LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 188

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188

Theology and Church Relations

completed by Jan. 1, 2014, with special attention given to tragic community events, taking all such factors into account that allow for a
bold proclamation of the truth of God in Christ alone, as well as allowing for care and compassion to be delivered to those in great need by
all possible means; and be it further
Resolved, That such a study determine methodologies which earnestly seek to determine how we may be encouraged to participate
in such events and therefore bring to such events a clear and potent
statement of both truth and compassion found only in Jesus Christ,
rather than merely listing the reasons why some believe we cannot;
and be it further
Resolved, That those individuals who are not tasked, elected, nor
called to be in ecclesiastical supervision of others and yet choose to
use various outlets to create public discourse and dissension within
our Synod through public means (blogs, Web sites, and other forms of
media) are in violation of our bond of love and their call to administer Word and Sacrament ministry in their mission and ministry setting
responsibly; and be it finally
Resolved, That such discussions of dissent and disagreement not
be disallowed among our ministerium, which would also be in violation of our task as undershepherds of the great Good Shepherd, but
be encouraged to take place, first of all, by expressing concerns faceto-face with the one engaged in a perceived violation in keeping with
the command of Christ in Matt. 18, but then also be held in confidence with biblical and confessional discussions within the gathering
of pastors in the circuit in which they hold their call.
Board of Directors
Northwest District
4-53

To Express Support of Pastoral Witness
to Newtown Survivors
Whereas, When confronted by the needs of his community due
to the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut; and
Whereas, As expressed by Pastor Morris,
It is indeed an unspeakably difficult situation—emotions are raw,
energy reserves are spent, fear and mistrust are far too easy, and all of us
are faced with circumstances for which no amount of training or preparation could be sufficient. And yet, the only thing that makes ministering
under these circumstances possible is Christ’s grace and truth. All else
is a false hope, a hollow comfort. Thus, it was a gift of God, even within
these dark and tear-filled times, to announce the certainty of Christ’s
birth, our God-With-Us, not only 2000 years ago, but within each of
us through our baptism. The certainty of Christ’s resurrection and our
adoption into Him through His Word and Sacrament is the only possible
message of hope and peace within these dark times, both in Newtown
and around the world. Ministering is hard, but ministering Christ’s grace
is a gift, no matter the circumstances;

and
Whereas, Pastor Morris took great pains to follow the recommendations of the CTCR as expressed in its opinions “Guidelines
for Participation in Civic Events” and “The Nature and Implications
of the Concept of Fellowship”; and
Whereas, As Pastor Morris further expressed,
We do have a God-given responsibility to be on our guard against all
kinds of false teaching. Prior to the events of 12/14, I had already spent
hours with my own congregation, catechizing them as to the differences
between our Lutheran understanding of Scriptural teaching, the various other denominations’ teachings, and the teachings of false religions
such as Islam or B’Hai. I had likewise spent time with my fellow clergy
in Newtown clarifying the ways I can and cannot engage in events like

2013 Convention Workbook

joint clergy dialogues (which are good to engage in), joint caring efforts (only within limits), and joint worship (not possible). To my fellow
brothers who are serving in the office of public ministry, I encourage
you to do these same tasks in your churches and communities. It is not
comfortable, but it is necessary. To my brothers and sisters who are lay
people in the church, I ask you to encourage and pray for your pastors as they do these difficult, but God-given tasks. Thus, to those who
believe that I have endorsed false teaching, I assure you that was not
my intent, and I give you my unreserved apologies. If any of you know
church members or friends or family who are now confused because of
my participation, believing that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
fully endorses the doctrine of anyone else who was on that stage, please
correct this confusion lovingly, and I will be personally happy to help in
any way that I can. Feel free to pass on my apologies for having given
that impression;

and
Whereas, As Pastor Morris further expressed,
I believed my participation to be, not an act of joint worship, but an
act of community chaplaincy. Chaplains are expected to give faithful
witness under circumstances which are less than ecclesiastically perfect,
even as their fellow chaplains may proclaim a different witness. Thus,
with a disclaimer at the outset (which I requested) having stated that participation did not mean endorsement of the other religions represented,
I said I was sharing “‘a final blessing of the hope which is ours through
faith in Jesus Christ, using the words of St. John and St. Paul,”’ I then
read from Revelation 21 and I prayed the Trinitarian benediction from
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians which we say as part of our Lutheran
daily offices. I did not believe my participation to be an act of joint worship, but one of mercy and care to a community shocked and grieving an
unspeakably horrific event;

and
Whereas, Pastor Morris was compelled to apologize to those
misguided members of the Synod and those weak in the faith who
claimed his actions were inappropriate, while in fact he should have
been commended and thanked for his faithful, bold witness in the best
traditions of the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS urge all members of the Synod to study
the referenced CTCR opinions carefully; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS express its collective and public thanks
to Pastor Morris for his actions in the aftermath of the Newtown,
Connecticut, tragedy.
Trinity
Roselle, Illinois
4-54

To Affirm Commitment to Witness in Public
Square
Whereas, President Harrison has acknowledged in his apology
of Feb. 7 the “debacle” created by his handling of the tragedy of
Newtown, Connecticut; and
Whereas, The consequences of the mishandling of the matter
require the Synod to speak as one in providing a clear and unequivocal witness in the public square; and
Whereas, The LCMS has expressed clearly the right and responsibility of all Christians to witness to those who have yet to hear or
receive the Gospel; and
Whereas, The LCMS has expressed proper considerations
through CTCR opinions such as “The Nature and Implications of
the Concept of Fellowship” and “Guidelines for Participation in Civic
Events”; and