LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 123

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The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions,
shall… 7. Encourage 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; [Article III 7]
Conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the
Synod are the following:… 4. Exclusive use of doctrinally pure
agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and school.
[Article VI 4]
And
Whereas, The people of God have always cared deeply about
questions of worship; and
Whereas, Many conventions of the LCMS have addressed disagreements regarding worship throughout the Synod’s history; and
Whereas, Concordia Publishing House has provided excellent
materials for use in worship; and
Whereas, The Commission on Worship document Text, Music,
Context provides guidelines for worship; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank Concordia Publishing House for the many worship resources it has produced and
commend their use throughout the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the document, Text, Music, Context and the guidelines included therein, and
commend its use throughout the Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention embrace the full use
and appreciation of the historical treasures of music and liturgy
and whatever good things the Lord sees fit to add from the gifts
and talents of His people in this day.
Action: Adopted (7)
(During discussion of Res. 3-12A, the committee accepted a
friendly amendment to delete the word “excellent” in the final
whereas paragraph. The resolution was adopted as amended [Yes:
633; No: 274].)

To Update the Synod’s Catechetical Materials
RESOLUTION 3-13A
Report 1-7 (CW, p.7); Overtures 3-25, L3-44 (CW, p. 156; TB,
p. 20)

Whereas, The last revision to the content of An Explanation
is that copyrighted in 1991 (authorized in 1986 by Res. 2-17 before
the revision was completed), available from Concordia Publishing House (CPH); and
Whereas, There is a need to update An Explanation in light of
many changes in the understanding of morals, civil law, and natural law in church and society over the more than two decades that
have passed; and
Whereas, There is a need for more comprehensive catechetical
materials for adults that would also provide a resource for parents
and teachers; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations, in concurrence with the President of Synod, to propose such needed revisions to the content of
the 1991 An Explanation of the Small Catechism; and be it further
Resolved, That the 1986 translation of Luther’s Small Catechism
remain unchanged; and be it further
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations and the President’s Office, with the help of Concordia
Publishing House, field test the proposed revisions and make any
further revisions necessary before publication; and be it finally
Resolved, That a catechetical compendium for adults be produced under the auspices of the President’s Office in collaboration
with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and CPH
which would be more comprehensive and apologetic in scope.
Action: Adopted (8)
(When Res. 3-13A was introduced by the committee during
Session 7, it changed the word “catechism” in the final resolve
paragraph to “catechetical compendium.” During discussion a
proposed amendment to replace the second resolve paragraph
with “Resolved, That the translation of Luther’s Small Catechism
published by Concordia Publishing House (CPH) before 1986 be
restored and printed with the revised Explanation” was accepted
by the committee as a friendly amendment. This decision was challenged and discussed until the Orders of the Day were called. When
discussion resumed during Session 8, the vote to replace the second resolve paragraph failed [Yes: 446; No: 472]. A new motion to
amend the resolution with the words “that the revised explanation be published with both the 1986 and 1943 translations” also
failed [Yes: 312; No: 611]. Discussion continued until debate was
ended and the resolution was adopted as changed by the committee [Yes: 913; No: 7].)

Whereas, An Explanation of the Small Catechism, the Synod’s
question and answer exposition of Luther’s Small Catechism, is
based on similar works that evolved from one to the next as each
subsequent work was published over the centuries; and
Whereas, An Explanation, because of its concise treatment of
the chief parts of Christian doctrine and its application of that doctrine to current issues, is frequently used both for instruction in
the Christian faith and as a resource for those so instructed; and

R 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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