LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 127

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2. CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

2-01

To Commend Regular Use of Historic Liturgy

WHEREAS, The LCMS properly has worshiped God “in Spirit
and in Truth,” “Thy Word is Truth” (John 4:24; 17:17) with the use
of our traditional liturgies; and

WHEREAS, These liturgies are primarily comprised of “The
Word of Truth” proclaiming Christ, the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world; and

Wuereas, We acknowledge that a particular “liturgy” is not de-
creed by God, but has served the worshiping believers of our
LCMS for 150 years, and thereby acknowledges our unity of faith
and practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage all congregations to maintain or
reinstate the use of our historic liturgies to the praise, glory, and
honor of our triune God.

St. James
Scottsbluff, NE

2-02

To Commend Use of Historic Liturgical Orders

WHEREAS, In recent years there has been an erosion of the use of
historic Lutheran worship forms in a significant number of our con-
gregations; and

WHEREAS, According to Art. VI of the Constitution of the
Synod a condition for membership in the Synod is an “exclusive
use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in
church and school”; and

WHEREAS, Congregations are in need of guidance in the doc-
trine and practice of the Lutheran liturgy, utilizing the best in our
tradition; therefore be it

Resolved, That all departments and auxiliary organizations of
the Synod submit literature related to worship to the Commission
on Worship for review and approval; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship continue to sponsor
Real Life Worship Conferences to instruct pastors, church musi-
cians, and laity in the confessional Lutheran theology of Divine
Service and parish practice appropriate to this theology.

Mount Hope
Casper, WY

2-03

To Require Congregations to Follow
Liturgical and Fellowship Practices

WHEREAS, It is pleasing to the Lord that all matters in His
church be done decently an in order (1 Cor. 14); and

WHEREAS, The Gospel prospers in the life of a parish where
there is consistent doctrine and practice throughout the life of a
parish and in neighboring parishes; and

Wuereas., Holy Scripture bids us be of “one mind” (1 Cor. 1),
and that we together confess and practice apostolic doctrine as in-
dividual parishes and as the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions teach Christ’s demand for
the truth of doctrinal unity and support the apostolic unity of prac-
tice in doctrinal matters (Acts 1-2, 15); and

WHEREAS, There are parishes in the LCMS which have per-
sisted in tolerating false doctrine and errant practice in their litur-
gical life, plus violations of Christ’s and the apostles’ practice of
close(d) Communion; therefore be it

Resolved, That no vacant parish shall call a rostered clergyman
until a thorough visitation has occurred by the District President or
his representative; and be it further

Resolved, That such visitation shall assess the parish with re-
gard to the following:

1. Are the hymnals in weekly use and does a Lutheran liturgical
ethos predominate in the life of the parish?

2. Are children being taught the orthodox hymnody enshrined in
our official hymnals?

3. Is the parish faithfully practicing close(d) Communion in
conformity to apostolic practice and as repeatedly urged by the
Synod in convention?

4. Are adult and youth catechumens taken through a rigorous
and in-depth study of the Lutheran faith and life in accord with
Luther’s small and large catechisms?

5. Is the parish faithfully adhering to the Synod’s Constitution
in all matters?

6. Are there female elders, contrary to the apostolic doctrine of
Synod?

7. Have unionistic practices occurred, joint worship and prayer
services with non-LCMS parishes, or has the parish permitted its
pastor to participate in such services?

and be it further

Resolved, That no call be issued or processed until the parish
under visitation has been shown where it is in violation of the doc-
trine and practice of the Synod, instructed in the same, and begun
to correct the situation; and that no call be issued until the parish
has clearly indicated its willingness to do so; and be it further

Resolved, That no parish which through the course of two visi-
tations has refused to abide by synodical doctrine and practice, be
allowed to issue a call to a rostered candidate, nor be granted the
privilege of sending delegates to participate in the political struc-
ture of the Synod at any level (Circuit, District or Synod); and be it
further

Resolved, That a parish which persists in such doctrine or prac-
tice contrary to the Constitution of the Synod be removed from the
roster of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That a District President who refuses to carry out
such visitation faithfully, shall be considered derelict in his duties
and subject to removal from office by the synodical President.

Trinity, Iuka, IL; Messiah, Middletown, OH

2-04

To Insist That Heterodox Worship Materials
Be Removed from Use in Congregations
WHEREAS, Art. VI of the Synod’s Constitution requires “Exclu-

sive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in
church and school”; and

WHEREAS, Use of such materials is a condition of membership
in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), and

Wuereas, Lutheran Worship was published in 1982 precisely
because the Lutheran Book of Worship had been rejected for use
in congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That congregations of the LCMS be reminded of their
obligation to use doctrinally pure hymnbooks; and be it further

Resolved, That District Presidents be reminded of their consti-
tutional responsibility to exercise appropriate discipline.

Our Redeemer, Forsyth, IL; Bethany, Fort Wayne, IN

2-05

To Evaluate Worship Life According
to Apostolic Marks of Christian Worship

Wuereas, A Christian congregation has the right to change, re-
duce, or increase worship ceremonies according to its circum-
stances (FC SD X 9); and

WHEREAS, That right is accompanied by the responsibility to
make such changes in worship “without frivolity and offense but
in an orderly and appropriate way, as at any time may seem to be