LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 148

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Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to the congregations of the Synod to rejoice in the freedom of instrumentation,
style, and sequence within this basic framework; and be it further

To Continue and Expand the Koinonia Project

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to the congregations of the Synod to remember and consider for use the richness
of the biblical canticles (for example, the Kyrie, Gloria in Excelsis,
Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Nunc Dimittis); and be it further

Overture 4-01, 4-30 (CW, pp. 329, 339-340)

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to the congregations of the Synod to reaffirm Synod’s Constitution Art. VI 4, in
which we willingly agree to the “exclusive use of doctrinally pure
agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and school” in all
worship services; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to the pastors
and other worship leaders of the Synod to make a rich and full use
of the Church’s liturgies, “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”
(Col. 3:16); and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to the educational institutions of the Synod to educate and form students in
the riches of the Church’s liturgies, “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16); and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to our congregations and workers to welcome and encourage the development
and use of new hymns, spiritual songs, and liturgical settings which
continually are called forth by the Holy Spirit, not as a supplanting to what has come before, but as a supplement to it, its living
growth; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention appeal to the circuits
and districts of the Synod and the Council of Presidents to engage
in full and open discussion in the next triennium of how this spirit
of unity and freedom is put into practice in our walk together, and
that the District Presidents would encourage the implementation
of the spirit of unity and freedom expressed in this resolution and
report back to the 2019 convention.
Action: Adopted (9)
(During discussion, a proposed amendment was accepted as a
friendly amendment by the committee to add the phrase “including praying the Lord’s Prayer” in the first resolve paragraph after
the word “needs.” An amendment was also proposed to replace the
first resolve paragraph with the first resolve paragraph from the
original Res. 4-04 printed on pages 64–66 in the preconvention
issue of Today’s Business. After discussion, the proposed amendment was withdrawn. When the chair asked whether the assembly
was ready to vote on the resolution, debate was ended [Yes: 726; No:
192] and Res. 4-04A was adopted as changed [Yes: 795; No: 146].)

RESOLUTION 4-05A

Whereas, The Constitution of the Synod (Article XI B 3)
enjoins the President to “conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in
all the districts of the Synod”; and
Whereas, The goals of the Koinonia Project are laudable and
are goals for which we fervently pray; and
Whereas, A framework has been established in the Koinonia
Project concept paper, which can be found on the Synod website
(http://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=884); and
Whereas; The Koinonia Project has been developing since 2010
and is ongoing; and
Whereas, True koinonia is God’s gift, whole and complete in
the Lord Jesus; our work is to study the Word of God together,
because that is where God gives His gift of koinonia in Christ as
the Holy Spirit works through the Gospel purely preached and the
Sacraments rightly administered (Ap VII and VIII); and
Whereas, The 2013 Synod convention directed to expand the
Koinonia Project by directing the Council of Presidents to engage
in the Koinonia Project (2013 Res. 3-01A); and
Whereas, The Council of Presidents for the 2013–2016 triennium have engaged in and benefited from the Koinonia Project; and
Whereas, Some districts and circuits have employed the Koinonia Project with positive results; and
Whereas, It would be desirable if the Koinonia Project were
developed to be broader and deeper across the Synod, with the
prayer that there be a cultural shift toward more open and honest discussion under the Word of God, and that more resources be
developed; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention assign oversight of the
Koinonia Project to the Synod Praesidium (Synod President and
Vice-Presidents); and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents continue the Koinonia
Project ordinarily at every meeting using study groups chosen by
blind draw, and report to the 2019 Synod convention of their progress; and be it further
Resolved, That each district president promote the Koinonia
Project within his district and include an update on the Koinonia
Project in his report to his district in 2018 and in his report to the
2019 Synod convention; and be it finally
Resolved, That each member of the Synod and each member of a
Synod congregation will follow the principles of the Koinonia Project, namely, that when there is disagreement regarding doctrine
and practice the baptized will come together through their unity in
Christ to live out that unity as they study the Word of God and pray.
Action: Adopted (9)

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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

“4. Life Together”