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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 280

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

280

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters

princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that
are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among
you” (Matt. 20:25–26); and
Whereas, Article VII of the Constitution of the LCMS has provided solid evangelical freedom to our congregations since 1847; and
Whereas, The heart of confessional Lutheranism is encompassed within the Holy Scriptures and confessional documents of
the Lutheran Church; and
Whereas, A congregation’s responsibilities to honor and uphold
the Synod’s resolutions regarding matters of doctrinal importance
are already addressed in Article II of the LCMS Constitution; and
Whereas, It is noted that the 2010 Blue Ribbon Task Force Report
on Synod Structure and Governance (BRTFSSG) Report (R8-32),
calls for a Synod-wide study of the wording in Article VII and recommended additions to Article VII, opening the possibility for conflict
with Article II, maybe even restricting or imposing authorized adiaphora through convention resolutions; and
Whereas, The proposed BRTFSSG amendment offered in R8-32
introduces wording such as “All members of the Synod … make a
… mutual covenant of love,” which is ambiguous and reminiscent of
Reformed covenant theology, since our churches are not constrained
to walk together should irreconcilable differences arise; and
Whereas, The BRTFSSG recommendation also introduces such
wording as “abide by” in relation to “convention resolutions,” which
are given the status of “the collective will of the Synod,” thereby conflicting with or diametrically opposing the intent of section A, which

2013 Convention Workbook

guarantees that Synod “is but an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution … is of binding force …”; and
Whereas, The BRTFSSG proposed amendment offered in R8-32
also introduces the wording “Pledge … support of the Synod’s efforts
to carry out its mission and purpose,” which seems to suggest a shift
in the current “from the heart” stewardship practices; and
Whereas, The BRTFSSG proposed amendment offered in R8-32
imposes on Synod members a “promise” that congregations or pastors who “find themselves to be in disagreement with Synod’s actions
or positions” will “follow the Synod’s authorized procedures,” this
wording appearing to shift authority over accountability from the
congregation, gathered around Word and Sacrament ministry, to the
Synod, which is to be only an advisory body; and
Whereas, There is significant work to be done to fine tune
the structural changes made during the 2010 convention, and any
attempted changes to Article VII will only distract and divide at this
time; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS Oklahoma District convention in 2012
adopt the following overture to the 2013 LCMS convention, that the
Synod
reject the proposed wording of the BRTFSSG amendment offered in
R8-32;
resolve that only the current word “inexpedient” be amended to read
“unsuitable,” and that otherwise no changes be made to Article VII
at this time; and
reaffirm the congregational polity of LCMS congregations.

Oklahoma District