LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 164

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164 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

3-26

To Reaffirm and Implement Consistent Practice
of Close Communion

WHEREAS, The Scriptures require both a knowledge of the
Lord’s Supper sufficient for its proper reception and a contrite heart
that trusts Jesus’ Word (1 Cor. 11:27-29); and

WHEREAS, Fellowship at the Lord’s Table is an act of confes-
sion of faith (1 Cor. 10:17); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in conven-
tion (1995 Res. 3-08) addressed the document “A Declaration of
Eucharistic Understanding and Practice” by adopting and reaffirm-
ing Res. 2-19 (1967), which thereby places the entire Synod offi-
cially opposed to “A Declaration of Eucharistic, Understanding and
Practice”; and

WuereEaS, The admission to Holy Communion without a regard
for confession of faith is neither faithful to God’s Word nor an act
of love (Rom. 16:17); and

WHEREAS, The practice of close Communion was officially and
publicly taught and observed by the early church; and

WuereEas, The practice of close Communion is affirmed by our
Lutheran Confessions: “For we do not intend to admit to the sacra-
ment and administer it to those who do not know what they seek or
why they come” (447:2; 575:32f, etc. Tappert); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod from its be-
ginning in 1847 practiced close Communion (see the explanation of
the Smal] Catechism, 1991, question 305); and

WHEREAS, The practice of close Communion seeks to prevent
both harmful reception of the Sacrament as well as a profession of
unity in confession of faith where this unity does not exist (1 Cor.
11:27-29; 1:10); and

WHEREAS, Disparity in the practice of the Lord’s Supper has
created confusion and controversy in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable that uniform practice in harmony with
the theology of the Lord’s Supper be followed in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions’ 1983 report “Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper”
reaffirmed the biblical practice of close Communion believed,
taught, and confessed by the orthodox Lutheran Church for cen-
turies; and

WHEREAS, Some liberal districts are adopting resolutions at their
conventions that are “Open Communion Policy,” which is both
contrary to the Word of God and contrary to the Lutheran Confes-
sions; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
2001 synodical convention reaffirm its position on fellowship and
practice of close(d) Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That the implementation of the consistent practice
shall be a top priority of the District Presidents, who are responsible
for supervision of doctrine and practice of pastors and congrega-
tions in their Districts; and be it finally

Resolved, That the District Presidents report annually to the syn-
odical President on their progress in the implementation of the
above, and that the synodical President prepare a summary by Dis-
trict at the synodical convention.

Salem
Taylorsville, NC

3-27

To Reaffirm Our Time-Honored
Practice of Close Communion

WHEREAS, We affirm the biblical and confessional close Com-
munion position the LCMS has followed through the years; and

Wuereas, Reflecting the Scriptures, Luther states in the Small
Catechism regarding preparation for the Sacrament: “Fasting and
bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that per-

2001 Convention Workbook

son is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words:
‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.’ But anyone
who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and
unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe”;
and

WHEREAS, The Sacrament is the gift to the entire community of
faith; and

WHEREAS, We would seek to discourage the extremes that allow
no room for pastoral discretion in special circumstances; and

WHEREAS, This overture was viewed of sufficient merit to be
passed as Res. 1-02 at the convention of the Northern Illinois Dis-
trict, June 1997; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reaffirm
our time-honored practice of close Communion.

St. John
Mount Prospect, IL

3-28

To Reaffirm and Clarify Policy
on Fellowship and Close(d) Communion

WHEREAS, Reports of worship fellowship with those who are
not in doctrinal agreement with The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod continue to trouble the church; and

Wuereas, The close(d) Communion practice of the Synod has
been under attack in some quarters; and

Wuereas, The Synod in its Constitution, Art. IIT 1, recognizes
the mandate of St. Paul to mark those who cause divisions and of-
fenses contrary to the doctrine which we have learned and avoid
them (Rom. 16:17); and

WHEREAS, The Communion statement in the worship bulletin
has become the standard means of informing guests of the scrip-
tural mandate of fellowship and close(d) Communion: therefore be
it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention assembled reaffirm its position on fellowship and close(d)
Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That we understand this to mean that our pastors are
not to participate publicly as worship leaders with those with whom
the Synod is not in doctrinal fellowship; and be it finally

Resolved, That those who are not members of the LCMS or of a
church body with which the Synod is in full doctrinal fellowship
are not to be communed except in very exceptional circumstances.
Exceptional circumstances do not include Sunday worship.

Zion
Kearney, NE

3-29

To Reaffirm 1986 Synodical Convention Action
re Admission to Holy Communion

WuereEAS, One of the blessings of the Lord’s Supper is to be a
Sacrament of unity (1 Cor. 10:17): and

WHEREAS, There continues to be a need for discussion of the
policies of admission to the Lord’s Supper in LCMS congregations
while upholding the historic practice of close Communion, and

WHEREAS, Due to its clear statement on historic close Commu-
nion and its clear understanding of the need for pastoral discern-
ment in the administration of the Sacrament of the Altar locally.
the best recent convention resolution explanation of the practice of
close Communion occurred in 1986; and

Wurere_as, Recent additions, accretions, and documents have
only served to overdefine and overmanage the administration of
the Sacrament to the point of confusion and division among us,
therefore be it