LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 72

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72 SYNODICAL REPORTS

Worship Services”). The Commission reports the following regard-
ing these assignments.

As part of the study called for in the 1995 assignment, the Com-
mission considered a draft on “Man as Male and Female: Created
in the Image of God” dealing with foundational questions on the
relationship of male and female. While working on this study, the
Commission requested and received reactions from a panel of re-
actors (appointed prior to the completion of its 1998 report on Bib-
lical Revelation and Inclusive Language), the faculties of the
Synod’s two seminaries, the theological faculties of the Synod’s
ten colleges/universities. and the Council of Presidents. Following
extended discussion of this paper, the Commission decided not to
adopt this document. It did, however, recommend that it be pub-
lished in one pf the seminary journals “as a contribution to the on-
going discussion of these issues in the LCMS.” The drafter of the
document subsequently informed the Commission that he decided
not to make use of this offer.

Taking into account the Synod’s previously stated position on
the lay reading of the Scriptures (1989 Res. 3-14 “To Address Ap-
propriate Roles of Women and Men in Worship”), and in consulta-
tion with the President of the Synod, the Commission removed
from its agenda the preparation of a separate report on women lec-
tors, deciding to consider the matter in its larger study on women in
the church.

In 1994, the Commission completed its report on The Service
of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices. Accompany-
ing this report was a “Dissenting Opinion” signed by five members
of the Commission. The report and the dissenting opinion were in-
cluded in Appendix I of the 1995 Convention Workbook (pp.
310-13), together with a detailed response to the dissenting opinion
prepared by the Commission’s Executive Committee (pp. 313-17).
The 1995 convention of the Synod, in Res. 3-06A, commended the
Commission for its work and asked the members of the Synod to
study the report and the dissenting opinion and to respond during
the 1995-1998 triennium. The Synod further asked the CTCR, in
consultation with the faculties of the seminaries, to continue to
study the issues contained in the report and dissenting opinion, tak-
ing into account the responses received. During the 1995-1998 tri-
ennium the Commission received only three responses to its report,
and none since 1998—though the Commission is aware that inter-
est in this issue remains high in the Synod.

4. Review of Left Behind Materials

In September 2002, President Kieschnick requested that the
CTCR, in light of its new responsibilities in the area of religious
organizations and movements, review the topic of “the popular Left
Behind series of books” and that it “prepare a statement on it that
will be helpful to our people as they exercise discernment when
reading such literature.” The Commission is nearing the comple-
tion of this assignment.

5. Eighth Commandment

In October 2002, President Kieschnick requested that the CTCR
“prepare a study on the explanation to the Eighth Commandment
found in Luther’s Large Catechism.” He specifically asked that this
study “include the historical context of this explanation in the Large
Catechism, an analysis of our current context, and guidelines for
the application of the explanation to our current context especially
in regard to public rebuke of public sin.” The Commission has as-
signed this study to one of its standing committees.

6. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships

During the 1998-2001 triennium the Commission devoted it-
self to the Synod’s 1998 request to prepare a study on church fel-
lowship. This triennium the Commission resumed work on the final
stage of an assignment of the Synod originating in 1981 and re-

2004 Convention Workbook

questing that the CTCR prepare “practical guidelines . . . to assist
officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individuals in the
Synod, in determining which practices and activities are appropri-
ate to the various levels of inter-Lutheran and inter-Christian rela-
tionships in which the Synod is involved” (Res. 3-03A). In prepar-
ing this study the Commission is taking into account a request of
the 2003 Nebraska District convention that the CTCR “develop a
study document clarifying issues of unionism and syncretism we
face today.”

7. Bioethics

The Commission has an ongoing assignment from the Synod
(beginning with 1977 Res. 3-26, and included in Bylaw 3.925 b 3)
to provide guidance on issues raised by developments in biomed-
ical research and the life sciences. The Commission is now work-
ing on a follow-up study of its report on cloning, What Child Is
This?

8. Dissent to 2001 Resolution 3-08B

In a letter dated January 31, 2002, a pastor of the Synod sub-
mitted a formal! expression of dissent to 2001 Res. 3-08B “To Ad-
dress Needs and Opportunities for Pastoral Ministry in Specialized
Situations.” In his letter he states that his “dissent concerns the con-
tinued endorsement by the Synod of so-called ‘lay ministers’ or
‘lay deacons’ preaching, teaching, and administering the sacra-
ments in congregations without a ‘regular call’ (Augsburg Confes-
sion and Apology Article XIV),” stating his belief that the Synod
“has adopted an amendment to the Augsburg Confession thereby
altering it in violation” of the constitution of the Synod. The Com-
mission has assigned this dissent to one of its standing committees.

9. Questions for Clarification from Atlantic District Board of
Directors and Praesidium

The Board of Directors and Praesidium of the Atlantic District
in April 2002 submitted two questions to the CTCR for its “con-
sideration and clarification” concerning section V. B. “Cases of
Discretion” in the Commission and President’s “The Lutheran Un-
derstanding of Church Fellowship: A Report on Synod Discus-
sions” (2001 Convention Workbook, pp. 50-51) commended for
“continued use and guidance” by the Synod in 2001 Resolution 3-
O7A. At its April 2002 meeting, the Commission decided to re-
spond to these questions following the completion of its assign-
ment on “civic events.”

10. Same-Sex Civil Unions

In a memorandum dated February 13, 2004, President Kieschnick
requested that the Commission “do a theological study of issues”
raised by the question of same-sex civil unions. He specifically asked,
“In the on-going debate in our country regarding the definition of
marriage, what can we as a confessional Lutheran church say about
same-sex civil unions?” Although these unions are clearly contrary
to the will of the Creator, said President Kieschnick, questions need to
be addressed about the church’s response to legislation that may arise
in the civil realm related to this issue. The Commission at its February
2004 meeting assigned this request to one of its standing committees.

C. Requests for Theological Opinions
1. Request from Atlantic District Pastors Conference

In April 2002, the Atlantic District Pastoral Conference re-
quested the CTCR and the Commission on Constitutional Matters
to respond to four questions pertaining to synodically adopted doc-
trinal statements and resolutions and “to advise Synod” concern-
ing what it means to “honor and uphold” them. At its September
2002 meeting the Commission adopted the following response: