LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 142

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142 DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

WHEREAS, The Commission on Worship after nine years has en-
abled no such process; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship enable such a
process no later than June 2008.

Trinity

Austin, TX

2-10

To Establish Process for Doctrinal
Review of Contemporary Music

WHEREAS, Contemporary worship and music styles have been
variously developed in the LCMS; and

Wuereas, No process for open doctrinal review has been es-
tablished by the LCMS for music used in contemporary worship;
and

Wuereas, While the Commission on Worship requested the
submission of music for consideration in the printed version of the
Lutheran Service Book but has promised only to publish contem-
porary music in the electronic version of the hymnal; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Worship is working hard on
providing excellent traditional worship materials for use in the
LCMS and seems unable to complete this task of doctrinal certifi-
cation; and

WHEREAS, Pastors and congregations can use the guidance and
direction of the LCMS when considering the use of contemporary
worship music in the Divine Service; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention establish a task
force for doctrinal certification of music used in contemporary wor-
ship: and be it further

Resolved, That members of this task force be appointed by the
Council of Presidents to assure national representation. This task
force shall consist of three members of the Commission on Wor-
ship, three professors from the Concordia University System spe-
cializing in music and worship, and five pastors and five commis-
sioned music ministers of congregations using contemporary
worship styles on a weekly basis; and be it further

Resolved, That this task force be charged with establishing
within one year a process through which music used in contempo-
rary worship can undergo doctrinal review; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations submit music that they propose
to be certified as doctrinally sound; and be it finally

Resolved, That for music that does not pass this doctrinal re-
view, Clear and distinct reasons for denial be published with cor-
rective suggestions for congregational review.

Trinity
Roselle, IL

2-11

To Establish Task Force to Provide Review Process
for Music Used in Nontraditional Worship

WHEREAS, A wide variety of worship and music styles have and
continue to be developed and used in the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, There is not a process for doctrinal review for non-
hymnal worship that is used by LCMS for congregations; and

WuerEAs, The Commission on Worship has promised only to
publish contemporary music in the electronic version of the new
hymnal, but seems unable to complete this task of doctrinal certifi-
cation of these materials; and

WHEREAS, Pastors and congregations can benefit from the guid-
ance and direction of the LCMS when considering the use of non-
traditional forms of worship in the Divine Service; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2007 convention of the LCMS establish a
Task Force for Doctrinal Certification of music used in nontradi-
tional forms of worship; and be it further

Resolved, That including a combination of professionals using
nontraditional forms of worship this task force be appointed by the
Council of Presidents to assure wide representation; and be it fi-
nally

Resolved, That this task force establish a process through which
music used in nontraditional worship will be doctrinally examined
and approved at the local congregation level, to ensure that every
aspect of worship brings honor and glory to God.

Lord of Life
Leawood, KS

2-12

To Study and Encourage Private
Confession and Absolution

WHEREAS, The opportunity to use private confession and abso-
lution was a reality and practice cherished strongly by Luther and
Walther and other prominent Lutheran fathers; and

WHEREAS, Private confession and absolution is set forth clearly
in a manner which clearly distinguishes Law and Gospel rightly in
our Lutheran Confessions as well as the Synod’s explanation to the
Small Catechism; and :

Wuereas, The Lutheran Confessions say that it would be impi-
ous for the free evangelical use of private confession and absolu-
tion to fall into disuse (AC XXV; Ap XII; “Brief Exhortation to
Confession,” LC; see also the SA); and

WHEREAS, The basis for private confession and absolution is in
the Office of the Keys (John 20:19-23; Matthew 18:15-20; Luke
10:16) and in scriptural teaching regarding repentance and con-
fessing one’s sins (Psalms 32, 51; 2 Sam. 11-12; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2;
James 5:16; 1 John 1:8, 9; Prov. 28:13); and

WHEREAS, A pastor solemnly pledges in his ordination vows not
to divulge sins committed confessed to him in this rite of private
confession and absolution (the seal of confession; Prov. 11:13;
1 Cor. 4:1-2); and

WHEREAS, The new hymnal of the LCMS, Lutheran Service
Book, offers rites and resources for the use of private confession
and absolution for pastoral care; and

WHEREAS, Private confession and absolution is a primary means
of classical pastoral care distinct from psychological counseling or
Communion announcing and is held by the Apology of the Augs-
burg Confession, Art. XIII as a Sacrament (Ap XIII 4); therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Minnesota North District of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in convention encourage its pastors and
congregations to study the scriptural, confessional, and historical
witness to private confession and absolution with a view toward
recovering the regular availability of private confession and abso-
lution in the congregations of the district; and be it further

Resolved, That the Minnesota North District in convention re-
quest that both seminaries provide additional guidance in carrying
out this overture through articles in the seminary journals and in
presentations to pastors’ conferences; and be it further

Resolved, That since pastors and their families also need pas-
toral care, that parish pastors of the Minnesota North District be
encouraged to obtain fellow LCMS pastors to hear their confes-
sions and absolve them, without ecclesiastical supervision role con-
flict; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Minnesota North District in convention sub-
mit this as an overture to the Synod in its next convention to en-
courage and adopt the same synodwide.

Minnesota North District

2-13

To Extend Service of Hispanic Ministry Task Force

WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of the United States contin-
ues to increase, now numbering 44.7 million Hispanics in the