LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 160

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160 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

WHEREAS, Admitting people to the Lord’s Table without a
proper regard for this common confession of faith is neither faithful
to God’s Word nor the Lutheran Confessions, nor is it an act of
love (1 Cor. 11:27-30; AC X; XXII; XXIV; H. P. Hamann, Studies
in Holy Communion (LCA, S.A. District: Church Development
Committee, 1977), pp. 11-14); and

WHEREAS, The practice of close(d) Communion has been the
practice of the Christian church since the days of the apostles
(Werner Elert, Eucharist and Church Fellowship in the First Four
Centuries {St. Louis: CPH, 1966]; N. Nagel, “Closed Communion:
In the Way of the Gospel; In the Way of the Law,” Concordia
Journal, vol. 17, no. 1 [January 1991], pp. 20-29); and

Wuereas, The practice of close(d) Communion was the prac-
tice of Lutheranism since its inception (Martin Wittenberg,
“Church Fellowship and Altar Fellowship in the Light of Church
History,” Logia, vol. 1, no. 1 (October 1992), pp. 23-57; Martin
Luther, “An Open Letter to Those in Frankfort on the Main, 1533,”
trans. J. D. Veiker, Concordia Journal, vol. 16, no. 4 ({October
1990}, pp. 333-51); and

WHEREAS, The practice of close(d) Communion is the historic
practice of the LCMS (C. F. W. Walther Theses on Communion
Fellowship with Those Who Believe Differently [Fort Wayne, Ind.:
Concordia Theological Seminary Press, 1990]); and

WHEREAS, The practice of close(d) Communion seeks to pre-
vent a harmful reception of the Sacrament as well as a false pro-
fession of unity where it does not exist; and

WHEREAS, There is no longer the same uniformity in the prac-
tice of Communion fellowship in the LCMS as there had been in
past years; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable that uniform practice in harmony with
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions be followed in the Synod;
and

WHEREAS, Recent actions taken by the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) approved of intercommunion with the
Reformed, who deny the doctrine of the Real Presence, there is the
necessity for the LCMS to give a strong biblical witness for the his-
toric practice of close(d) Communion; and

WHEREAS, The practice of close(d) Communion also allows for
pastors to give “responsible pastoral care ... including Holy Com-
munion” to those not in pulpit and altar fellowship with the LCMS
(1981 Res. 3-01); therefore be it

Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the LCMS con-
tinue to abide by the historic practice of close(d) Communion,
which includes the exercising of responsible pastoral care in extra-
ordinary circumstances; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors and congregations continue to study
what the Scriptures and the Confessions teach on this matter in
order that greater uniformity in practice would be exercised in the
Synod.

St. Paul
Waseca, MN

3-21

To Reject Position of Florida-Georgia
District on Open Communion

WHEREAS, In regular convention in 1997, the Florida-Georgia
District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod took a position
of advocating open Communion; and

WHEREAS, This action is in direct opposition to the historical
position of our Synod and goes against many synodical resolutions
down through the years; and

WHEREAS, The synodical practice of close(d) Communion is
based solidly upon God’s Holy Word as well as on many clear pas-
sages in the Lutheran Confessions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Florida-Georgia District President, in con-
junction with the synodical President, is hereby directed to frater-
nally instruct and, where needed, admonish synodical members of

the District regarding our Synod’s position on open and close(d)
Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That synodical members of the District who refuse
this instruction and admonition and continue to speak and act in
contrary ways be deemed to be persisting in an offensive conduct
and be expelled by their District President in accordance with the
Constitution and Bylaws of Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That if the Florida-Georgia District President refuses
to carry out these duties, then the synodical Praesidium be given
charge to do so in his place.

. St. Paul
Lockport, IL

3-22

To Address Florida-Georgia District
Concerning Their Communion Practice

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church-—Missouri Synod meeting in
convention in 1967 passed a resolution, and in subsequent conven-
tions reaffirmed “that pastors and congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and
in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those
synods which are now in fellowship with us”; and

WHEREAS, The Florida-Georgia District, in convention on May
19-21 in Leesburg, Fla., resolved that the District “affirm the right
of its pastors and congregations to admit to the Lord’s Table those
who, regardless of denominational affiliation, share our confession
of Christ and our conviction of what He freely offers in the Eu-
charist’’; and

WHEREAS, Such a resolution is disheartening to our Synod for
the following reasons:

It violates Rom. 16:17, where St. Paul says, “I urge you, broth-
ers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in
your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep
away from them”;

It is an act of unionism, accepting any and all denominations to
come to the Lord’s Supper, thus denying unity in doctrine and prac-
tice;

It violates the purpose and spirit of “Close Communion”;

It gives offense to other Christians in the LCMS, as 1 Cor. 8:12
says, “When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound
their weak conscience, you sin against Christ”;

It violates our synodical Constitution and Bylaws; and

WHEREAS, “Situations of emergency,” especially in this case,
has become the rule rather than the exception with regard to com-
muning those not of our confession of faith; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in
Christian love point out the seriousness of this offense; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Florida-Georgia District and its congrega-
tions return to the biblical and historic practice of “Close Commu-
nion,” thus abolishing and abandoning its “Open Communion” pol-
icy; and be it finally

Resolved, That this happen in a God-pleasing manner as we
seek to “walk together,” obeying our Lord Jesus Christ and His
Word, as He Himself promises us: “If you hold to My teaching,
you are really My disciples” (John 8:31).

Circuit 16 Forum
South Wisconsin District

3-23

To Restore Constant Communion Practice
WHEREAS, The Florida-Georgia District in convention passed a
resolution (2.97:04) allowing its congregations to “welcome to the
Lord's Table those who, regardless of denominational affiliation,