly confessional Lutheran church (presently with three congregations) that is independent of state support.
It upholds the complete authority and inerrancy of Holy Scripture
and clearly articulates and practices the truth that Christ alone is the
world’s Savior from sin, death, and hell. As has been the practice
among Scandinavian Lutherans, it subscribes to the three ecumenical creeds, the Small Catechism, and the Augsburg Confession, with
the Book of Concord as authoritative for interpreting these documents. The LCN’s purpose is to plant and guide congregations in
the true faith.
Its commitment to the Gospel and the Holy Scriptures, and the
Confessions, led the LCN, under the leadership of Rev. Torkild
Masvie, to request fellowship with the LCMS on March 3, 2011.
Doctrinal discussions began in July of that same year, according to the
provisions of Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c). Following these visits and discussions (which included LCMS representatives Dr. Albert Collver, Rev.
Dan Gilbert, Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, and Rev. Daniel Preus), on May 16,
2014, the CTCR recommended a recognition of fellowship with the
LCN to President Harrison and he declared the same on November
7, 2014. A protocol agreement between the two churches was signed
on March 7, 2015. On January 17, 2016, Rev. Torkild Masvie was
formally installed as Provisional Bishop of the Lutheran Church in
Norway at the first official convention of the LCN.
Whereas, There is a severe decline of biblical and confessional
teaching and life among Norwegian Christianity; and
341

Whereas, By God’s grace, the LCN traces its history to the
Lutheran Reformation’s acceptance in Norway and continues to
believe, teach, and confess the saving Gospel of justification by grace
through faith in Christ alone and is fully committed to the sole authority of Holy Scripture in the church’s teaching and life; and
Whereas, By God’s grace, the LCN boldly proclaims God’s
holy Law and His saving Gospel, opposing such societal trends as
acceptance of abortion, abortifacients, and same-sex marriage, while
promoting the glorious truth of Christ’s saving work for all the world;
and
Whereas, The LCMS, in obedience to God’s Word and the
Lutheran Confessions, enjoys church fellowship with many other
Lutheran churches throughout the world and endeavors to seek out
other Lutheran churches that believe, teach, and confess the same
true faith; and
Whereas, The LCN has for several years enjoyed altar and pulpit
fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, a partner
church of the LCMS; and
Whereas, While living in the United States, the Rev. Torkild
Masvie (now bishop of LCN) was a member of an LCMS congregation for three years, and LCN leaders and pastors have enjoyed a
working relationship in theological education with numerous LCMS
leaders, teachers, and lecturers; and
Whereas, The LCN was established as an independent Lutheran
church in 2006 and subsequently requested formal church fellowship
discussions with the LCMS; and
Whereas, Representatives of the LCMS conducted several formal visits to the LCN, and LCN representatives have, in turn, visited
the LCMS; and
Whereas, After visits, correspondence, and thorough consideration, the LCMS representatives concluded that there is complete
agreement between our two churches in doctrine and practice and
therefore no obstacle to altar and pulpit fellowship; and
Whereas, At its 2010 Convention the Synod adopted Res. 3-04A
“To Amend Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 re Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with
Small, Formative, or Emerging Confessional Churches,” which recognizes that in certain cases a streamlined approach to altar and pulpit
fellowship with such emerging churches would be beneficial; and
Whereas, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c) now provides that “when a small,
formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified
as such by the President of the Synod as chief ecumenical officer)
requests recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod,
after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission, such recognition may be declared by the President of the Synod
subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention”; and
Whereas, At its May 2014 meeting the CTCR formally recommended church fellowship with the LCN to the Synod President; and
Whereas, President Harrison declared fellowship on November
7, 2014, after consultation with the Praesidium; and
Whereas, Necessary protocol documents guiding interactions
between the LCMS and the LCN have been adopted; therefore be it
Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks that, despite significant cultural
and ecclesial challenges, God, by His grace, has equipped and prepared the LCN to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in
Norway; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks to God that doctrinal discussions
between official representatives of the LCMS and the LCN have
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