LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 66

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66 SYNOD REPORTS

ology, including women” (Res. 3-10). In its resolution, the Synod
listed a number of questions that “might be included in such a
study.” The commission immediately began work on this assign-
ment, devoting the 1998-2001 triennium principally to a major
study on the question of “the image of God,” taking into account
reactions received from a number of individuals throughout the
Synod, including members of a panel of reactors appointed for this
purpose. Although the commission declined to adopt this study as a
CTCR report, this document provided foundational biblical data as
it continued work on this assignment.

As the commission gave attention to the 1995 request, it also
dealt with a number of other assignments pertinent to the issue of
the man/woman relationship, including the following:

« February 2002 response to Expressions of Dissent on Woman Suf-
frage (2004 Convention Workbook, pp. 75—76) and response to ex-
pression of dissent on the ordination of women (2004 Convention
Workbook, p. 77)

¢ February 2003 ‘Response to Questions of BHE/CUS on Lay
Teachers of Theology” (including women; see 2004 Convention
Workbook, pp. 73-74)

* Completion of an assignment from the President on the question of
women in combat by arranging for the publication of two articles
in the May 2003 issue of The Lutheran Witness presenting con-
trasting perspectives

¢ April 2004 response to the Minnesota South District on “The Ser-
vice of Women in Congregational Offices of Executive Direc-
tor/President or Assistant Director/Vice/President” (see section
D.1 below)

* April 2004 report on the meaning of aurhentein, in response to a
1994 request of the Atlantic District (see I. A. 5. above)

¢ Discussion and disposition of assignments on lectors and overtures
from the Michigan District (these were removed from the CTCR’s
agenda in light of previous work done by the commission and in
view of action taken by the 1989 convention regarding lay reading
of the lessons).

At its February 2006 meeting, the commission approved a pro-
posal to seek funding for two consultations that would assist it in
the completion of the 1995 assignment, one to be held in December
2006 and a second in April 2007. In September 2006, the commis-
sion approved a process involving presentations and discussions
designed to provide input to the commission as it works toward the
completion of the 1995 request. The first consultation was held in
St. Louis on Dec. 4-5, 2006. Sixteen participants (along with the
members of the CTCR) took part in this consultation. Participating
were the following: Dr. Gilbert Meilaender (Keynote Address:
“Man and Woman in Christ”); Dr. Greg Lockwood (Presentation:
“Biblical Insights on Men and Women in Christ”); Dr. Barbara
Brunworth (Presentation: “Men and Women in the Contemporary
Context: Selected Insights from the Social and Behavioral Sci-
ences”); Dr. Mary Hilgendorf (Reactor, substituting for Mrs. Car-
olyn Schoenborn); Mrs. Eva Rickmann (Reactor); Dr. Mark
Schuler (Reactor); Dr. James Voelz (Reactor); Dr. John Brunner;
Dr. Jean Garton; Dr. Debra Grime; Mrs. Gretchen Jameson; Dr.
John Johnson; Pastor Glenn Lucas; Dr. Walter Maier II]; Mrs.
Marie Meyer; Mrs. Linda Reiser. Mr. Les Stroh served as facilita-
tor for this consultation. It was reported at the commission’s Feb-
ruary 2007 meeting that application for funds to hold two more
consultations for continued collaborative work between the com-
mission and the consultants had been approved.

4. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships

During this triennium, the commission has been working on the
final stage of an assignment of the Synod originating in 1981. The
Synod requested that the CTCR prepare “practical guidelines...to
assist officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individuals in
the Synod in determining which practices and activities are appro-
priate to the various levels of inter-Lutheran and inter-Christian re-

2007 Convention Workbook

lationships in which the Synod is involved” (Res. 3-03A). The
commission has received and forwarded to the appropriate standing
committee a number of specific inquiries and suggestions regarding
the guidance needed in this document. During this triennium, the
Director of Ministry to the Armed Forces brought the commis-
sion’s attention to “some concerns regarding our synodical doctrine
and practice” relating to paragraphs in the LCMS Chaplain Guide-
lines. In December 2004, the president of the Southern Illinois Dis-
trict forwarded to the commission and the two seminaries a request
for an opinion originating from two circuits (the CTCR does not
respond to requests from circuits) regarding the participation of “a
pastor of a different confession” by reading “a Scripture lesson dur-
ing a wedding service in a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con-
gregation.” The commission is continuing its work on this
assignment on guidelines for inter-Christian relationships.

5. Prayer

In 1986, the President of the Synod, Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, re-
quested a study of the theology and practice of prayer, noting
specifically the importance of prayer in Christian piety and ex-
pressing concern about understandings that seem to equate prayer
with the means of grace. President Barry renewed this request in
1996. The standing committee given responsibility for this assign-
ment has before it a major draft of this study, but due to the press of
other assignments has not been able to devote attention to the study
until late in this triennium.

6. Request for Study on Lodge Membership

The 2006 Nebraska District convention adopted a resolution re-
questing that the CTCR “be directed to do a study on the issue of
‘Secret Society’ or Lodge Membership.” The commission has
asked its standing committee given responsibility in this area to do
preliminary work on a response to this request.

C. Other Matters
1. Translation of CTCR Reports into Spanish

Aware of the urgent need to make more materials available in
Spanish, the commission during this triennium is in the process of
providing for the translation of its reports. Available at this time in
Spanish is the commission’s 1984 report on Abortion in Perspec-
tive (El Aborto En Perspectiva).

2. Publication of Theological Literature

Noting its assigned responsibility to provide guidance to the
members of the Synod in matters of theology, the commission dis-
cussed at its February 2007 meeting the need for a regular, formal-
ized way of providing input to Concordia Publishing House (CPH)
regarding the publication of theological literature from broad rep-
resentation in the Synod. It was suggested that such a vehicle in-
clude representation from the seminary faculties, theology faculties
in the Concordia University System, the Council of Presidents, and
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. Following dis-
cussion of this matter, the commission adopted the following rec-
ommendation:

Recommendation: That the Synod in convention address the need
for the development of a regular, formalized vehicle that would include
broad representation from the Synod for the purpose of providing mean-
ingful input to Concordia Publishing House in identifying, promoting,
and facilitating the publication of theological literature in the Synod.

D. Requests for Theological Opinions

1. Request for An Opinion on the Service of Women in
Congregational Offices of Executive Director/President or
Assistant Director/Vice-President

The 2003 convention of the Minnesota South District requested
that the CTCR make a recommendation to the Synod regarding