LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 78

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78

SYNOD REPORTS

2. Responses to 2010 Omnibus Resolution A

Omnibus Resolution A of the 2010 convention included nine overtures for referral either in whole or in part to the CTCR (see 2010
Convention Proceedings, p. 173). At its December 2010 meeting, the
commission approved various ways of responding to the issues raised
in these overtures: “Pursue Official Theological Talks with WELS”
(Ov. 3-13); “Encourage Participation in Interfaith Dialogues” (Ov.
3-15); “Declare Fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran
Church” (Ov. 3-17); “Request Study on Certain Theses from
Walther’s Church and Ministry” (Ov. 3-25); “Restudy Guidelines for
Participation in Civic Events” (Ov. 3-26); “Unambiguously Renounce
Syncretism and Unionism” (Ov. 3-27); “Offer Biblical Rationale for
Opposing Combat Roles for Women” (Ov. 3-29); “Prepare Study on
Practice of Cremation” (Ov. 3-32); and “Denounce ‘Hate Crimes
Legislation’ and Advocate Christian Freedom” (Ov. 6-08).
3. Theological Dialogue with Other Christian Church Bodies

In the Fall of 2010, President Matthew Harrison requested that
the CTCR staff draft a theological concept paper on the subject of
dialogue with other churches. The document was to provide an explanation of why and how the LCMS might engage in dialogue with
other Christian church bodies—including non-Lutherans—in circumstances where there might be both areas of mutual agreement (e.g.,
the authority of Scripture, natural law issues) and also long-standing
theological disagreement (e.g., the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper).
The staff prepared a document that was reviewed by various Synod
leaders and both seminary faculties. At its September 2011 meeting,
the commission adopted Theological Dialogue with Other Christian
Church Bodies as a resource for the Synod in current and future conversations with other church bodies. The document is included in
Appendix II of the Convention Workbook and is available online at
www.lcms.org/ctcr.
4. Theology and Practice of Prayer: A Lutheran View

A long-standing project of the CTCR culminated in the CTCR’s
adoption of Theology and Practice of Prayer: A Lutheran View in
November 2011. President Ralph Bohlmann had initially requested
the study and President Alvin Barry renewed the request. The
Confessions emphasize the importance of teaching about prayer,
“what it should be like and that everyone may be completely certain that it is efficacious and is heard” (Ap XV 43). The report seeks
to provide such teaching, addressing both the biblical understanding
of prayer and also prayer practices that are (and are not) consistent
with such an understanding. The document is included in Appendix
II of the Convention Workbook and is available online at www.lcms.
org/ctcr.
5. Christian Response to Immigration Issues (Proposed 2007 Res.
6-05)

In June 2006, because of widespread, often acrimonious debates
in the U.S. about the issue of immigration, then-President Gerald
Kieschnick and current President Matthew Harrison (who at the time
was Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care) issued a joint
letter expressing theological and practical concerns with regard to this
contentious matter. On the basis of a proposed resolution (Res. 6-05
“To Petition CTCR to Provide Guidance re Immigration and Ministry
to Immigrants”), which the 2007 convention did not have time to
consider, President Kieschnick later requested the CTCR to prepare
a report on this issue. In September 2011, a consultation was held
involving immigrants, immigration officials, attorneys, historians,
ethicists, and church leaders active in ministry to immigrant communities. At its November 2012 meeting, the commission adopted the
report: Immigrants Among Us: A Biblical Framework for Considering
2013 Convention Workbook

Immigration Issues. The report does not seek to provide policy recommendations to government or to resolve societal immigration debates.
Rather, it considers immigration issues in light of important Lutheran
theological concepts such as the love of neighbor and the doctrine of
vocation. The report is available in Spanish as well as English and
both are available online at www.lcms.org/ctcr. The documents are
also included in Appendix II of the Convention Workbook.
6. Response to 2009 ELCA Sexuality Social Statement (2010 Res. 3-05)

Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust is the title of the social statement by the ELCA that provided the theological foundation for the
ELCA’s 2009 Churchwide Assembly affirmation of same-gender
sexual relationships for Christians, the liturgical blessing of such
relationships, and the ordination into the ministry of candidates who
are engaged in such same-sex relationships. At its 2010 convention,
the LCMS approved Res. 3-05, which requested a theological analysis of the ELCA social statement by the CTCR, in consultation with
seminaries, particularly with respect to the concept of “the bound
conscience.” The CTCR’s response, titled CTCR Response to Human
Sexuality: Gift and Trust, was adopted at its April 2012 meeting and
subsequently published in an online version on the CTCR Web site
(www.lcms.org/ctcr). The document is included in Appendix II of the
Convention Workbook.
7. Implications of the Natural Knowledge of God (2007 Res. 3-04A)

In response to contemporary confusion regarding the distinction
between what human reason can know of God and the full revelation
of God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Scriptures, the 2007 LCMS
convention adopted Res. 3-04A “To Call for Study of the Natural
Knowledge of God and Its Implications for Public Witness.” The
resolution reaffirmed the truth that salvation is not given apart from
faith in Jesus Christ and charged the CTCR to consult with both seminary faculties to “prepare a study of the natural knowledge of God,
and especially its implications for our public witness.” At its January
2013 meeting, the CTCR adopted in principle the report: The Natural
Knowledge of God in Christian Confession and Christian Witness,
subject to final review and editing to be completed at its April 2013
meeting. When completed, the report will be published and mailed
to rostered workers and congregations of the LCMS. It will also be
available online at www.lcms.org/ctcr.
B. Studies in Progress
1. Bible Study on Prayer

Due to a number of specific requests and positive comments about
its report, Theology and Practice of Prayer (see I A 4 above), the commission is preparing a Bible study based on the report.
2. Continued Study of 1989 Res. 3-05B

In December 2005, the commission approved a plan to engage in
ongoing “consideration and discussion of 1989 Resolution 3-05B.” In
ensuing years this study proceeded, with the CTCR hearing theological papers and engaging in discussion of issues related to the Synod’s
position on church and ministry, specifically questions related to the
matter of laymen exercising functions of the pastoral office in certain
circumstances. In its January 2013 meeting, the commission resolved
to continue this discussion and to bring a report (with possible recommendations) to the 2016 Synod convention toward the goal of seeking
greater unanimity in the Synod on these issues.
3. Guidance for Responsible Communion Practice (2007 Res. 3-09)

The 2007 convention of the LCMS asked the CTCR to “continue to provide practical guidance for responsible pastoral care in
the administration of the Sacrament of the Altar.” In September of