LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 115

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Resolutions
3. Life Together
To Expand the Koinonia Project
RESOLUTION 3-01A
Overtures 3-08–09, L3-44 (CW, pp. 151–152; TB, pp. 32–33)
Whereas, The Constitution of the Synod (Article XI B 3)
enjoins the President to “conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in
all the districts of the Synod”; and

Committee 3 Chairman Donald Fondow

Whereas, Dr. Matthew Harrison, both before and after his election to the presidency of the Synod, described the potential for a
process called the Koinonia Project, which seeks to bring about
agreement under God concerning controverted matters of doctrine and practice through disciplined study of Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions and intense brotherly conversation; and

dent of the Synod be directed to divide the elected presidents of
each district and the vice-presidents of the Synod into three study
groups who will, by random draw, study Koinonia together, with
progress of each study group reported on the newly developed Web
site; and be it further

Whereas, “The Koinonia Project cannot be a political process,
but must be a spiritual process centered in the Word of God, repentance and prayer, forgiveness and charity. A resolution of the Synod
will not resolve our problems” (draft of the Koinonia Project dated
3/2/11); and
Whereas, The goals of the Koinonia Project are laudable goals
for which all fervently pray; and
Whereas, The Koinonia Project has been in its initial stages
since the 2010 Synod convention, with preliminary activities taking place in eleven districts and in the Council of Presidents; and
Whereas, A framework has been established in the Koinonia
Project concept paper, which can be found on the Synod’s Web site
(http://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=884); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage widespread
support for, and participation in, the Koinonia Project throughout
all levels of the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the President of the Synod be encouraged and
supported to develop (a) a Web site that can be regularly updated
with information about the Koinonia Project; (b) more resources
(particularly Bible studies); and (c) ways for study groups to share
results across the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the continued participation of the Council of
Presidents, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, as
well as that of the theological faculties of our seminaries, colleges,
and universities, be encouraged; and be it further

Resolved, That circuit counselors be encouraged to use at least a
portion of their monthly (Winkel) meetings to foster the kinds of
theological discussions the Koinonia Project seeks to foster; and
be it further
Resolved, That future plans include the participation of church
workers and laity at the district, circuit, and parish levels; and be
it finally
Resolved, That this convention give thanks to the Lord of the
Church for preserving His pure and saving doctrine among us and
pray for God-given courage to resist the danger of shrinking back
from the difficulty of the Koinonia Project.
Action: Adopted (1)
(During discussion, a motion to insert the following resolve
paragraphs was accepted by the committee as a friendly amendment: “Resolved, That to lead by example and to demonstrate to
the entire Synod that this project can bear fruitful fruits, the President of the Synod be directed to divide the elected presidents of
each district and the vice-presidents of the Synod into three study
groups who will, by random draw, study Koinonia together, with
progress of each study group reported on the newly developed Web
site; and be it further Resolved, That circuit counselors be encouraged to use at least a portion of their monthly (Winkel) meetings
to foster the kinds of theological discussions the Koinonia Project seeks to foster; and be it further.” After debate was ended, Res.
3-01A was adopted as amended [Yes: 869; No: 102].

Resolved, That to lead by example and to demonstrate to the
entire Synod that this project can bear fruitful fruits, the PresiR e s olu t i on s

2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

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