LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 2–3, 2018, Page 15

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127. Doctrinally Pure Agenda, Hymnbooks, and Catechisms in Church and School (18-2873)
An ordained member of the Synod, referencing the fourth membership condition of Synod’s Constitution
(Const. Art. VI 4), “Exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and
school,” posed the following questions of the commission:
Question 1:

Are other hymnbooks and agenda currently in print besides Lutheran Service Book (2006),
Lutheran Worship (1982), or The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) that are doctrinally pure, and,
if so, how would they be identified as such? For instance: is the ELCA’s current hymnal,
Evangelical Lutheran Worship, doctrinally pure and appropriate for public use by members
of Synod? What about the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer and Hymnal 1979?
By what method would doctrinally impure worship materials be identified and their usage
made to cease by members of Synod?

Opinion:
The commission is responsible for interpreting the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions
of the Synod. The answer to this question, with regard to specific materials, would be a finding of fact that
lies outside the authority of the commission. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod do not identify a
particular “method” by which “doctrinally impure worship materials” would be identified. This is a matter
for ecclesiastical supervision (Const. Art. III 8; XI B 1–3; XII 7–8), which is carried out with reference to
the confessional position of the Synod (Const. Art. II), as applied in doctrinal resolutions and statements of
the Synod (Bylaws 1.6–9), and with the assistance of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(Bylaw section 3.9.5). Materials inconsistent with the confessional position of the Synod (Const. Art. II)
are not to be used in Synod congregations (Const. Art. VI 4). The use of such materials, despite futile
admonition, is incompatible with membership in the Synod (Const. Art. XIII 1) and would appropriately
be addressed by the district president’s evangelical advice, admonition, and reproof (Bylaw 4.4.4[b, e],
4.4.5–6), and, if necessary, application of the ecclesiastical supervision process delineated in the Bylaws
(Bylaw section 2.14).
Question 2:

Surely, scrutinizing all the subtle nuances and theological particulars of a Divine Service
and hundreds of hymns to determine doctrinal purity is too large a task for any individual
or small group (no matter how bright and orthodox) which is why we have a Synod in the
first place—to provide, among other things, reliably sound hymnbooks and catechisms!
Given these realities, doesn’t Const. Art. VI 4 require exclusive use of an actual, published,
hymnbook/agenda, whose content is fixed and can be carefully scrutinized by all LCMS
churches and schools, such that the usage of ad hoc “contemporary/creative” worship
materials—that change week to week and season to season—would be in violation of
Const. Art. VI 4?

Opinion:
While several of Synod’s objectives (Const. Art. III 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7) are furthered by
Synod’s provision of carefully-developed, thoroughly reviewed and approved worship materials, such as
our hymnals, and while encouraging congregations to “strive for uniformity in church practice” is itself an
objective of the Synod (Const. Art. III 7), the same objective acknowledges that the congregations may also
develop “an appreciation for a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our
common profession of faith.” This balanced approach is reflected in 2016 Res. 4-04A (Proceedings, 147–
8), “To Appeal to the LCMS Congregations, Workers, and Institutions within Christian Freedom and for
Love’s Sake to Retain a Common Order of Service for the Lord’s Supper” (see also 2010 Res 2-05, “To
Commend Theses on Worship,” and, regarding hymnody, 2013 Res. 3-12A, “To Affirm Our Worship
Treasures Old and New and Commend the Document, Text, Music, Context”). “Doctrinally pure materials”
are not limited to those materials produced and / or prior approved in some fashion by the Synod or its
agencies. Members of the Synod are expected to use diligent care and discernment in selecting for use only
those materials consonant with the confessional position of the Synod. Members (individual and
congregational) are encouraged to take to heart such advice as Synod and its proper agencies provide. When
members have questions, they should seek advice from their ecclesiastical supervisors.
CCM Minutes – February 2, 2018 – Page 103