LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 298

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298

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

ever stronger and stronger” (Large Catechism V 24), while it is
incumbent on all faithful ministers of the Gospel to remove all
obstacles that create doubt regarding what Christ offers in this
sacrament or detracts from it (AC XXIV); and
WHEREAS, The pastoral office is responsible for oversight of the
administration of the Sacrament in accordance with the keys
conferred upon the pastor by virtue of his call (AC XIV; Walther’s
Church and Ministry, Ministry Theses V and VII); and
WHEREAS, No theological justification for the novel practice of
online or virtual Communion has existed within the Synod or the
Lutheran tradition nor has been advanced in the circles advocating
for it on the basis of the principally relevant texts (sedes doctrinae)
of Holy Scripture or the Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar has been established by
our Lord according to his Words of Institution, commanding
literally “This keep on doing” (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:24-25) which
indicates that this use of the Sacrament should be kept according to
his institution and that “nothing is a Sacrament without the
appointed use” as set forth by those same Words of Institution (FC
SD VII 73); and
WHEREAS, The uniformity in practice from the foundation of the
Synod has long been considered desirable (1847 Constitution
Article I 3; II 4; IV 5; V 14) and remains an endeavor toward which
congregations are encouraged to strive (Const. Art. II 7); therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District reject the practice
of online or virtual Communion as it is contrary to the Word of God
and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further
Resolved, That the district urge congregations practicing online
or virtual Communion to cease this divisive practice; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the district submit this resolution as an overture
to the 2023 Synod convention.
Southern Illinois District
Ov. 5-19

To Reject “Online” or “Virtual” Communion
as Divisive of Church Fellowship
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, some
congregations of our Synod started a novel practice of “online” or
“virtual” Communion, which is unknown to the Scriptures and had
heretofore not been practiced in the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) and the systematic theology departments of both
seminaries issued opinions in opposition to the practice of “online”
or “virtual” Communion, and the Council of Presidents passed a
motion for all members of the Synod to “refrain from the practice
of online Communion”; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR affirmed its 2006, unanimously adopted
opinion on DVD consecration and applied its rationale to online or
virtual Communion, putting forward the arguments—among
others—that this practice:
• severs the consecration of the Sacrament through the Words
of Institution from the distribution and reception of the
Sacrament;

2023 Convention Workbook

•

•

•

potentially and unnecessarily sows doubt in the minds of
communicants as to whether the elements received are in fact
the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood;
vitiates the instrumental role of pastoral care in the
administration of the Sacrament through the lack of pastoral
oversight, preparation of communicants, and admission to
the table; and
detracts from the corporate assembly of God’s people around
the Lord’s Supper as an expression of the common
confession of Christ and unity in the faith;

and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions (Formula of Concord
[FC], Solid Declaration 7) indicate that the proper use of the
Sacrament includes a unified consecration, distribution, and
reception, none of which are to be severed from the other, yet the
practice of “online” or “virtual” Communion would interpose a
spatial, temporal, and technological breach between the
consecration and the distribution and reception; and
WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar serves to strengthen faith
against all doubts (Augsburg Confession [AC] XIII) and is “given
as a daily pasture and sustenance, that faith may refresh and
strengthen itself so that it will not fall back in such a battle, but
become ever stronger and stronger” (Large Catechism V 24), while
it is incumbent on all faithful ministers of the Gospel to remove all
obstacles that create doubt or detract from what Christ offers in this
Sacrament (AC XXIV); and
WHEREAS, God’s Word clearly teaches that it belongs to the
essential nature of the Church that it is a physical gathering, an
assembly of believers (Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor 11:17–18, 33; Heb.
10:25; AC VII; VIII); and
WHEREAS, In accordance with the keys conferred upon the pastor
by virtue of his call (1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Peter 5:1–4; AC XIV; Walther’s
Theses on the Ministry V; VII), the pastoral office is responsible for
oversight of the administration of the Sacrament; and
WHEREAS, No theological rationale, (i.e., application of the
principally relevant texts [sedes doctrinae] of Holy Scripture or the
Lutheran Confessions) for the novel practice of “online” or
“virtual” Communion has existed within the Lutheran tradition or
the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar has been established by
our Lord according to His words of institution, commanding
literally “This keep on doing” (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24–25) which
indicates that this use of the Sacrament should be kept according to
his institution and that “there is no sacrament apart from the
instituted use” (FC SD VII 73, ed. Tappert) as set forth by those
same words of institution; and
WHEREAS, In order to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) uniformity in practice has long been
considered desirable from the foundation of the Synod (1847
Constitution Articles I 3; II 4; IV 5; V 14) and remains an endeavor
toward which congregations are encouraged to strive (2019 Const.
Art. III 7); and
WHEREAS, Because congregations that persistently practice
“online” or “virtual” Communion sever church fellowship;
therefore be it
Resolved, That we reject and condemn the practice of “online”
or “virtual” Communion as it is contrary to the Word of God and
the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further