LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 200

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200 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod direct Dr. Barry to ask all former Seminex sup-
porters on the 2001 clergy roster of the LCMS to withdraw their
signatures from any former statement of support of Scminex and
lo sign a statement affirming the inerrancy of the Bible and reject-
ing evolution and the ordination of women as being contrary to
Holy Scripture.

Concordia
Fair Haven, MN

3-131

To Encourage Formation of ‘Daughter’? Church Body

WHEREAS, Since the earliest times in the Christian church, many
situations have arisen where there has been unity in the Gospel of
Jesus Christ even as there has been diversity in practices that have
caused divisions in the church, including controversy over the cir-
cumcision of Gentile Christians (Acts 15 and the Epistle to the
Galatians) and the separation of Barnabas and Paul over missionary
work in Cyprus (Acts 15); and

WHEREAS, Similar situations of unity in the Gospel of Jesus
Christ with diversity in practice have also caused divisions in the
church among members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
and its predecessor entity, including the earliest debates on church
polity, later debates on the place of synodical resolutions in the
doctrinal life of the Synod. more recent controversies at the St.
Louis seminary, and current division over perceived legalism and
uncharacteristic control by synodical leadership; and

WHEREAS, The current environment of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod seems again to be on a course of unhealthy divi-
sion and rancor over practices related to the role of women in the
church, worship styles, and Communion that belie our identity and
definition as a “synod” (walking together) and overlook our cher-
ished heritage set forth in Art. VIL of our Constitution and further
defined by Bylaw 2.39 b; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod gath-
ered in convention in 2001 acknowledge that among our members
there is unity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the view of Scrip-
ture as the inspired, inerrant Word of God, while there is diversity
in biblical interpretation and in congregational practices, especially
with regard to the role of women in the church, worship styles, and
Communion: and be it further

Resolved, That, to avoid the unhealthy rancor and animosity that
can so easily entangle the church and keep it from its primary mis-
sion of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a hurting, sinful
world, the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod give careful study to our historical principles embodied in
Art. VIL and Bylaw 2.39 b and recognize that we are a denomina-
tion that shares the unity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and views
Scripture as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and so encourages
(1) exegetical debate in biblical interpretation and (2) congrega-
tional autonomy in accordance with the constitutional provisions
identified above; and be it further

Resolved, That this study include consideration of processes
whereby members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who
do not desire or elect to act in accordance with these historical un-
derstandings of the freedom encouraged within our unity but in-
stead value uniformity in practice, be offered the opportunity to
join in the birthing of a daughter Lutheran church body that main-
tains fellowship with the historic Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod and allows workers to maintain their status with the worker
benefit programs of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod submit the results of this study to the
District congregations by September |, 2002. for study and possi-
ble implementation by their members.

Trinity
Hudson, WI

2001 Convention Workbook

3-132

To Encourage Private Confession and Absolution

WHEREAS, The Lord has given to His church the gift of Holy
Absolution to be administered for the benefit and comfort of terri-
fied consciences: and

WHEREAS, The Christian church has had a long historical prac-
tice of encouraging her members to avail themselves of the practice
of private confession and Absolution; and

WHEREAS, The Reformers never intended that such practice
should fall into disuse; and

WHEREAS, The founding fathers of the LCMS encouraged her
pastors to gently and evangelically teach and Jead their congrega-
tional members to avail themselves of private confession and Ab-
solution and restore this ancient rite; and

WHEREAS, Our Small Catechism and other confessional writ-
ings, as well as our Lutheran hymnals, encourage the practice of
private confession and Absolution; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage our District congregations and
pastors to engage in a scriptural, confessional, and historical study
of the benefits and blessings private confession and Absolution;
and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage pastors in the District to make
known to their members that private confession and Absolution are
available by appointment or at set times: and be it finally

Resolved, That the Minnesota North District submit this reso-
lution to the 2001 synodical convention.

Minnesota North District

3-133

To Assist in Recovery of Private
Confession and Absolution

Wuereas, Private confession and absolution is regarded highly
by our Lutheran Confessions and prized highly by Luther; and

Wuereas, Although there were errors in its practice in the Mid-
dle Ages, they were alleviated by the Lutheran reformers: and

WHEREAS, Private confession and absolution has many salutary
benefits and is based upon the office of the keys; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the use of
private confession and absolution to the pastors and congregations
of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the biblical, historical, and confessional witness
to private confession and holy absolution be studied by professional
church workers and congregations with a view toward its recovery
in the parishes of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship and the seminaries
of the Synod be directed to produce educational materials, articles,
seminars, and workshops to assist in the recovery of this gift among
us in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Circuit 2 Forum
Ohio District
3-134
To Encourage Baptism of Infants at Earliest
Opportunity

WHEREAS, Our Lord has commanded Holy Baptism and
promises in this means of grace forgiveness, life, and salvation: and

WHEREAS, We all are conceived and born sinful and so are in

need of forgiveness (Ps. 51:5, Eph. 2:3: Rite of Holy Baptism,
Lutheran Worship. p. 199); and

WIIEREAS, There is a tendency among some of our families to
delay the baptism of their infants; therefore be it

Resolved, Thal our pastors continue to encourage families to
have their infants baptized as soon as possible: and be it further