LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 164

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164 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Res. 3-07A (or the documents to which it refers) should be taken to
mean that it is ever appropriate or acceptable to confuse or mix the
worship of the triune God with the worship of other gods.

Missouri District

3-17

To Clarify Res. 3-07A and Bring Recommendation
re Gatherings Involving Non-Christian Religions
WHEREAS, The LCMS in its 2001 convention commended the
guidelines offered by the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations in the document The Lutheran Understanding of Church
Fellowship, in Res. 3-07A; and
WHEREAS, The document made only a passing reference to sit-
uations involving non-Christians (“For instance, if an invitation re-
quires a pastor to pray to God without mentioning Jesus,”); and
WuerEas, American society is reflecting a rapidly growing re-
ligious diversity; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod request the CTCR to bring to the next
convention a recommendation specifically addressing involvement
in gatherings which include representatives of non-Christian reli-
gions, and be it further
Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention clarify the intent of
Res. 3-07A.
Board of Directors
Texas District

3-18

To Clarify 2001 Res. 3-07A
WHEREAS, God’s Word in Rom. 10:14 says, “How then shall
they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?” (NASB);
and
Wuereas, 2001 Res. 3-07A commended for study the CTCR
document entitled The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellow-
ship; and
WHEREAS, Church fellowship can only be properly understood
to encompass those with faith in Christ; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Greater Egypt Circuit of the Southern IIli-
nois District cal! upon the Synod to declare that 2001 Res. 3-07A
cannot be properly understood or cited as authorizing or permitting
One to invite (or join in) prayer with Muslims, Buddhists, or others
who lack faith in Jesus Christ as their only Savior.
Greater Egypt Circuit Forum
Southern Illinois District

3-19

To Clarify 2001 Res. 3-07A

WHEREAS, The action of the 2001 convention commended “The
Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship and CTCR Report
on the Synodical Discussions” (Res. 3-07A); and

Wuereas, All other religions besides Christianity worship and
pray to false gods; therefore be it

Resolved, That Res. 3-07A cannot possibly be understood to
permit or endorse worship or prayers with Muslims.

Circuit 26 Forum
South Wisconsin District

3-20
To Affirm 2001 Res. 3-07A

WHEREAS, The Great Commission from our Lord Jesus urges
us to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; even to the ends of
the earth; and

WuereAS, In faithfulness to the Great Commission the disciples
and St. Paul took their witness to the ends of the earth in all places;
and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship
(prepared by the sainted Dr. Alvin Barry, former President of the
Synod, and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations)
has been a helpful guide; and

WHEREAS, The 2001 convention of our Synod with Res. 3-07A
recognized that some civic events may be “cases of discretion,”
where differences of opinion concerning participation in such
events can exist and that pastors may have honest differences of
opinion about whether to, or to what extent it is appropriate, or
helpful, to participate in such civic events, stating that “in these
cases charity must prevail’ (Res. 3-07, emphasis added); and

WHEREAS, This same resolution recognized the possibility of
“once-in-a-lifetime” situations and stated that, “these situations can
be evaluated only on a case by case basis and may evoke different
responses from different pastors who may be equally committed to
LCMS fellowship principles. Our church has always recognized
this”; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank and pray for Dr. Jerry Kieschnick and
all our District Presidents as they guide our pastors and congrega-
tions in making good decisions in the Lord’s ministry in difficult
situations; and be it further

Resolved, That we ask our pastors, while remaining faithful to
our doctrinal and fellowship concerns, to be bold in witnessing to
God’s love in Jesus Christ for all people in all places; and be it fi-
nally

Resolved, That we affirm the action of the last convention in
passing Res. 3-07A.

Redeemer, Austin, TX; Trinity, Roselle, IL; Village,
Bronxville, NY

3-21

To Affirm Res. 3-07A

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention may adopt doctrinal reso-
lutions and statements as set forth in Bylaw 1.09 a, which states,
“The Synod, in seeking to clarify its witness or to settle doctrinal
controversy, so that all who seek to participate in the relationships
that exist within and through the Synod may benefit and may act to
benefit others, shall have the right to adopt doctrinal resolutions
and statements which are in harmony with Scripture and thé
Lutheran Confession”; and

WHEREAS, Doctrinal resolutions that may be adopted by the
Synod for the information, counsel, and guidance of the member-
ship “shall conform to the confessional position of the Synod as set
forth in Article II of its Constitution” (Bylaw 1.09 b), and such doc-
trina] resolutions “are to be honored and upheld until such time as
the Synod amends or repeals them” (Bylaw 1.09 b); and

WHEREAS, 1998 Res. 3-03B called for a study of fellowship
principles and practices on the nature of our church body and our
fellowship principles and practices, and 1998 Res. 3-10C called for
all 2000 District conventions to utilize the study to help build a
“better understanding, general harmony, and more consistent prac-
tice in our Synod”; and

WHEREAS, The President of the Synod (Dr. Barry) and the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations jointly produced the
document The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship, and
following a period of study by the District conventions, confer-
ences, and congregations, the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, in conjunction with the Synod President (Dr.
Barry), submitted a report to the Synod on the synodical discus-
sions upon which Res. 3-07A was submitted by the floor commit-
tee to the 2001 convention; and

WHEREAS, Res. 3-07A recognized that the document The
Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship “is in harmony with
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions” and that “a majority af-
firmed The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod position on church