LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 149

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5. THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge with gratitude that
His saints have been blessed by the growth of this “daughter
church” of the LCMS and its establishment as a self-governing
Lutheran church body; and be it further

By way of explanation, existing paragraphs (b–d) are
subsumed under a new summary heading as (b)(1–3) and (e)
is deleted; situations formerly falling under (e) will be handled
under the new (b)(1–3) as appropriate.

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge with gratitude the
unity of confession that has been given to our churches under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further

Therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod declare its recognition of the
CELC as a self-governing partner church with which the LCMS
enjoys altar and pulpit fellowship; and be it further
Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming
years on this agreement in the confession of the Gospel, which
we enjoy as partner churches, and for the power and blessing
of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the CELC; and be
it finally
Resolved, That in thanksgiving for this partnership in the
Gospel, the convention assembly celebrate its approval by
rising and singing the common doxology.
Action: Adopted (2)

The resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice vote,
the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the common
doxology was sung. Bishop A. Arulchelvan, who could not be
present, was represented by Pastor Steven Mahlburg, LCMS
Office of International Mission missionary to Sri Lanka, in the
reading of the bishop’s remarks to the assembly, these being
included in Today’s Business 3.

To Clarify and Simplify Bylaws regarding
Routes to Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
RESOLUTION 5-06
Overture 5-08 (CW, 290–91)
Rationale
The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)
has reviewed Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 and proposed consolidation and
clarification of the language dealing with its role in
recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship. Presently routes to
fellowship are presented in four cases (b–e), which are stated
in terms of certain presumptions (e.g., that all fellowship
requests originate from potential partners and not in the other
direction), redundancies (e.g., in each of [b–e], there exists a
relatively uniform statement that the convention must
approve; [e] seems, furthermore, to be redundant with [b–d]),
and potential unclarities. CTCR submitted its proposal to the
Commission on Handbook, which consulted with the
Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM Op. 22-3001,
Minutes of Nov. 4–5, 2022) and now presents the proposal for
adoption. It understands the change to be non-substantive, in
that it should allow the same scope of actions under new
bylaw language, but substantial enough a change of language
regarding a critical function of the Synod that it should be
presented for the convention’s consideration and for its more
prominent historical record.
Resolutions

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Commission on Theology and Church Relations
…
3.9.5.2.2 The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations shall assist the President of the Synod at his
request in discharging his constitutional responsibilities
for maintaining doctrinal integrity as he relates to other
church bodies.
(a) It shall address itself to and evaluate existing
fellowship relations for the purpose of mutual
admonition and encouragement.
(b) It shall address itself to potential fellowship and/or
partner church relations as follows:
(b1) When a church body applies for formal Formal
recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship
withbetween the Synod and another church body,
such recognition shall be proposed at a convention of
the Synod only after the approval of the commission.
(c2) When a Formal recognition of altar and pulpit
fellowship between the Synod and a small, formative,
emerging confessional Lutheran church body
(identified as such by the President of the Synod as
chief ecumenical officer) requests recognition of altar
and pulpit fellowship with the Synod may be declared
by the Synod President only after the approval of the
commission and , after consultation with the
Praesidium and approval by the commission, such.
Such recognition may be declared by the President of
the Synod shall be subject to the endorsement of the
subsequent Synod convention.
(d3) When a Formal recognition of a mission of the
Synod applies for formal recognition as a selfgoverning partner church, such recognition shall be
proposed at convention of the Synod by the Board for
International Mission withafter the approval of the
commission.
(e) When an entity (e.g., a district, mission, group of
congregations, etc.) of a self-governing partner church is
established as an independent church body in altar and
pulpit fellowship with that partner church body, and
subsequently requests recognition of altar and pulpit
fellowship with Synod, such recognition may be
declared by the President of Synod, after consultation
with the Praesidium and approval by the commission,
subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod
convention.
Action: Adopted (4)

With debate closed immediately at the suggestion of the chair,
the resolution was adopted by a voice vote.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 149