LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 156

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5. THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Definition (Commission on Theology and Church Relations
[St. Louis: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 2022]),
Marriage between Church and State: A Report on Clergy Serving
as “Agents of the State” (Commission on Theology and Church
Relations [St. Louis: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
2021]), and Gender Identity Disorder and Gender Dysphoria in
Christian Perspective (Commission on Theology and Church
Relations [St. Louis: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
2014]); and be it finally
Resolved, That Synod in convention urge its pastors to
preach and teach God’s counsel regarding the biblical design
for marriage and sexuality with courage, as well as to exercise
compassionate pastoral care to those struggling with sexual
sin and misunderstanding.
Action: Adopted (8)

Upon immediate closure of debate as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted [Yes: 934; No: 34].

To Address Lutheran Theological Principles
of Mission and Ministry
in Post-Christian Context
RESOLUTION 5-12
President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:24)
WHEREAS, The Church faces many cultural challenges and
lives in an environment increasingly opposed to Christianity;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention ask the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations to prepare a
document on the present challenges to Christianity in the
North American context to equip pastors and congregations
for faithful ministry and outreach in a post-Christian world.
Action: Adopted (8)

Upon immediate closure of debate as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted [Yes: 910; No: 48].

To Address Uses of Online Technology
RESOLUTION 5-13A

Heb. 10:25) and creating confusion and even conflict with
Confession and Absolution, Communion, voting practices,
church membership, and more, as to what is proper and
beneficial and what should not be practiced “virtually”; and
WHEREAS, These technologies and platforms for “virtual”
worship did not exist and were not practiced until recent
times and thus have not been specifically addressed by the
historical Lutheran church in terms of best practices; and
WHEREAS, Such practice of “virtual” worship has not been
discussed by the Synod as a whole, much less considered and
commended by it on a scriptural and confessional basis; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized the need
for collegial debate, collaborative decision-making, and
consensus building, enshrining “[t]he example of the
apostolic church (Acts 15:1–31)” in the Preamble of its
Constitution and by adopting a process whereby those
principles may be observed with respect to the adoption of
doctrinal statements in Bylaw 1.6.2 (b); and
WHEREAS, The witness of Scripture and the early Christian
Church was that “after there had been much debate” (Acts
15:7) on the controverted matter regarding the circumcision of
Gentile converts a decision was made; and
WHEREAS, There is great benefit from the debate and
discussion as described in Acts 15:7 as πολλῆς (pollēs)—
much, multitudinous, plenteous, numerous, a great amount
on significant and controverted matters; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP), the office
of the President, and the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations (CTCR) establish a process as described in
Acts 15 of not less than a year that allows for much fraternal
discussion and edification with respect to a theology of online
technology, including practices of “virtual” worship, Bible
studies, and other online ministries, as well as church
membership; and be it further
Resolved, That the COP, the office of the President, and the
CTCR produce a joint document to be presented in a manner
that allows for appropriate theological reflection and study
and provides practical guidance to the questions of online
technology; and be it finally
Resolved, That this process would preferably involve faceto-face discussions within circuits and districts between
leaders that reflect the divergent and diverse positions with
the process and the participants to be determined by
consensus of the COP.

Overtures 5-20, 28–29 (CW, 299–300, 304)

Action: Adopted (8)

WHEREAS, The use of online technology in various formats
(i.e., livestreamed and recorded worship, online Bible studies,
etc.) has been a great help in keeping congregations united
through the hearing of God’s Word and communicating
information and a benefit in proclaiming the Word to untold
multitudes in the tradition of the Lutheran Hour; and

Upon immediate closure of debate as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted by voice vote.

WHEREAS, The use of online technology also has its
negative aspects, such as inadvertently permitting members
not to gather physically as encouraged in Scripture (Acts 2:42;
156 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolutions