LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 398

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398

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
2010 Convention Proceeding
pp. 115-116

2010 Convention Proceeding
p.114
To Support Confessional Lutheranism at Home and Abroad
To Cooperate in Externals with Theological Integrity

RESOLUTION 3-02A

RESOLUTION 3-03

Overture 3-14 (CW, p. 169)
WHEREAS, The decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its August 2009
Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis regarding homosexual relationships are contrary to Scripture and 2000 years
of Christian teaching and to confessional Lutheranism in particular; and
WHEREAS, Many congregations and individuals have withdrawn from or are considering withdrawal from
affiliation with or membership in the ELCA and consider their decision necessitated by conscience, Holy Scripture,
and right reason; and
WHEREAS, For the sake of good order and in furtherance of the clear proclamation of the Gospel of Christ,
many of these same congregations and individuals have organized themselves into groups such as Word Alone,
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, etc.; and
WHEREAS, Individual and congregational contacts from the ELCA with LCMS congregations and officials
have increased significantly since August 2009; and
WHEREAS, This decision by the ELCA has also grieved Lutherans and upset inter-church relations among
confessional Lutheran church bodies outside the United States; and

Overtures 3-01–02, 3-05–08 (CW, pp. 165–167)
WHEREAS, The 2001, 2004, and 2007 conventions of the Synod asked that various aspects of cooperative
working arrangements with the ELCA be evaluated by the Praesidium with results and recommendations reported to
the subsequent conventions; and
WHEREAS, In 2010 President Kieschnick formed a task force to address the theological implications of the
decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly regarding homosexuality; and
WHEREAS, The task force produced a document titled “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA
Decisions” (2010 Convention Workbook [CW], pp. 14–18); and
WHEREAS, “Theological Implications” refers to the Synod’s longstanding position: “Our Synod should
clearly recognize that, in cases of necessary work on the local, national, or international level, where the faith and
confession of the church are not compromised, and where it appears essential that the churches of various
denominations should cooperate or at least not work at cross purposes, our churches ought to cooperate willingly to
the extent that the Word of God and conscience will allow” (1965 Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) Report, Theology of Fellowship [ p. 43], officially adopted by the Synod in 1967 [Res. 2-13]); and

WHEREAS, While this state of disruption and uncertainty among confessional Lutherans threatens to hinder
the proclamation of the Gospel, it also calls us to confess our faith anew; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s position stated above clearly sets forth two fundamental principles:
1.
2.

WHEREAS, The LCMS, while not encouraging discord in the ELCA, nevertheless cannot turn away from
those who dissent from the ELCA, lest we deny our own convictions; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS has been encouraged to provide leadership and support to emerging and formative
Lutheran church bodies; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS earnestly pray for her brothers and sisters in the ELCA, including those who
have departed from this biblical and Christian understanding, asking that the ELCA would reconsider—even now—
its actions; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS provide encouragement to other Lutheran church bodies as they strive to remain
faithful to confessional Lutheranism; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS commend groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for
Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, and others for their courage and faithfulness in opposing the ELCA’s recent
decision; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS commend efforts such as the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR)-sponsored Confessional Leadership Conference (June 2010) which gathered Lutheran leaders from around
the world for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR be requested to continue to develop plans for confessional leadership (cf. 2007
Res. 3-03) by sponsoring an international model theological conference on confessional leadership in the 21st
century; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS through the Office of the President and the CTCR continue to explore ways
together with the ILC to bring together Lutherans for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism throughout
the world.
Action: Adopted (6)

and

“the church cannot compromise its faith and confession;” and
“there are circumstances in which churches ‘ought to cooperate’ to the extent that the Word of
God and conscience will allow;”

WHEREAS, The task force statement goes on to offer the following analysis and guidance:
In light of these two principles, it has been the longstanding practice of confessional Lutheran
churches to distinguish between joint participation by churches and church workers in Word and
Sacrament ministry (“altar and pulpit fellowship” or communio in sacris) and cooperation between
churches in matters of physical need (cooperatio in externis). To maintain such a distinction
carefully and conscientiously prevents both compromise of the teachings of the Christian faith and
disregard of human needs which can be addressed more effectively by groups working together
than by individuals or churches working on their own.
Because of doctrinal differences, the LCMS is not now nor has it ever been able to be in a
relationship of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ELCA. Nevertheless, we have engaged in many
cooperative activities with the ELCA, nationally and locally, in order to meet physical needs.
These cooperative activities, however, are threatened by the sexuality decisions of the ELCA,
because, in some cases, the ELCA’s new affirmation of same-gender relationships may contradict
understandings or goals that have enabled cooperative activities in the past. As one example, the
CTCR already in 2006 addressed the decision of an adoption agency to treat same-gender
relationships as equal to marriage for adoptive purposes. The opinion states: “On the basis of the
clear teaching of Scripture regarding homosexual behavior and about God’s will and design for
marriage and the family as foundational units for society as a whole, it is the express opinion of
the CTCR that a policy of placing adopted or foster children into homosexual contexts would
stand in opposition to the official doctrinal position of the LCMS.”
In areas where we currently have working arrangements with ELCA congregations and entities,
the status of those working relationships is dependent on policies and actions taken by the various

(Debate was quickly ended and the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 1,093; No: 61].)

2010 Convention Proceeding
pp. 115-116

2010 Convention Proceeding
pp. 115-116

entities from national to local levels. We do not believe the ELCA’s recent sexuality decisions
should necessarily or summarily end our work together in these agencies. However, we hope and
expect that the leadership of such entities will respect the theological position of the Synod
(including its position on same-gender sexual activity) and avoid any policies or decisions which
would require us to cease our support and involvement in their activities.

paragraph was ruled out of order by the chair, the words in question being a part of a quotation from the Synod’s position. An
amendment was proposed to add a final resolve “that the President of the Synod, the Praesidium, and the Council of Presidents
develop a plan to sever those joint actions with the ELCA to present to the next Synod convention if the ELCA does not listen to
the pleading of their brothers and sisters from the Word of God.” During extended discussion of the proposed amendment, an
amendment to the amendment was proposed to insert the word “contingency” before the word “plan.” This change was agreed to
by the maker of the amendment as a friendly amendment. The motion to amend was not carried [Yes: 415; No: 723]. A motion to
strike the word “Lutheran” in the second resolve was accepted by the floor committee as a friendly amendment. A motion to
replace the date “July 13, 2011” from an earlier amendment with “September 1, 2011” was ruled an improper motion unless
changed to a motion to reconsider the amendment made earlier. The assembly was asked whether it wished to reconsider the
earlier amendment and declined [Yes: 400; No: 708]. When discussion was continued in Session 9, debate was ended and Res. 303 was adopted as amended [Yes: 961; No: 175].)

We cannot dictate the exact direction(s) various cooperative relationships will take in the future,
primarily because the nature of agreements between ELCA and LCMS congregations and entities
varies on a case-by-case basis. Frank and serious discussion on this issue needs to continue on
various levels so that convictions and beliefs are not compromised and that worthy projects,
activities, and relationships between our church and others may continue wherever possible. We
urge LCMS participants in such cases to make decisions about whether to continue involvement
on the basis of the principles we have discussed. We also suggest the following questions for
consideration in making these decisions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Is the purpose of the joint work fully consistent with the positions, policies, and
objectives of the Synod?
Do cooperative efforts imply doctrinal unity with the ELCA or endorsement of ELCA
positions on same-sex relationships or other matters of disagreement with the LCMS?
Does the joint agency or organization distinguish itself as an entity from the churches that
support it?
Are all the policies and programs of the organization consonant with the doctrinal
position of the LCMS?
Do the individuals who lead the organization openly support and encourage efforts,
positions, or policies which compromise the theological stance of the Synod?

We urge LCMS participants to answer such questions as these and to make decisions about
whether to continue involvement on the basis of the principles we have discussed [2010 CW, p.
16].
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the task force be thanked and commended for its work on identifying practical implications
of the 2009 ELCA decisions on human sexuality; and be it further
Resolved, That, in keeping with the basic principles set forth in the task force statement, cooperation in
externals with other churches, including the ELCA, continue with theological integrity; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the opportunity to give witness to God’s care for all people
through such cooperative work; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR, in consultation with the Praesidium and other entities and individuals as needed,
develop more in-depth theological criteria for assessing cooperative endeavors, determining what would necessitate
termination of such cooperative efforts; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Praesidium, in consultation with the CTCR, provide an assessment of the current state
of cooperation in externals and a full report of criteria for on-going assessment of the same by July 13, 2011.
Action: Adopted (9)
(During initial discussion during Session 6, an amendment deleted the words “the next convention” at the end of the final
resolve and replaced them with the words “July 13, 2011” [Yes: 783; No: 359]. After further discussion, a motion was introduced
to consider Ov. 3-05 (CW, p. 166) as a substitute resolution. The assembly declined to consider the substitute [Yes: 495; No:
653]. During continued discussion during Session 7, John Nunes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran World
Relief spoke in support of the resolution. An amendment to delete the words “and conscience” at the end of the fifth whereas

2013 Convention Workbook