LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 79

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 79

: CTCR support the President of the LCMS in his
address this issue and as he appeals to the ELCA
vard acceptance and approval of homosexual be-
ed in these developments, as they conduct their
1 on this matter “in the light of the biblical under-
-xuality and the qualifications for the pastoral of-
y

he CTCR encourage the Praesidium to consider
ments in its evaluation of pastoral working rela-
he ELCA and the LCMS as mandated by 2001
esolution 3-21A..

7, 2003
Jeration

he Synod was invited by the Lutheran World
is a guest at its Tenth Assembly, held in Win-
1-31, 2003, and to bring greetings to the As-
he LCMS. President Kieschnick accepted this
ithe Assembly during its July 22 session. The
Director also attended this Assembly of the
eetings in behalf of the International Lutheran
Council. The President and the Executive Director gave reports to
the CTCR at its September 2003 meeting.

§. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod/Evangelical Lutheran
Synod

The President of the Synod reported to the Commission at its
September 2003 meeting that in August 2003, he had sent letters
to the WELS and ELS inviting them “‘to discuss together possible
ways for us to address those areas of disagreement which stand in
the way of church fellowship between our churches, and also to
discuss ways that we can support and assist each other as we face
contemporary attacks against the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The Pres-
ident reported at the CTCR’s December 2003 meeting that both
churches had declined this invitation.

C. Lutheran/Roman Catholic Dialogue

The LCMS had been a full participant in all U.S.A. dialogues
between Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the U.S.A. from 1965
until the most recent round, which began in 1996. Serving as an
observer to this round of discussions from the LCMS is Dr. Charles
Arand, Chairman of the Systematics Department at Concordia
Seminary in St. Louis. The LCMS has expressed its strong desire to
be involved in the next round of discussions as a full participant.

D. National Council of Churches

The LCMS is not a member of the National Council of
Churches. On the recommendation of the CTCR, however, the Ex-
ecutive Director participates in the NCC’S Faith and Order Com-
mission as a representative from a nonmember church body and
regularly reports to the CTCR on developments in this commis-
sion. The Faith and Order Commission meets twice a year.

IIL. Religious Organizations and Movements
1. Review of A Growing Concern: The Rise of Mormonism

In light of correspondence from Gordon B. Hinckley, President
of the Church*of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and in view of
questions raised about the content of this document—a statement
previously issued by the President’s Office—the President of the
Synod asked the Commission to review this statement. The Com-
mission’s standing committee responsible for work on such issues
forwarded to the President a suggested response.

2. Loyal Order of Moose

In a letter dated July 10, 2002, to the CTCR’s Executive Direc-
tor, the Mooseheart Protestant Chaplain expressed the interest of
himself and the General Director of the Moose Lodge “‘in facilitat-

ing dialogue” with LCMS “‘in the hope that we can address the cur-
rent status of our relationship.” He asked for “a list of specific ob-
jections and possible solutions from the perspective of the LCMS.”
Following the April 2003 CTCR meeting, the Executive Director
responded upon the recommendation of the Commission’s appro-
priate standing committee, indicating that an updated LCMS eval-
uation is being prepared and can possibly serve as a basis for dis-
cussions with this lodge.
Loren Kramer, Chairman
Samuel H. Nafzger, Executive Director

Endnotes

1. Down through history the term teacher has been used to refer
to persons who serve as instructors in matters of Biblical teaching.
For example, Philip Melanchthon during Reformation times and,
in more recent times in the LCMS, Martin Franzmann served as
“teachers of theology” at schools preparing men to hold the pas-
toral office without themselves holding this office.

2. Certainly, a marriage partner with emotional, mental or phys-
ical disorders which affect relations with the other, should not
refuse reasonable attempts to deal with and treat the underlying dis-
order. Whether the refusal to do so allows the partner to seek di-
vorce even in light of the disorder depends, of course, on the total-
ity of the circumstances. Husband and wife each owe to the other
the fulfillment of marital obligations. In situations where there is a
failure to fulfill those obligations, each owes to the other the will-
ingness to seek reconciliation.

R3-02
Commission on Doctrinal Review

Since the last convention of the Synod in 2001, the Commission
has both upheld and denied appeals initiated in the past triennium. It
also supported the decision made by two former Commissions,
which had twice accepted material submitted for doctrinal review.
The members of the Commission appreciate the honest and fraternal
spirit shown by those involved in the appeals and are thankful for
the gracious manner in which decisions were received. That the
number of appeals is small is both heartening and suggests that the
review process is working as authors, editors, and reviewers all seek
to serve the Synod and the wider church through a range of publi-
cations faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions—yet
another important part in pursuing One Mission—ADlaze!

Robert Rosin, Chairman

R3-03

Report of the Praesidium
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
In Response to 2001 LCMS
Convention Resolution 3-21A:
“To Address Cooperative Pastoral Working
Arrangements with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America”

At its 2001 convention, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
resolved “that current cooperative pastoral working arrangements
with the ELCA be evaluated by the Praesidium with results and
recommendations reported to the next synodical convention” (Res-
olution 3-21A). In its single “Whereas,” the resolution notes that
“The Evangelica] Lutheran Church in America is in altar and pulpit
fellowship (‘full communion’) with Reformed church bodies, the
Episcopal Church, and the Moravian Church.” The resolution,
therefore, expressed a consensus of the LCMS, in convention, that

2004 Convention Workbook