LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 58

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58 SYNODICAL REPORTS

* Completed 1998 Res. 2-10 assignment through the publication of
_ Text, Music, Context

Goals

¢ Bring the hymnal, agenda, and companion volumes to publica-
tion

* Develop a comprehensive introductory process for the new hym-
nal

¢ Sponsor a second national worship conference in 2005

¢ Develop additional resources to assist pastors and musicians in
their leadership of worship

Resources

¢ Lutheran Hymnal Project Field-Test Manuals

¢“Make Disciples: Baptizing and Teaching” (available at
http://worship.lcms.org/MakeDisciples)

¢*LetUsPray (subscribe via the Synod’s “eNews” at
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/enews/login.asp, selecting
“LetUsPray” in the “Worship” folder)

* Text, Music, Context: A Resource for Reviewing Worship Materi-
als (available from CPH; order no. S05505)

* Text, Music, Context: Study Guide (available at http://worship.
Icms.org/TMCStudyGuide)

* Supplemental inserts to the Reporter

Mark Bender, Chairman
Paul Grime, Executive Director

R2-03
Concordia Publishing House

In 1844, a Lutheran pastor in St. Louis, Missouri, published the
first issue of a newspaper that set hearts ablaze with passion for the
Gospel of Jesus and ignited zeal for God’s Holy Word, as correctly
interpreted by the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of
Concord of 1580. The pastor’s name was C. F. W. Walther. The
newspaper was Der Lutheraner [The Lutheran]. Pastor Walther
was strongly committed to publishing a clear, bold explanation of
what it means to be a Lutheran Christian. He wanted Lutherans to
know, understand, and proclaim with confidence and joy the truths
of the Gospel that God restored to the church at the time of the
Lutheran Reformation.

Three years after Pastor Walther published the first issue of The
Lutheran a new fellowship of Lutheran Christians was formed. It is
known today as The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Pastor
Walther was the first president of the LCMS. Throughout his life,
Pastor Walther was committed to publishing faithful Lutheran ma-
terials for congregations, schools, and homes. He was inspired and
encouraged by dedicated laymen who worked hard to produce
printed resources for our small but growing church body. In 1869,
the Synod started its very own publishing house and gave it a name
held in great esteem and respect, Concordia. At first, Concordia
Publishing House worked out of a small building located between
the old seminary building and Pastor Walther’s house. We soon
outgrew this building and in 1871 moved across the street where
we are still located today. Pastor and Mrs. Walther were no doubt
pleased about the move, since the smoke from the coal-fired,
steam-powered printing presses would often blow into the open
windows of the Walther’s home.

Pastor Walther gave a powerful address at the dedication of
Concordia Publishing House on February 28, 1870, at Holy Cross
Lutheran Church. His words are a powerful reminder why our
Synod has a publishing house and what it is to be and do. Here are
a few excerpts from Walther’s dedication address:

“Luther once said about publishing: ‘It is the highest and last gift
through which God advances the cause of the Gospel. It is the last flame

2004 Convention Workbook

before the extinction of the world.’ At the time of the beginning of
printing, the state of Christendom was lamentable. The popes thought
they could look forward to an unhindered course of conquest—and no
one, certainly not they themselves, imagined that with the letters of the
printing press the gun barrels were already cast that soon would bom-
bard and break through the walls of Roman doctrines and command-
ments of men, which had been substituted for the Word of God, and
would shake at its deepest foundation the whole structure of the Papacy.

“What happened? The man of God, Martin Luther, arose and not
only again preached the old Gospel of free grace and the only salvation
of all sinners in Christ, but also took up his pen and wrote what his
tongue proclaimed. The printing press quickly carried his herald’s word,
as on wings of the winds, in countless pages into all regions of the earth.
Old and new theologians rightly call the art of printing the ‘wings of
the angel’ who, according to the prophecy of the Revelation of St. John,
from the year 1517 onward, flew through the sky of the Church with
the everlasting Gospel. Luther’s 95 theses of 1517 were the first stones
the new shepherd boy gathered from the clear brook of Holy Scripture
to throw against the Roman Goliath, were with the help of the printing
press spread and read in all of Germany within 14 days, throughout all
of Europe within four weeks. Luther then wrote one piece after another,
which fell like manna from heaven on the famished Christians in the
wilderness, but on the enemies of Christ like fire bringing death and de-
struction into their terrified camp. There is no doubt therefore that the
invention of the art of printing, only a short time before Luther, was the
God-ordained, chosen instrument that served the wonderful, speedy
progress of the pure Gospel that was again resounding.

“After God had given the world the splendid gift of the art of print-
ing, He also took care that it would be preserved in the world. So even
today libraries are full of treasuries of books, which are of incalculably
more worth than all the gold and silver of the earth; and still the presses
work day and night to enrich the world with ever new treasures of
books. For that praise be to God in time and eternity!

“It is fitting that we have joyfully gathered here for a festive cele-
bration to dedicate a new publishing house with common prayer and
praise to God. This new publishing house is to serve not the flesh, not
the ungodly thoughts of the world, not error and falsehood, not the
teachings of men, in short, not the devil, but also not half-God and half
the flesh and the world, not half-Christ and half the devil, not half-truth
and half-error and falsehood, not half the Word of God and half the
teachings of men, but God alone, Christ alone, the Word and kingdom
of God alone, the church of Jesus Christ and the truth alone.

“Oh, my dear friends, we have great cause today to arrange for a
festival of joy, now that we are at the point of dedicating a publishing
house belong to God, don’t we? Yes, truly! At a time when not only the
children of unbelief but even some Christians, out of selfishness or for
the sake of popularity use the noble art of printing to publish and sell
books that contain the poison of false doctrine—in such a time we must
Tejoice greatly that the Lord has helped so that today we see before us,
built and gloriously completed, a publishing house that will serve only
God. It is a wonder before our eyes.

“So then, say now with me in your hearts: Our Concordia Publish-
ing House shall be dedicated to God as long as it stands; dedicated to
Him, the All Holy Triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Spirit. From this institution may nothing be sent out except
that which serves the glory of this great God and the temporal welfare
and eternal salvation of all people. Cursed be the hands that write some-
thing contrary to God’s Word so that it may be multiplied through this
publishing house of God! Cursed be those hands that in this institution,
with knowledge and willingness, set type or publish anything contrary
to God’s Word! Cursed be the hands that offer for sale any literature
from this publishing house that has the poison of hell mingled with it!
Cursed be this entire publishing house with all its equipment if the devil
once succeeds to draw it into his service. God’s wrath must then de-
stroy it with fire and wipe it from the face of the earth. On the other
hand, blessed be the hands that write for this institution to God’s honor
and mankind’s salvation! Blessed be the hands that set type and print it!
Blessed be the hands that distribute it! But finally may all be highly
blessed in time and eternity who, in faith, have offered and will still
offer their concern and attention, or earthly means, or at least their
wishes and prayers for this publishing house dedicated to God!

“Yes, may the Lord always permit all who go in and out of our Con- .
cordia Publishing House to walk under His blessing and protection and
may He guard this publishing house according to His almighty power
and goodness from all misfortune and make it a place of blessing, in