LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 31−February 1, 2006, Page 11

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Question 4:

May a congregation host a communion worship service at a convention in another district
without the district president’s approval?

Opinion: There is no requirement that a congregation obtain approval from a district president before
hosting worship with Holy Communion. The congregation as a member of the Synod will recognize,
honor, and respect the Office of District President and the fact that the Synod has divided itself into
districts and circuits especially for the sake of responsible ecclesiastical supervision by the appropriate
ecclesiastical supervisors. For instance, a district president may exercise ecclesiastical supervision in
regard to the activity of the local convention committee (which normally includes local pastors) occurring
in his area of jurisdiction.
Question 5:

Must the pastor from the host congregation be present for the hosted Communion worship
service?

Opinion: The Commission suggests that this question be asked of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations.
Question 6:

Must any other member of the host congregation be present for the hosted Communion
worship service?

Opinion: The Commission suggests that this question be asked of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations.
Due to the theological implications in all of the above questions, the Commission suggests consulting
with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations as well as its 1983 report, Theology and
Practice of the Lord’s Supper. In Res. 3-12, the 1983 convention of the Synod encouraged broad and
comprehensive study of this document by the members of the Synod. On pages 23 and 24 of this
document, the subject of “extracongregational services” is addressed.
126. Interpretation of 1998 Res. 3-04A re Use of General Creeds (05-2455)
In a letter dated December 20, 2005, a pastor of the Synod asked for clarification of the single resolve of
1998 convention Res. 3-04A (“To Maintain Use of General Creeds”): “That we beseech one another in
the mercies of God not to substitute informal statements of faith for the regular use of the three general
creeds of the church in our public worship services.”
Question 1: By being adopted is Resolution 3-04A currently the official position of the LCMS?... Since
the 1998 convention, has the Synod adopted any additional resolutions altering or rescinding
Resolution 3-04A?
Opinion: By the adoption of Res. 3-04A, the Synod stated its position on the subject while respecting the
autonomy of local congregations. Because there have been no subsequent resolutions adopted by the
Synod on the subject addressed by Res. 3-04A, the stated position stands.
Question 2: Are “informal statements of faith” not to be used in any LCMS worship service?
Opinion: The wording of the resolution states that the members of the Synod are to “beseech one another
in the mercies of God not to substitute informal statements of faith for the regular use of the three general
creeds of the church” in public worship services. This is not the same as prohibiting the use of informal
statements of faith.
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