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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 280

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

280

LIFE TOGETHER

circuits, but these divisions do not reflect a division of the
fellowship we have together; and
WHEREAS, These divisions sometimes separate churches and
pastors which are close to one another and have good reason to
communicate and work with one another; and
WHEREAS, Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it
is when brothers dwell in unity,” Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron
sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another,” Paul says in Romans
14:19, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual
upbuilding,” and the apostles and leaders of the Early Church
regularly met together to settle disputes and strengthen one another
as shown in Acts and the epistles; and
WHEREAS, The Church suffers a loss when congregations and
pastors do not interact with one another because of circuit and
district divisions, particularly when they do not support and
encourage one another in their mutual work for the kingdom of God;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the districts of the Synod be encouraged to meet
with one or more neighboring districts through a joint pastors
conference at least once per triennium; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors of circuits be encouraged to meet with
the pastors of one or more neighboring circuits within or outside of
their own district at least once a year.
Holy Trinity
Walnut, IL
Ov. 4-16

To Prohibit District Conventions and Pastors
Conferences during Lent and Advent
WHEREAS, It is both necessary and required to meet together for
the regular business of the districts; and
WHEREAS, It is important and required for the pastors of the
districts to regularly meet together and study God’s Word and
matters of importance; and
WHEREAS, These things ought not to interfere with the exercise
of the pastoral office as outlined in the Book of Concord, the Synod
Constitution, and ordination rite; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.2.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.2.1
Conventions of the districts shall afford opportunities for
worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of
vital information. They are the principal legislative assemblies,
which amend the district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws,
consider and take action on reports and overtures, and handle
appropriate appeals.
…
(h) The convention of districts shall not be held during Lent, so
as to not interfere with the increased duties of pastors,
commissioned workers, and those laity who assist with services,
such as elders and musicians.

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.8.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.8.2
Official conferences for all ordained and commissioned
ministers on the respective rosters of the Synod shall meet, if
possible, in plenary sessions at least once each year.
…

2023 Convention Workbook

(e) No official conferences shall be held during the seasons of
Lent or Advent, so as to not interfere with the increased duties of
pastors and commissioned workers during those periods.

Holy Trinity
Walnut, IL
Ov. 4-17

To Encourage House Blessings
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture speaks often of the divine blessing of
house and home (Psalm 104; 128, Luke 10; 19); and
WHEREAS, Martin Luther’s Small Catechism includes devotions
and prayers for use in the home; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Service Book, Lutheran hymnals, and
agendas include liturgies for the blessing of a home for pastoral and
congregational use; and
WHEREAS, The blessing of a home provides opportunity for a
ministry of congregational hospitality in mission for both member
families and those requesting such blessing; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Atlantic District commend to her own
congregations and pastors the ministry of house blessings; and be it
further
Resolved, That the President of the Atlantic District, through
Task Force 2: Revitalization, share resources and avenues to begin
this ministry in the congregations and regions of the Atlantic
District with resources in the next triennium; and be it finally
Resolved, That these resources and this commendation be
brought to the national assembly of the 2023 LCMS convention for
use and guidance.
Atlantic District
Ov. 4-18

To Mark Fiftieth Anniversary of 1974 Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, “Walkout” with Thorough
Teaching about the Controversy and Renewed
Emphasis on Pure Doctrine
WHEREAS, On Feb. 19, 1974, the majority of the faculty and
students “walked out” of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), in
protest of an investigation into the teaching at the institution, and in
order to form “Seminex,” a seminary in exile; and
WHEREAS, The investigation was an attempt to determine if there
was false teaching, specifically the historical-critical method by
which the clear words of Scripture are doubted or treated as myth,
legend, or analogy; and
WHEREAS, For years prior to the fact finding inquiry and the
“Walkout,” pastors and members of Synod congregations were
hearing disturbing accounts of CSL professors allowing for
interpretations of the Bible that did not uphold the doctrine of the
inerrancy of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:21); and
WHEREAS, The Fact Finding Committee found that some
professors “held or permitted”:
1. A confusion on the doctrine of Scripture, especially its
verbal inspiration and the inerrancy, as well as
disagreement on the relationship between the formal and
material principles of Scripture.