LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 115

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2. District and Congregational Services
To Foster Greater Understanding
of Worship through Theological Conferences
RESOLUTION 2-01
Report 2-02 (CW, pp. 52–54); Overtures 2-01–03, L226 (CW, pp. 139–140; TB, pp. 40–46)
WHEREAS, We recognize that worship is an integral part of
the Christian life, as St. Paul writes: “Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in
all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16); and
WHEREAS, St. Paul prayed for the Christians in Rome
that God would “give you a spirit of unity among yourselves
as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and
mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:5–6); and
WHEREAS, The LCMS lists as one of its objectives to
“[e]ncourage 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 with our common profession of faith” (Constitution
Art. III 7); and
WHEREAS, While previous conventions of the Synod have
addressed the diverse viewpoints in our church body concerning worship (1998 Res. 2-10; 2001 Res. 2-05A; 2004 Res. 2-04),
yet tension remains in our walk together; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Commission on Worship and the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations organize a
model theological conference, including representation of
pastors and laity from each district as well as representation from each of our schools of higher learning, in order to
“build greater understanding of our theology of worship and
foster further discussion of worship practices that are consistent with that theology” (Res. 2-04, 2004 Proceedings,
p. 124); and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage the districts of our Synod
to organize similar conferences to further discussion and
understanding; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Worship, in consultation with the Council of Presidents and the faculties of
our seminaries, universities, and colleges, prepare studies
on this topic for use in circuits and congregations.
Action: Adopted (6)
(During discussion, a motion to amend the final resolve by
deleting the words the Council of Presidents and and universities,
and colleges failed. The resolution was adopted as presented by
the committee [Yes: 838; No: 260].)

Committee 2 Chairman Kurtis Schultz

WHEREAS, There is a need for contemporary worship
songs that reflect Lutheran theological and liturgical emphases, including justification by grace through faith in
Christ, Holy Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the church
year; and
WHEREAS, There are LCMS pastors, teachers, directors
of Christian education, and musicians who are composing
contemporary worship songs that reflect Lutheran theology
and address the theological and liturgical emphases of
Lutheran worship; and
WHEREAS, There exists in the LCMS no means of gathering, reviewing, and disseminating songs and resources
that might be shared with the church-at-large and so enhance the worship life of congregations throughout the
LCMS that make use of contemporary worship songs; and
WHEREAS, The 2004 convention of the Synod directed the
Commission on Worship “to initiate a process leading toward the development of diverse worship resources” (Res.
2-04, 2004 Proceedings, p. 124); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Commission on Worship implement
the recommendations included in its report to the convention (CW, p. 54), as follows:
Recommendation #1
Develop a publication or Web distribution of a quarterly “magazine” or resource package which would include articles dealing
with worship planning, modeling, review of new songs, utilization of new media and technology, teaching new music, etc.

To Provide Guidance and Direction
for Use of Diverse/Contemporary
Worship Resources
RESOLUTION 2-02A

Recommendation #2
Offer worship arts and music seminars/conferences to inform and educate the church which consider and build on the
diversity of worship styles extant across the Synod.

Report 2-02 (CW, pp. 52–54); Overtures 2-07–11 (CW,
pp. 141–142)
WHEREAS, Many LCMS congregations are regularly
making use of contemporary worship songs to the glory of
God and the edification of His people; and

Recommendation #3
Develop regularly updated Web-based lists of appropriate
and accessible resources that are easily and readily available

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2007 Convention Proceedings