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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 304

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

304

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

WHEREAS, The Society of Creation has, in our view, correctly
stated the truth in its Biblical Subscription which is as follows:
In accordance with LCMS convention resolution 2004 Res. 208A, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, Question 97
[CPH, 1986, p. 106], and A Brief Statement (Adopted 1932, St.
Louis: CPH), all members subscribe to the following statement
of their position on creation:
First, that God created by His power, as described in Genesis 1
and 2, motivated by His love and grace, rather than using
evolution as the vehicle of creation.
Second, that God created mankind in His image, giving them the
ability to respond to Him in worship and service. As a result
mankind has authority to subdue the earth, which is neither a
license to destroy or pollute nor a prohibition against any
changing of the landscape. This authority has been affected by
the fall into sin (Genesis 3).
Third, that each member of the Trinity was involved in creation,
as indicated in Gen. 1:1–3.
Fourth, that creation took place in six twenty-four-hour days
with a day reckoned in accordance with today’s time.
Fifth, that Adam and Eve were real, historical human beings and
that the fall into sin was a real, historical event.
Sixth, that creation occurred in the relatively recent past,
thousands of years ago rather than millions or billions of years
ago (Society of Creation, www.societyofcreation.org/about/).
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) be tasked with updating the position of the LCMS
concerning special creation, young Earth, and a global flood;
and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR not be afraid to contradict the
consensus of secular scientism during the updating of its
position statement; and be it finally
Resolved, That the CTCR and Synod publicize and educate
the member districts, congregations, and individual members as
to the content, significance, and impact of the updated position
statement.
Mt. Olive
Yakima, WA
Ov. 5-28

To Address Use of Technology in Life of the
Church and Ministry of Congregations
WHEREAS, Situations arise in which it is difficult for
congregations to gather; and
WHEREAS, The use of technology in various formats (i.e.,
livestreaming worship, recorded worship, online Bible studies, etc.)
has been a great help in keeping congregations united through the
hearing of God’s Word and also has served the Church with
communicating important information; and
WHEREAS, The use of technology also has its negative aspects,
such as inadvertently encouraging members not to gather as is
commanded by Scripture (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25), creating
confusion with Communion and congregational voting practices,
etc.; therefore be it

2023 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That Mid-South District in convention ask the Synod
to prepare and make available resources that address the use of
technology with its pros and cons in the life of the Church at large
and within the framework of the congregations of the Synod; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention ask the
Synod to direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
to study and provide a document pertaining to the use of technology
in the church and congregations; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention submit this
memorial to the next convention of the Synod.
Mid-South District
Ov. 5-29

To Form Theology of Virtual Worship Task Force
WHEREAS, The pandemic of 2020 has caused many of our
congregations to offer a myriad of different types of “virtual”
worship services via internet platforms to continue proclaiming the
Gospel of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, In many places pastors and church leaders have tried
to make every element of the in-person worship experience
available through these “virtual” means to those parishioners
experiencing these worship services at home; and
WHEREAS, These efforts have led to confusion and even conflict
over what is proper and beneficial and what should not be practiced
“virtually”, particularly in regard to Confession and Absolution and
the Sacrament of the Altar; and
WHEREAS, These technologies and platforms for “virtual”
worship did not exist and were not practiced until recent times and
thus have not been specifically addressed by the historical Lutheran
church in terms of best practices; and
WHEREAS, The congregations of the Synod are to seek to walk
together in doctrine and practice; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod create a task force to identify those
areas of worship where questions of proper practice during “virtual”
worship have arisen and remain in question; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force analyze the areas of question over
and against Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions drawn
from that Word of God; and be it finally
Resolved, That the task force present recommendations as to
what practices are acceptable, what practices should be avoided,
and what practices are free to use or not use in a document to be
adopted by the Synod in convention.
Southern District
Ov. 5-30

To Commend Luther’s Large Catechism with
Annotations and Contemporary Applications
WHEREAS, 2013 Resolution 3-13A, “To Update the Synod’s
Catechetical Materials,” asked the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations (CTCR), in collaboration with the office of the
President and Concordia Publishing House (CPH), to produce a
catechetical compendium that would be “more comprehensive and
apologetic in scope”; and
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 5-12, “To Commend and Encourage Use
of Luther’s Catechisms,” requested that the CTCR, in collaboration