LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 134

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134 CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

WHEREAS, Worship forms which by their nature are contrary to
historic, traditional, scriptural liturgy, and fail to recognize the pri-
mary emphasis of receiving gifts from God above giving gifts to
Him are contrary to such doctrinally pure agendas and hymnals;
therefore be it

Resolved, That our congregations be encouraged to uphold and
promote the historic liturgy which has served the church well
throughout its existence; and be it further

Resolved, That our congregations reject the use of such worship
forms contrary to our Synod’s doctrinal stance; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Central Illinois District in convention for-
ward this as a memorial to the 1998 synodical convention.

Central Illinois District

2-26

To Add Introduction to Ten
Commandments in Catechism

WHEREAS, In Exodus 20, whén God gave the Ten Command-
ments, He said, “I am the Lord your God”; and

WHEREAS, Tappert in The Book of Concord, footnote 2, page
342, states, “In some editions since the sixteenth century, ‘I am the
Lord your God’ was printed separately as an introduction to the en-
tire Decalogue”; and

WHEREAS, God in Exodus 20, in stating “I am the Lord your
God,” indicated that He has given freedom and now asks for righ-
teousness and worship: and

WHEREAS, It is important that we have reason to keep these
rules before us since the words “I am the Lord your God” is the
Gospel of love before the Law; and

WHEREAS, The words “I am the Lord your God” have already
been printed as an introduction to the Ten Commandments in This
Is the Christian Faith published by Concordia Publishing House,
page 9; therefore be it.

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention in 1998 direct Concordia Publishing House to print the
words “I am the Lord your God” as a separate introduction to the
Ten Commandments on page 9 of the 1991 edition of Luther’s
Small Catechism.

Immanuel
Random Lake, WI

2-27

To Request Postponement of Proposed Hymnal

WHEREAS, The Commission on Worship of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has announced its intention to prepare a
new hymnal by the year 2007 (Reporter, January 1997); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Hymnal and Lutheran Worship serve
well the worship needs of the Lord’s church; and ,

WHEREAS, There is a lack of consensus among Missouri Synod
Lutherans at this time regarding worship form and practice; and

WHEREAS, The companion books (Altar Book, Agenda, Hymnal
Companion, Lutheran Worship: History and Practice, Concor-
dance to Lutheran Worship) have only recently been completed;
and

WHEREAS, There is significant cost and time required to develop
a new hymnal at a time when the funds available to the Commis-
sion on Worship and the time and effort of the members and staff
of the Commission may best be spent bringing consensus to wor-
ship form and practice; and

WHEREAS, While new liturgies seem unnecessary at the present
time, many worthy hymns not currently familiar are worthy of dis-
semination; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District in convention re-
quest postponement of the development of a new hymnal until the

Synod in convention directs development of such a hymnal; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Southern*I!linois District in convention re-
quest that the Commission on Worship develop one or more sup-
plements containing only hymns for dissemination in the Synod;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District request that the
Commission on Worship spend the majority of its finances and
time promoting consensus in worship matters in accord with the
Word of God through events such as the “Real Life Worship” con-
ferences; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District in convention
memorialize the Synod in convention to adopt a similar resolution
directing the Commission on Worship to postpone development of
a new hymnal until directed by the Synod in convention.

Southern Illinois District

2-28

To Practice Private Absolution

Wuereas, Martin Luther wrote in his Large Catechism, Exhor-
tation (32): “Therefore, when I urge you to go to confession, I am
simply urging you to be a Christian”; and

WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession (XI 1) states: “It is taught
among us that private absolution should be retained and not al-
lowed to fall into disuse’; and

WHEREAS, The Smalcald Articles (III, VIII 1) state: “Since ab-
solution or the power of the keys, which was instituted by Christ in
the Gospel, is a consolation and help against sin and a bad con-
science, confession and absolution should by no means be allowed
to fall into disuse in the church, especially for the sake of timid
consciences and for the sake of untrained young people who need
to be examined and instructed in Christian doctrine” [John
20:20-23; Luke 10:16; Matt. 11:28]; and

WHEREAS, In the very early days of our Synod, most congrega-
tions practiced private absolution: and

WHEREAS, The majority of the congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod do not practice private absolution in
keeping with the teaching of the Lutheran Confessions; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its commit-
ment to the historic doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Confes-
sions and of Luther himself; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod strongly urge all congregations to
offer this Sacrament to their people (Ap VIII 4): “The genuine
sacraments, therefore, are Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and abso-
lution [which is the sacrament of penitence,] for these rites have
the commandment of God and the promise of grace. which is the
heart of the New Testament”; and be it further

Resolved, That every pastor of the Synod be a confessor him-
self, setting a good example to the flock; and be it finally

Resolved, That each Circuit Counselor be encouraged to fulfill
this office for the sake of the congregations under his care.

Immanuel
Terre Haute, IN

2-29

To Encourage Use of Private Confession
and Absolution

WHEREAS, The practice of private confession and absolution
was retained at the time of the Reformation:

“It is taught among us that private absolution should be retained
and not allowed to fall into disuse” (AC XI); and

“Confession has not been abolished by the preachers on our
side. The custom has been retained among us of not administering