LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 143

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CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 143

2-58

To Renew Efforts in Catechetical Instruction

WHEREAS, The Word of God is the only rule and norm of Chris-
tian faith and life; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions, which include Luther’s
Small Catechism, are a faithful exposition of the truth of God’s
Word; and

WHEREAS, The historic hymns and liturgy of the Lutheran
church are also faithful expositions of God’s Word; and

WHEREAS, Some catechetical instruction, especially for adults,
does not stress the use of Luther’s Small Catechism and a Lutheran
hymnal; therefore be it .

Resolved, That pastors and congregations of the Synod renew
their efforts in providing extensive Lutheran catechetical instruc-
tion that uses the Holy Scriptures, Luther’s Small Catechism, and a
Lutheran hymnal with all who desire communicant membership.

Concordia
South Haven, MN

2-59

To Emphasize Need for Instruction in the Word

WHEREAS, Increase in numbers is regarded as a mark of success
in temporal businesses; and

WHEREAS, Some have emphasized growth in numbers as a mark
of spiritual success in evangelism and church work; and

WHEREAS, Every congregation and every Christian has the
obligation both to keep the message straight and to get the message
out; and

WHEREAS, Scripture indicates that God wishes His church to
grow but points quite clearly to the fact that this growth must come
through the working of the Holy Spirit, who works through the
Word that they proclaim rather than through a variety of techniques
developed by men; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations and individuals be reminded that
the gaining of converts must be accomplished by the Holy Spirit,
who works through the Word that they proclaim rather than
through a variety of techniques developed by men; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That congregations be reminded of the importance of
careful instruction in the Word before individuals are accepted into
church membership lest the seed sown be found to have fallen on
stony ground (Matt. 13:3-9).

Concordia
South Haven, MN

To Redefine Synod’s Position
on Recognized Service Organizations (RSO)

WHEREAS, Bylaw 14.03 a, Recognized Service Organizations,
states, “The granting of recognition by the Synod signifies that a
service organization, while independent of the Synod, fosters the
mission and ministry of the church, engages in program activity
that is in harmony with the programs of the boards of the Synod,
and respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and practice
of the Synod”; and

WuereasS, The Synod has recognized joint endeavors with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), such as with
many high schools; and

WHEREAS, The ELCA views the Word of God and the Symbol-
ical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church differently than the
Missouri Synod. The ELCA holds ... That Scripture is not neces-
sarily always accurate or trustworthy ... makes use of methods of
interpreting the Scripture that presuppose that the Bible is not nec-
essarily an errorless book ... [and further, of the Symbolical Books
in the Book of Concord] not as doctrinally binding statements of

faith that require unqualified assent (Dr. Barry’s newsletter, Feb-
ruary 1997, p. 3); and

Wuereas, The ELCA has recently agreed to altar and pulpit fel-
lowship with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church
of Christ, and the Reformed Church in America; and

WHEREAS, The doctrine and practice of the ELCA continues to
move further from the inerrant Word of God; and

Wuereas, Allowing the ELCA to officiate and have a ruling
voice in policy and decision-making positions in such joint en-
deavors condones their doctrine and practice; and

WHEREAS, Such activities lead to further confusion within the
church; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention direct the Board for Congregational Services to restrict
recognition of RSOs to only those organizations that have solely
Missouri Synod members in their ruling, policy, and decision-mak-
ing positions.

Trinity, Westville, IN; St. Paul, Chesterton, IN

2-61

To Improve and Review RSO Recognition Process

WHEREAS, The ELCA in convention (1997) has officially and
solemnly rejected major portions of the Book of Concord; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS Constitution is exceedingly clear in its
rejection of joint work in the Gospel with heterodox entities (Art.
IV); and

Wuereas, The LCMS Board for Congregational Services and
its entities have continued to grant Recognized Service Organiza-
tion status to joint LCMS-ELCA “ministries” which entail more
than “cooperation in externals”; therefore be it

Resolved, That RSO status is no longer granted any entity which
is a joint ministry venture (cooperatio in sacris) of LCMS individ-
uals or entities and individuals or entities connected with hetero-
dox church bodies (including the ELCA) or other heterodox orga-
nizations; and be it further

Resolved, That RSO status for all current RSO organizations be
reviewed such that RSO status be withdrawn from all entities
which are the joint effort of LCMS and ELCA (or other heterodox
entities) such that joint work in the Gospel is involved (including
but not limited to joint schools, joint mission efforts, tract societies,
or any other efforts which entail more than cooperatio in externis );
and be it further

Resolved, That the reviewing entity be the LCMS President in
consultation with the CCM; and be it further

Resolved, That a public notice be printed in The Lutheran Wit-
ness six months previous to a scheduled granting of RSO status to
any entity requesting such status, such that any objections to or
commendations for RSO status may be received from the church
at large in order to assist the President’s office in granting or deny-
ing RSO status; and be it finally ~

Resolved, That the Board for Congregational Services in con-
sultation with the President of Synod and the CCM submit a model
constitution for cooperative school arrangements such that where
heterodox entities are involved, such involvement is limited to
those matters which are purely cooperatio in externis (and not reli-
gious curriculum, leading chapel, choosing faculty, etc.).

Zion, Fort Wayne, IN; University, Minneapolis, MN

2-62

To Require Recognized Service Organizations
to Be Faithful to Our Confession

WHEREAS, Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status is to
be granted those entities which request such status, and which are
not in conflict with the Constitution of the LCMS; and