LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 128

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128 CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

most profitable, beneficial, and salutary for good order, Christian
discipline, evangelical decorum, and the edification of the church”
(FC SD X 9); and

WHEREAS, Martin Chemnitz defined “good order,” “Christian
discipline,” “evangelical decorum,” and “the edification of the
church” in his Examination of the Council of Trent (4 vols. [CPH,
1971-86], 1:267-71), and he taught that these are the sure apos-
tolic marks of Christian worship; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod hereby urges its congregations to
evaluate all of their worship materials according to these apostolic
marks as defined by Chemnitz.

Christ, Oak Park, IL; Trinity, San Jose, CA; Our
Redeemer, Forsyth, IL; Our Redeemer, Peekskill, NY;
Bethany, Fort Wayne, IN; Messiah, Kenosha, WI

2-06

To Encourage Styles of Worship

WHEREAS, There is a diversity of cultural values and communi-
cation systems within the world to which we are called to minis-
ter; and

WHEREAS, There is also a diversity of worship style currently
being used to reach out to the world; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage the Synod’s Commission on Wor-
ship to be receptive to the continuing study, development, and use
of alternative worship styles faithful to the Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod, Districts, Circuits, and congregations
be encouraged to continue with an active discourse, through the
various avenues available, the positive usage of such styles.

Pacific Southwest District

To Abide by Art. VI of Constitution
re Doctrinally Pure Hymnals

WHEREAS, Art. VI of Synod’s Constitution, “Conditions of
Membership,” lists as one such condition, “exclusive use of doc-
trinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and
school”; and

WHEREAS, Surveys reveal that an increasing number of congre-
gations in the Synod are not using the hymnals “prepared” or “au-
thorized” by the Synod, thus diminishing our “walking together”
(Synod) in the vital area of worship life; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod remind its members of their mutual
pledge to one another when they signed our Constitution and
thereby agreed to the exclusive use of “doctrinally pure” hymn-
books, “prepared” and “authorized” by the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Circuit Counselors of the Synod be specifi-
cally instructed to receive from the pastors and congregations of
their Circuits the assurance that they will adhere to Art. VI of our
constitution that calls for the exclusive use of doctrinally pure
hymnbooks.

St. Paul

Brookfield, IL

2-08

To Commend Use of Historic Lutheran Liturgies

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

WHEREAS, according to Art. VI of the LCMS Constitution a
condition of membership in the Synod is an “exclusive use of doc-
trinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and
school”; therefore be it

Resolved, That only the hymnbooks, The Lutheran Hymnal or
Lutheran Worship be regularly used throughout our Synod; all
other “special” worship forms to be approved before use by a doc-
trinal review committee of Synod.

St. John
Waterbury, CT

2-09

To Affirm Profitable and Edifying Worship

WHEREAS, The worship of God is both commanded and demon-
strated in Scripture and the object of all worship is God Himself,
the Father (Rev. 4:6—11), the Son (Rev. 5:9-14), and the Holy
Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17; Rom. 8:9; and Matt. 28:19); and

WHEREAS, Scripture consistently proclaims both Law and
Gospel as necessary for mankind’s understanding and appreciation
for God’s Word and that it is the Gospel alone that extricates one
from the condemnation of the Law (Rom. 1:16); and

WHEREAS, The means by which the Scripture mandates ex-
pressing the full counsel of God is through the Word and Sacra-
ment; and

WHEREAS, Our Confessions also state, ““We further believe,
teach and confess that the community of God in every place and at
every time, has the nght, authority, and power to change, to reduce,
to increase ceremonies according to its circumstances ... but in an
orderly and appropriate way, as at any time may seem to be most
profitable, beneficial, and salutary for the good order, Christian dis-
cipline, evangelical decorum, and the edification of the Church”
(FC SD x 9); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention acknowledge the scriptural and confessional position which
has historically encouraged congregations to use worship forms
which are in keeping with the Word of God and appropriate for the
community of God in every place and at every time; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod synod-
ical convention affirm the use of worship forms, both traditional
and other varieties which are in accord with Lutheran teaching and
confession, so that “worship may be most profitable and edifying to
the community of God (FC Epitome x 4).

Our Savior
Lansing, MI

2-10

To Reaffirm Use of Traditional Liturgy

WHEREAS, the “Divine Service” or the “traditional liturgy” of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (i.e., TLH, p. 15; LW, p.
136) is not a “German” development but rather traces much of its
origin to the very beginnings of Christianity and its first four cen-
turies; and

WHEREAS, most of this “traditional liturgy” comes straight from
the Scripture; and

WHEREAS, Col. 3:16 outlines the basic elements of Christian
worship drawn from the richness of the Old Testament church; and

WHEREAS, Acts 2:42 reminds us of the four “marks of the
church,” realized in the worship life of the church; and

WHEREAS, The structure of the “traditional liturgy” covers the
important expressions of the means of grace offered and appropri-
ate responses from God’s people gathered in true worship; and

WHEREAS, The very worship expression of the people reflects
the very theology of the church, or the liturgy can have direct in-
fluences on the theology of the church (i.e., “‘as goes the liturgy, so
goes the theology’’); and

WHEREAS, Some LCMS congregations have nearly, if not com-
pletely, abandoned the “traditional liturgy,” rather offering on Sun-
day morning all manner of homespun varieties in worship which, at