LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 131

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Lutherans around the world toward the celebration of the 500th
anniversary of the Reformation in 2017; and be it finally
Resolved, That the convention affirm proactive efforts of the
Synod and the ILC to visit and to reach out to those seeking a
greater understanding of orthodox Lutheranism.
Action: Adopted (3)

To Address Questions Re Service of Licensed
Lay Deacons
RESOLUTION 4-06A
Overtures 4-22, 4-29–45, L4-74 (CW, pp. 172–173, 176–184; TB
p. 35)

(Res. 4-04 was adopted without discussion [Yes: 981; No: 6].)

Whereas, All of our congregations and all of our pastors unanimously confess the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession as a true
and clear exposition of the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ; and

To Encourage Further Discussion
with Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
and Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Whereas, Article XIV of the Augsburg Confession states: “Our
churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or
administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call”; and

RESOLUTION 4-05
Report 1-7; President’s Report, Part 2 (CW, p. 10; TB, p. 23)
Preamble
After more than 50 years, mostly of silence, The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod (WELS), and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
(ELS) held informal discussions in late 2012. Although differences exist between the church bodies, the informal discussions
demonstrated that there is a basis to explore further conversations
between the churches. When WELS suspended fellowship with
the Missouri Synod in 1961, the president of WELS was charged
with seeking opportunities to continue the conversation with the
Missouri Synod.
Whereas, The Synodical Conference (fellowship of LCMS,
WELS and ELS) was a great blessing to confessional Lutheranism
both in America and throughout the world; and
Whereas, Although the Synodical Conference dissolved, many
commonalities still exist; and
Whereas, Since the ending of the Synodical Conference there
have been few opportunities for discussion between the LCMS and
the WELS and the ELS; and
Whereas, The President of the WELS has been charged with
seeking opportunities to continue the conversation with the LCMS;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the President of the LCMS seek opportunities to
continue the conversation with the former members of the Synodical Conference.
Action: Adopted (3)
(After discussion, Res. 4-05 was adopted as presented [Yes: 949;
No: 21].)

Whereas, Article V of the same states: “So that we may obtain
this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering
the Sacraments was instituted. Through the Word and Sacraments,
as through instruments, the Holy Spirit is given (John 20:22)”; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Confessions clearly distinguish
between believers who are all priests before God to offer their spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5) and those whom Christ has called into a
specific office with specific responsibilities to His Bride (Eph. 4:11–
16; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 4:1, 12:28; 2 Cor. 5:20; 1 Tim. 4:12–16; Heb.
5:4, etc.) in such texts as:
Our teachers assert that according to the Gospel the power
of the keys or the power of bishops is a power and command
of God to preach the Gospel, to forgive and retain sins, and to
administer and distribute the sacraments. For Christ sent out
the apostles with this command, “As the Father has sent Me,
even so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the
sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they
are retained (John 20:21–23).” [AC XXVIII 5]
According to divine right, therefore, it is the office of the
bishop to preach the Gospel, forgive sins, judge doctrine and
condemn doctrine that is contrary to the Gospel, and exclude
from the Christian congregation the ungodly whose wicked
conduct is manifest. All this is to be done not by human power
but by God’s Word alone. On this account parish ministers
and churches are bound to be obedient to the bishops according to the saying of Christ in Luke 10:16, “He who hears you
hears Me.” [AC XXVIII 21]
When the sacraments are administered by unworthy men,
this does not rob them of their efficacy. For they do not represent their own persons but the person of Christ, because
of the church’s call, as Christ testifies (Luke 10:16), “He who
hears you hears Me.” When they offer the Word of Christ or
the sacraments, they do so in Christ’s place and stead. [Apology VII 28]
The Gospel requires of those who preside over the churches
that they preach the Gospel, remit sins, administer the sacraments, and, in addition, exercise jurisdiction, that is, excommunicate those who are guilty of notorious crimes and absolve
those who repent. [Power and Primacy of the Pope 61]
For wherever the church exists, the right to administer the
Gospel also exists. Wherefore it is necessary for the church to

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