LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 141

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DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 141

2-06

To Cease Publication of Lutheran Worship

WHEREAS, At the direction of the Synod in convention, the
Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod and Concordia Publishing House have combined to develop
and publish a wonderful worship resource in the new Lutheran Ser-
vice Book (hereafter LSB); and

WHEREAS, The reception of the LSB has been overwhelmingly
positive in the congregations of Synod; and

WHEREAS, It is clear that the LSB has a great potential to serve
as a blessing to the Synod in its move toward unity in worship prac-
tice; and

WHEREAS, With the advent of the LSB, the continued publica-
tion of Lutheran Worship is unnecessary; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the Com-
mission on Worship and Concordia Publishing House for their
work in the creation and delivery of LSB to the Synod; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod in its 2007 convention direct Concor-
dia Publishing House to cease publication of Lutheran Worship
upon the completion of this convention.

Zion
Staunton, IL

2-07

To Provide Enrichment Opportunities
for Lutheran Contemporary
Worship Bands and Musicians

WHEREAS, Throughout the LCMS many Lutheran contemporary
worship bands and musicians are leading their congregations in the
singing of contemporary worship songs to the glory of God and the
edification of His people; and

WHEREAS, These Lutheran contemporary worship bands consist
of a variety of musicians, including vocalists, guitarists, electric
guitarists, bass players, keyboardists, drummers, percussionists,
other instrumentalists, as well as sound technicians; and

WHEREAS, It honors Christ and serves His people when these
bands and musicians lead at the highest level of quality and with
the greatest spiritual and theological integrity; and

WuereEasS, The LCMS Commission on Worship has provided
Lutheran Musician Enrichment opportunities for organists, choir
directors and handbell directors, and these workshops have served
to enhance the skills and encourage the ministries of these musi-
cians; and

WHEREAS, No such Lutheran Musician Enrichment opportuni-
ties exist for the contemporary worship bands and musicians in our
churches; and

WHEREAS, The enrichment opportunities that do exist outside
of the Lutheran Church are not built upon a Lutheran theology of
worship, especially regarding the proper distinction of Law and
Gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word and
Sacraments; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS acting in convention commend
Lutheran contemporary worship bands and musicians for their ded-
ication and service to their Lord and His church; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS acting in convention direct the Com-
mission on Worship to provide enrichment opportunities for
Lutheran contemporary worship bands and musicians; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That these enrichment opportunities provide training
in Lutheran theology of worship, worship team building, musical
skill enhancement, sound technology, and song selection; and be it
finally

Resolved, The Commission on Worship make use of the skills
and experience of pastors, worship leaders, musicians and others

from within our Synod who have strengths and experience in these
areas.

St. John
Napa, CA

2-08

To Gather and Disseminate Lutheran
Contemporary Worship Songs

Definition: For the purposes of this overture, “contemporary
worship song” refers to worship songs written to be led by a con-
temporary worship band, usually consisting of but not limited to
vocalists, guitars, drums, and keyboard.

WHEREAS, Many LCMS congregations are regularly making use
of contemporary worship songs to the glory of God and the edifi-
cation of His people; and

WHEREAS, The church’s song reflects and shapes the theology
of the church; and

WHEREAS, The leading publishers of contemporary worship
songs do not share some of the core values of Lutheran worship,
especially the proper distinction of Law and Gospel, the role of the
Word and Sacraments in worship, the church year, and the parts of
the liturgy; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for contemporary worship songs that
reflect Lutheran theological and liturgical emphases, including jus-
tification by faith, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the church year;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout the LCMS there are pastors, teachers,
directors of Christian education, and musicians who are compos-
ing Lutheran contemporary worship songs that reflect Lutheran the-
ology and address the theological and liturgical emphases of
Lutheran worship; and

WHEREAS, There exists in the LCMS no means of gathering and
disseminating these songs and resources that they might be shared
with the church-at-large and so enhance the worship life of con-
gregations throughout the LCMS that make use of contemporary
worship songs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS acting in convention directs the Com-
mission on Worship to gather Lutheran contemporary worship
songs that reflect Lutheran theological and liturgical emphases; and
be it further

Resolved, That these Lutheran contemporary worship songs be
made available to the congregations of the LCMS, either by print or
electronically; and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMS acting in convention direct the Com-
mission on Worship to encourage and commission the ongoing
composition of Lutheran contemporary worship songs.

St. John
Napa, CA

2-09

To Enable Process for Review of Worship Materials

Whereas, A condition of membership in the Synod is the “ex-
clusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms
in church and school”; and

WuereaS, Our Synod publishes three doctrinally pure hymn-
books: The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, and now
Lutheran Service Book; and

WHEREAS, There are congregations in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod using materials in worship that are not doctrinally
pure; and

WHEREAS, 1998 Res. 2-10 resolved, in part, “that the Commis-
sion on Worship enable a process by which songs and liturgical
materials from other sources other than LCMS publications might
be reviewed for acceptability so that congregations may be assisted
in their goal of using doctrinally pure worship materials”; and