LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 189

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Theology and Church Relations
Whereas, Some claim offense for bold witness when none should
be taken; and
Whereas, The term “offensive conduct” is to be understood as
conduct that causes another to lose faith, be weakened in faith, or
keeps someone from coming to faith (2 Cor. 6:3; 1 Cor. 10:32), bearing in mind that “giving offense” according to the Scriptures includes
any serious matter that causes a fellow Christian to stumble in his or
her faith (2 Cor. 6:3; 1 Cor. 10:32); and
Whereas, As Mueller (Christian Dogmatics) points out:
But if a person who claims to be weak in Christian knowledge demands that his error should be acknowledged as truth and insists upon
promulgating it as such, he is no longer a “weak brother” whose “weakness” can be tolerated, but a false prophet, who judges and condemns
true believers for using their right knowledge, Col 2:16; Gal 5:1–3.
If a person takes offense because a confessing Christian is compelled to use his Christian liberty on account of the confession involved,
no guilt attaches to such Christian for using his liberty for the Gospel’s
sake.
The guilt rather attaches to those who compel the true Christian to
insist upon his liberty, Gal 2:4–5 (pp. 226–227);

and
Whereas, The consequences of not speaking truth to the world
can be the damnation of people; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS reaffirm its commitment to bold public witness of the Gospel; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS encourage all members who wrongfully
claim offense at such public witness to study the CTCR’s opinions and
to repent of their actions that could lead to the damnation of people.
Trinity
Roselle, Illinois
4-55

To Affirm Urgent Need to Study Art. VI
Whereas, 2010 Res. 8-30B was adopted in convention as follows:
Whereas, The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Structure and Governance has proposed an amendment to Constitution Art. VI (Requirements of Membership) for the purpose of clarification and affirmation;
and
Whereas, Concerns have been expressed throughout the history of
the Synod, including recently, about the proper understanding and application of Art. VI with respect to the conditions or requirements for
acquiring and holding or retaining membership in the Synod; and
Whereas, These concerns as well as misunderstandings and misapplications of Art. VI have included such matters as “subscription … to
[Synod’s] Constitution,” “Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of
every description;” “Exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and school”; and “examination and approval of [congregation’s] constitution and bylaws by the district”; and
Whereas, The requirements for membership reflect the identity and
values of the Synod; and
Whereas, The ministers of religion—ordained and the ministers
of religion—commissioned of the Synod have an important role and
responsibility in the life of the church; and
Whereas, Membership in the Synod carries clear expectation; and
Whereas, The LCMS is made up of congregations from a great
diversity of cultural contexts, calling for an appropriate measure of flexibility in communicating the saving message of the Gospel; therefore
be it
Resolved, 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

189

for the preparation of materials (a study) that explain the biblical, confessional, and historical basis for Art. VI of the Synod’s Constitution and
the current and historic bylaws that elucidate the article; and be it further
Resolved, That the study involve the Council of Presidents, the districts, circuits, and seminaries; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to engage in the study to promote unity, harmony, and understanding; and
be it further
Resolved, That following the study, the Commission on Handbook,
in consultation and concurrence with the Synod President, the Commission on Constitutional Matters and the Council of Presidents, submit a
proposal to clarify and affirm or amend Art. VI to the next convention of
the Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That we give thanks to the almighty God for the privilege
and opportunity He gives us to work and walk together in this Synod as
His ambassadors in and to the worlds in which we live.

and
Whereas, The President of the Synod has failed to make provisions for the preparation of materials (a study) that explain the
biblical, confessional, and historical basis for Art. VI of the Synod’s
Constitution and the current and historic bylaws that elucidate the
article; and
Whereas, A study has been prepared by Professor Dr. Gerhardt
Bode at the request of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
(CCM), which resource is currently available to the Synod at http://
www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=1710; and
Whereas, The 1981 CTCR opinion “The Nature and Implications
of the Concept of Fellowship” (p. 46) states:
At the same time, it must also be recognized that unusual and difficult situations can and do arise in this world. Responsible commitment to our mutually agreed upon fellowship policies does not mean
legalistic slavery to rules. Rather, this very commitment itself demands
freedom for responsible pastoral ministry. When, in certain unusual circumstances, our regular ways of proceeding would get in the way of a
ministry of Word and sacrament to a person in spiritual need, then an alternate way of proceeding must be sought. In such cases the advice and
counsel of brothers in the ministry can be of inestimable value. It should
also be recognized that individuals equally committed to the Scriptural
principles of fellowship may not always come to identical conclusions
regarding specific ways of proceeding in administering pastoral care in
such exceptional cases. It is imperative that pastors show a mutual respect for one another’s ministry. Uninformed and judgmental criticism
of actions which appear to be violations of mutually agreed-upon ways
of proceeding are destructive of the trust and confidence which fellow
members of the Synod should have in one another. It should go without saying, however, that Christian love includes the exercise of loving
admonition and doctrinal oversight, especially by those to whom this
responsibility has been entrusted.

and
Whereas, The April 2004 CTCR opinion “Guidelines for
Participation in Civic Events” (pp. 15–19) states:
Civic events present a different set of circumstances. In these situations adherents of non-Christian religions may have also been invited to
participate. It is understood that LCMS pastors who participate in civic
events of any kind will take care to ensure that their prayers clearly and
faithfully reflect Scripture’s teaching regarding the nature of the true
God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the exclusivity of access to God
through faith in Christ alone. [p. 15]
The majority of the commission believes that in some instances it
may be possible and permissible for LCMS pastors to participate in such
an event as long as certain conditions are met (e.g., when the purpose
of the event in question is clearly and predominately civic in nature,
and when it is conducted in such a way that does not correspond to the
LCMS understanding of a “service,” when no restrictions are placed on

2013 Convention Workbook