LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 124

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124

RESOLUTIONS

The Commission makes this recommendation at this time
in order to avoid the problem of multiple translations of the
Small Catechism creating more confusion in the future.
Because the texts of the Table of Duties passages will
not be included in the LSB, the Commission makes no recommendation on choice of translation at this time.
Resolved, That the 1986 translation of the Small Catechism be retained for all of Luther’s explanations; and be
it further
Resolved, That the English Standard Version be used as
the primary translation in those places where Holy Scripture is quoted in the Small Catechism; and be it finally
Resolved, That the text of the Small Catechism as it is
included in the LSB proposal serve as an approved revision
of the 1986 translation.
Action: Declined (4)
(During lengthy discussion, an amendment to replace omission of with retain and to strike the parenthetical statement (following Luther’s original) in the preamble’s reference to the First
Commandment failed. The unamended resolution also failed [Yes:
580; No: 585].)

To Accept Lutheran Service Book
and Agenda as an Official Service Book
and Hymnal of Synod
RESOLUTION 2-03A
Reports 2-02 (CW, pp. 55–58); L2-02A (TB, p. 28);
Overtures 2-01-03 (CW, p. 143)
Background
In 1998 the Synod adopted Res. 2-12, “To Encourage
Work to Begin on New Hymnal” (1998 CW, p. 110). Following two years of intensive work, the Commission on Worship reported on its progress to the 2001 Synod convention.
In response, the convention passed Res. 2-06, “To Approve
Field-Testing Plan for New Hymnal” (2001 CW, p. 129), in
accordance with Bylaw 3.929 a. During the past triennium,
the Commission has continued development of the hymnal
and agenda and has engaged in extensive field-testing of
proposed materials. Two booklets of materials were sent to
every congregation of Synod and were posted on the Internet. In addition, numerous reports were published in Reporter and The Lutheran Witness. Throughout the process,
feedback was constantly solicited, received, and noted.
WHEREAS, The Commission on Worship has completed
its assignment and has submitted a proposed new hymnal
and agenda, Lutheran Service Book; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Service Book has been extensively
tested, and the Commission on Worship has been responsive to this testing; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, accept the proposed hymnal and agenda as an official service book and
hymnal of the Synod (Bylaw 3.929 a); and be it further
Resolved, That wherever the Nicene Creed appears in
the Lutheran Service Book hymnal and agenda the
Lutheran Worship (1982) translation will appear; and be it
further
Resolved, That in the course of editing the hymnal and
agenda the Commission be granted limited latitude to
make corrections and editorial adjustments, as well as to
2004 Convention Proceedings

omit materials for reasons of space constraints; and be it finally
Resolved, That congregations and other entities of Synod
be encouraged to participate in the introductory process for
the new hymnal.
Action: Adopted (9)
(After its introduction by the committee in session 5, an amendment to add a new resolve after the second resolve, Resolved, That
Divine Service setting one and two of the Lutheran Service Book will
use the communion liturgy from the Preface through the Distribution from Lutheran Worship, failed. A second amendment to add a
final resolve, Resolved, That the translation of Holy Scripture used
in the Lutheran Service Book be chosen by majority vote of the
Synod in convention from among the choices of the NIV, KJV,
NKJV, and ESV, also failed. A third amendment to add a new second resolve, Resolved, That the updated version of the Lord’s Prayer
(as it appears throughout Lutheran Worship) be included as an alternative, side by side with the traditional version, in Divine Service
settings one, two, and four, also failed. When discussion resumed
during session 9, debate was immediately ended and the resolution
was adopted as presented by the committee without amendment
[Yes: 1,014; No: 130].)

To Affirm Responsible Use of Freedom
in Worship
RESOLUTION 2-04
Report 2-02 (CW, pp. 55–58); Ov. 2-04, 2-18-19, 3-38
(CW, pp. 143–144, 147–151, 169); L2-53 (TB, p. 32)
WHEREAS, God is extravagantly rich in His grace (SA
III, 4) and through His means of grace grants His gifts of
forgiveness, life, and salvation; and
WHEREAS, God has granted us freedom in the Gospel;
and
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions recognize that
human rites and ceremonies are not necessary for salvation and yet at the same time acknowledge the usefulness
of these rites, especially insofar as they promote good
order and tranquility in the church (AC VII, 2-3; XXVIII,
55-56; AP VII/VIII, 33; XV, 51; FC SD X 5-9); and
WHEREAS, Our Synod’s Constitution recognizes these
twin poles of freedom and responsibility and encourages
“congregations to strive for uniformity in church practice,
but also to develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony without common profession of faith” (Art. III, 7); and
WHEREAS, There are diverse viewpoints in our Synod
concerning what is appropriate and salutary in corporate
worship; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, affirm respect
for diversity in worship practices as we build greater understanding of our theology of worship and foster further
discussion of worship practices that are consistent with that
theology; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage pastors, musicians, and
worship leaders to exercise this freedom responsibly,
using resources such as Text, Music, Context: A Resource
for Reviewing Worship Materials to assess worship materials; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Worship initiate a
process leading toward the development of diverse worship resources for use in The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod.