LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 79

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

SYNOD REPORTS
2012, President Matthew Harrison requested the CTCR to provide a
selection of communion statements, including statements in use in
LCMS congregations, that could be used to assist pastors and congregations in their own communion practice. The statements might
include both good and bad examples, with explanations of what is
necessary to retain a confessional Lutheran practice of admission to
the Lord’s Supper. The assignment is being addressed by a CTCR
committee at this time.
4. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships (1981 Res. 3-03A;
2010 Res. 8-30B)

The commission continues its work on an assignment of the Synod
originating in 1981. The Synod requested that the CTCR prepare
“practical guidelines … to assist officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individuals in the Synod in determining which practices and
activities are appropriate to the various levels of inter-Lutheran and
inter-Christian relationships in which the Synod is involved” (Res.
3-03A). In the intervening years, the CTCR completed a number of
documents relating to the subject of relationships with other churches
and Christians. These include Inter-Christian Relationships: An
Instrument for Study (1992), The Lutheran Understanding of Church
Fellowship: Study Materials (2000), The Lutheran Understanding of
Church Fellowship: Report on Synodical Discussions (2001), Policy
for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Declaring Altar and
Pulpit Fellowship with Another Church Body (2009), and Church
Relations in the 21st Century (2009). In addition, in the past triennium,
the commission adopted Principles for “Cooperation in Externals”
with Theological Integrity and Theological Dialogue with Other
Christian Church Bodies as noted above (I A 1.; I A 3).
In a letter dated September 12, 2012, President Matthew Harrison
requested that the study attend in particular to Walther’s Kirche und
Amt, because it represents the formally endorsed position of the
LCMS on church and ministry (see 2001 Res. 7-17A).
2010 Res. 8-30B, “To Study Article VI of Synod’s Constitution,”
added a particular focus that fits within the general purview of the
previous assignment. It asked that “the President of the Synod in consultation with the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations, and the Commission on Constitutional Matters
make provisions for the preparation of materials (a study) that explain
the biblical, confessional, and historical basis for Article VI of the
Synod’s Constitution.”
The Commission is currently completing a historical study of the
understanding of unionism and fellowship in confessional Lutheran
theology and is planning to do an exegetical treatment of the same
matters. A third facet of the study will be a document that approaches
the same topic from a systematic and practical standpoint.
5. Hostility toward Christianity

A December 23, 2008, letter from an LCMS pastor requested the
CTCR to develop “a solid Scriptural directive that will greatly assist
our congregations” in understanding the sources and nature of rising
hostility toward Christianity in our day. The commission does not
normally accept requests for assignments from individual pastors
and congregations, but after deliberation, the CTCR chose to accept
this request and assigned it to one of its working committees. The
CTCR hopes to have the assignment completed in the next triennium.
6. Infant/Child Communion

During the November 2012 meeting of the CTCR, President
Matthew Harrison requested a CTCR statement on the propriety of
communing infants and/or small children in light of the advocacy of
such practices in some Lutheran circles. This assignment is being
addressed by a CTCR committee at this time.

79

7. Ordained Diaconate

On May 29, 2012, President Matthew Harrison asked for a CTCR
opinion on the theological propriety of the LCMS establishing an
ordained diaconate. This assignment is being discussed by a CTCR
committee at this time.
8. The Priesthood of All Believers (2007 Res. 1-03)

2007 Res. 1-03 directed the CTCR “to prepare a comprehensive
study document which clearly presents the biblical teaching of the
royal priesthood and Luther’s teaching on vocation in light of the mission challenges of today.” The committee given responsibility for this
has engaged a drafter who is currently working on the assignment.
9. The Relationship between Science and Theology

In May 2009, a consortium of science and theology professors
from the Concordia University System met together to discuss the
relationship between science and theology under the theme, “Two
Books, One Truth.” One result of the conference was a request to the
CTCR to “develop a study on the relationship between science and
theology.” A committee is currently at work on this assignment and
expects to have a completed draft for the consideration of the plenary
commission in the next triennium.
10. Relationship of Man and Woman (1995 Res. 3-10; 2010 Res. 3-06)

In commending the 2009 CTCR report, The Creator’s Tapestry
(prepared in partial response to 1995 Res. 3-10), the 2010 convention also asked the CTCR “to publish the results of the study to the
church at large and to address additional questions and issues.” A
CTCR committee is continuing work on various aspects of the topic
of “the relationship of man and woman” as requested by 1995 Res.
3-10 and 2010 Res. 3-06.
11. Statement on “Guidelines” for Service of Women

On September 12, 2012, President Matthew Harrison requested
that the CTCR provide clarification regarding the matter of the service
of women in congregations. He referenced “Guidelines for the Service
of Women in Congregational Offices,” a section of a document distributed in 2005 titled The Service of Women in Congregational and
Synodical Offices with Guidelines for Congregations (online at www.
lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=312). This assignment is
under discussion by a CTCR committee.
12. Studies on Biblical Interpretation (2010 Res. 3-07)

The LCMS has an unambiguous position affirming the inerrancy
of Holy Scripture and rejecting unbiblical higher critical assumptions
about the Bible. At the same time, the 2010 convention recognized
that “[t]here are new hermeneutical challenges facing the Church in
this postmodern era.” Consequently, it asked the CTCR in consultation with the faculties of our seminaries to provide studies “addressing
the question, ‘How to Read the Bible’ that also address ‘current trends
in interpretation.’” A CTCR committee is at work on this assignment.
13. Study Resources for 2017 Celebration of the Reformation (2007
Res. 3-02)

2007 Res. 3-02 resolved that the CTCR, in consultation with the
International Lutheran Council, work to prepare materials to encourage the study of the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran Confessions in
preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Current
plans include development of a multimedia Web site with information on the Reformation in various formats—text, video, and sound.
Materials will focus on the importance of Luther and other reformers, with emphasis on the ongoing importance of Lutheran theology
in today’s world. Plans call for the Web site to be multilingual, with
2013 Convention Workbook