LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 296

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296

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

I 3; II 4; IV 5; V 14) and remains an endeavor toward which
congregations are encouraged to strive (Const. Art. II 7); and
WHEREAS, Such practice (virtual or online Communion) has not
been discussed by Synod as a whole, much less considered and
commended by it on a scriptural and confessional basis; therefore
be it
Resolved, That we commend the desires of faithful pastors to
care for their flocks in a time of pandemic, having granted charity
and latitude due to the emergency nature of the situation
experienced by all; and be it further
Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District, on the basis of
God’s Word, reject the irresponsible and unfaithful practice of
online and virtual Communion as contrary to the Word of God and
the Lutheran Confessions; and be it finally
Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District memorialize the
2023 Synod convention to reject the practice of online or virtual
Communion as contrary to the Word of God and the Lutheran
Confessions and accept the CTCR opinions Communion and
COVID-19 (adopted March 2020) and One Little Word Can Fell
Him: Addendum to Communion and COVID-19 (adopted June
2020).
South Wisconsin District
Ov. 5-16

To Reject and Condemn Practice
of Virtual (Online) Communion
WHEREAS, The churches of the Lutheran Confession have
diligently and respectfully followed the practice of Communion in
the midst of a gathered local congregation served by local pastors
who are “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,”
(1 Cor. 4:1) as was handed down by Jesus to St. Paul and the first
apostles and to us; and
WHEREAS, These local pastors are to “be found trustworthy” (1
Cor. 4:2 ESVUK) and have vowed “to administer the holy
sacraments in accordance with their divine institution,”
(Supplement to the Diploma of Vocation); and
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confession teaches specifically
regarding Holy Communion (Formula of Concord, Solid
Declaration VII 83–85):
But this “blessing” or the recitation of the Words of Institution
of Christ by itself does not make a valid sacrament if the entire
action of the Supper, as Christ administered it, is not observed
(as, for example, when the consecrated bread is not distributed,
received, and eaten but is instead locked up [in the tabernacle],
made into a sacrifice, or carried around in a procession). On the
contrary, Christ’s command, “Do this,” must be observed
without division or confusion. For it includes the entire action or
administration of this sacrament: that in a Christian assembly
bread and wine are taken, consecrated, distributed, received,
eaten, and drunk, and that thereby the Lord’s death is
proclaimed, as St. Paul presents the entire action of the breaking
of the bread or its distribution and reception in 1 Corinthians
10:16. In order to preserve this true Christian teaching on the
Holy Supper and to avoid and eliminate many kinds of idolatrous
abuses and perversions of this testament, this useful rule and
guide is taken from the Words of Institution: nothing has the
character of a sacrament apart from the use [usus] instituted by
Christ or the divinely instituted action [actio]. (That is, when
2023 Convention Workbook

Christ’s institution is not observed as he established it, there is
no sacrament.) This rule dare not be rejected in any way, but it
can and should be followed and preserved in the church of God
with great benefit. (Kolb & Wengert, 607–608);
and
WHEREAS, It is not possible to provide in-person pastoral care or
complete the “entire action or administration” of the sacraments “in
a Christian assembly” when members of the congregation
participate remotely using the internet or other electronic means;
and
WHEREAS, The Sacraments were instituted by Christ to destroy
doubt and bring the certainty of His forgiveness; and
WHEREAS, “Virtual” or “online” Communion, as it has been
variously called, is a rejection of proper pastoral care, negates the
ability to practice the immediate pastoral oversight of confession of
sins and faith, breaks the “useful rule and guide” established by our
Lutheran Confession, and creates uncertainty, doubt, and a division
of the local gathered body of believers and a division in practice
between congregations; and
WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents unanimously adopted the
resolution: “To Encourage Advocating In-Person Communion,”
(The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, “To Encourage
Advocating
In-Person
Communion,”
files.lcms.org/file/preview/6CAF272D-692A-4653-9005A5C931CD045B, Sept. 11, 2021) wherein the final resolved
encourages congregations and pastors “to refrain from the practice
of online Communion”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the pastors of the Montana District provide a
careful biblical and catechetical instruction to their congregations
regarding Holy Communion, giving attention to the duties of a
pastor and that of the congregation in this matter; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of the district be encouraged to
clearly and unequivocally reject and condemn the practice of virtual
(online) Communion by teaching members of the specific dangers;
and be it further
Resolved, That the president of the district (the ecclesiastical
supervisor), seek information from all Montana District
congregations about this practice and begin specific discussions to
dissuade any congregation of this district that is considering,
teaching, or practicing virtual (online) Communion; and be it finally
Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod to broaden its
scope to include every district and adopt this at its 2023 convention.
Montana District
Ov. 5-17

To Refrain from Practice of Online Communion
WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus, with words and actions spoken and
carried out by him in the direct and physical presence of His
disciples, instituted Holy Communion as a communal meal through
which His body and blood are distributed under the bread and wine
for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Matt 26:26–28); and
WHEREAS, The conditions brought about by the COVID-19
pandemic of 2020 led many congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to suspend in-person worship
gatherings for protracted periods, hindering them from the
celebration of Holy Communion; and