LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 30

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30 SYNODICAL REPORTS

sensus on worship in our Synod is going to take some time. If it
took several decades to reach our current situation, it is unrealistic
to think that we as a Synod can solve our disagreements about wor-
ship with just a few meetings and a report. The task before the
commission is now to determine how it might build on the fruitful
dialogue that was experienced this past year and repeat it through-
out the Synod in a variety of different venues.

Fourth, there is consensus that doctrine is a critical component
in our discussions. Again and again we heard of the importance of
faithfully delivering the Good News of forgiveness in Jesus Christ
to lost sinners. Clearly, it is not sufficient simply to say that doc-
trine is important. In order to build true consensus, it will be nec-
essary to turn to the specific teachings of Holy Scripture and our
Lutheran Confessions and to examine how these a are expressed in
worship.

As the commission looks to the future, it has identified several
areas that need to be addressed. First, it ts necessary to gather fac-
tual data on how worship is actually being conducted in our con-
gregations. In both the reports and our discussion it was evident
that no one knows exactly what is being done. Some of the confu-
sion that pervades our discussions is the result of using generic
terms like “contemporary,” “traditional,” and “blended.” These
designations and others words designed to replace them have so
many different meanings that, in many cases, they mean practically
nothing. In order to speak intelligently on this issue, it will be help-
ful to have a more accurate understanding of how our congrega-
tions currently worship.

A second area that the commission will need to address con-
cers communication both from and to the Synod. Just as the re-
gional teams benefited from a broad range of input, so can the com-
mission gain a better understanding of this issue through deliberate,
ongoing dialogue. Additionally, the commission will reexamine its
communication to the Synod, exploring how it might better “de-
velop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran her-
itage in Christian worship” (Bylaw 3.928 a).

The Commission on Worship has not yet determined how best
to carry on the process that has begun. Clearly, progress has been
made, if only in demonstrating that this divisive issue can be ad-
dressed in a charitable and productive manner. While the number
of participants has been limited thus far, there is every indication
that seeds have been planted for further growth. Those who partic-
ipated in this process have had their horizons expanded and their
assumptions challenged. They have been forced to rethink their po-
sitions and to become better acquainted with other perspectives. It
is our prayer that even now these participants are acting as leaven
in their own congregations and Circuits as they rethink their own
practice and initiate dialogue with others.

As the commission looks toward the new triennium, it will give
serious consideration to ways of involving more people in this
process. We will explore the possibility of developing models for
dialogue and consensus-building at the District and Circuit levels.
We will develop a process for gathering factual] information con-
cerning the worship life of our congregations. Finally, a long-term
project of developing guidelines for worship will continue, utilizing
insights from the consensus-building process. The commission
looks forward to the opportunity of building on the solid beginning
that has been laid in this process, remembering that consensus can-
not come from ourselves but only from the Lord as we fear, love,
and trust in Him by faithfully proclaiming the whole counsel of sal-
vation.

Lutheran Hymnal Project

In its report to the 1998 convention, the commission gave a ra-
tionale for preparing a new/revised hymnal for Synod and provided
a timetable for accomplishing this task. In response to 1998 Res.
2-12, “To Encourage Work to Begin on a New Hymnal,” consider-

2001 Convention Workbook

able progress has already been made. This report will briefly high-

light some of that work and then review the timetable for the

project.

Five committees ranging in size from six to nine members have
been established and are chaired by the following: Liturgy (Ronald
Feuerhahn), Hymnody (Stephen Starke), Lectionary (Arthur Just),
Translations (Gene Edward Veith), and Agenda (Roger Pittelko).
Each committee is able to establish working groups composed of
additional members in order to spread the work around. Close to
100 people have been involved directly in some aspect of the work.
This number will grow considerably in the next triennium.

Liturgy Committee. The committee anticipates four settings of
the Communion liturgy in the new hymnal: the page 15 service
from The Lutheran Hymnal; Divine Service II, First Setting, from
Lutheran Worship; a new musical setting; and a new hymnic set-
ting similar to the one in Hymnal Supplement 98. The new musical
setting will be chosen from a competition in which any interested
composer may enter. Other services for morning and evening
prayer and a Service of the Word will also be included. The com-
mittee is striving to eliminate confusing options and unnecessary
rubrics in order to simplify the use of the liturgies.

Hymnody Committee. Our current hymnals and supplements
have been carefully examined to determine which hymns will be
included in the new hymnal. 450 hymns have been identified as al-
most certain to be included, and both their texts and music have
been carefully examined. The committee will now turn its atten-
tion to new hymns and ethnic and global hymns. Members of
Synod’s congregations have been invited to submit new hymns.
The committee intends to provide standard four-part harmoniza-
tions for the hymns and to be more circumspect in the updating of
language. In some cases, previously updated texts will be returned
to their original forms (e.g., “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” instead
of “My Faith Looks Trustingly”). The committee anticipates in-
cluding a total of 600 hymns.

Lectionary Committee. Both revised three-year and one-year
lectionaries will be included. Revisions to the current three-year
lectionary will take into account some of the changes found in the
Revised Common Lectionary. Also, some readings are being
changed so that they relate more closely to each other. The com-
mittee has set the goal—space permitting—of including the entire
Psalter in the hymnal. A variety of worship-planning aids will be
prepared to assist pastors and musicians.

Translations Committee. This committee has oversight of all
language and style issues. The committee members will examine
all texts and work to bring a stylistic uniformity to the entire proj-
ect. They will also determine the final choice of a Bible translation
for the hymnal and Agenda. Toward that end, a comparative study
of available translations will be released by the beginning of 2002,
and pastors and teachers will be encouraged to study it carefully
and submit their reactions.

Agenda Committee. All rites in our current Agenda are being
revised. In addition, new rites will be added in a number of areas
not currently covered. The Agenda will be printed in two volumes.
The first will contain the rites used in corporate worship. The sec-
ond will be designed to serve the pastor in his daily work of visita-
tion and counseling. It will contain Scripture and prayer resources
for scores of pastoral care situations both common and unique to
the pastoral ministry.

There are a number of companion volumes that are being
planned in conjunction with the hymnal.

* Several worship planning volumes will be published that assist in
better understanding the liturgy and in providing resources for
the lectionaries. These will include exegetical and homiletical
helps on the readings.

* A two-volume daily prayer book for laity will include psalms,
Bible readings, devotional writings, hymns, and prayers for every