Resolutions That Impact Doctrine and Practice of LCMS Congregations
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

Numerous important resolutions were adopted by the 2001 LCMS Convention that cannot be addressed in one article. However, the following are some excellent resolutions that have direct and immediate impact on the doctrine and practice of all congregations in the LCMS.

2-08A "Ministry to Homosexuals and their Families"

On Sunday evening, homosexuals picketed the LCMS Convention and we could not use one of the exits out of the building. Death threats were made against President Kuhn and President Elect Kieschnick. One man was arrested. For the remainder of the Convention, a bodyguard followed both Kuhn and Kieschnick.

The resolution described homosexuality as, "lust and activity to be sin contrary to the created order (Rom. 1:24-27)."

It quoted the 1973 resolution 2-04 which stated such "behavior as intrinsically sinful." Among a number of resolves, it recommended that LCMS congregations follow "A Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families" prepared by the President's task force. It was adopted 1034 to 52. Congressman Dannemeyer has written that the task force document is not strong enough; however, the resolution 2-04 is excellent.

3-05 "To Formally Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia"

The Latvian church has four women clergy but we voted that the women clergy were not in fellowship with us. Their new Bishop stated that he would not ordain any more women.

The following resolve was added from the floor, "That this declaration of fellowship does not acknowledge that those women who have been ordained are recognized as ordained clergy who can serve in the capacity of ordained clergy in the LCMS."

3-06 "To Reach Out Aggressively to Emerging Lutheran Churches"

The last resolve was changed to read, "That he [the LCMS President] work to establish altar and pulpit fellowship with these church bodies as expeditiously as possible when agreement in doctrine and practice exists."

3-07A "To commend 'The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship' and the CTCR Report on the Synodical Discussions"

The resolution supported the document published on page 375 to 387 of the Convention Work Book as the proper understanding of church fellowship, which in effect means that Missouri Synod congregations do not serve Communion to members of other church bodies with whom we are not in fellowship, including members of the ELCA.

3-09A "To Commend and Clarify Intentional Interim Ministry"

There has been a great deal of confusion as to whether an "Intentional Interim Pastor" is actually a pastor because the Bible and Lutheran Confessions do not recognize "timed" or "temporary" calls, which means that God may not acknowledge the human invention of a IIP or Intentional Interim Pastor. He may be, as Christ describes it, nothing more than a "hireling." A number of districts are telling congregations they can't call a regular pastor if they don't have an IIP first. This is in direct violation of the LCMS Constitution, which guarantees the congregation's right to call the pastor of their choice when they wish to issue a call. The last resolve was most important:

"Resolved, That the CTCR in consultation with the Council of Presidents provide clarification of the relationship between Intentional Interim Ministry, vacancy ministry, and 'temporary calls' and the utility thereof for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as part of its soon to be completed study of 'Theology and Practice of the Divine Call.'"

3-16 "To Encourage Use of Fruit of the Vine in the Lord's Supper"

In this resolution the congregations are encouraged to only use wine in the Lord's Supper because this is all that Christ used and prescribed. Nothing has the character of a Sacrament unless otherwise instituted by Christ. One delegate asked if watermelon juice qualified as "fruit of the vine." The answer from the Chair was, "No." It was explained that "fruit of the vine" in the New Testament must be understood as only referring to fermented grape juice.

3-21 "To Express Concerns Regarding ELCA"

The final resolve states, "we cannot consider them [the ELCA] be to an orthodox Lutheran church body."

During the debate, is was brought to the attention of the Convention that the ELCA was in effect no longer Lutheran because of its recognition of gay and women clergy, agreement with the Catholic Church on a false doctrine of justification, and fellowship with the Presbyterian, Episcopal, Reformed, and United Church of Christ, which do not have the real presence in the Lord 's Supper. Added to the resolution was a statement that recognized that in ELCA there were still some lay people who believed and confessed the proper understanding of Lutheranism. More than a 2/3rd majority adopted the entire resolution.

5-11A "To Work Collaboratively re Issues of Pastoral Leadership"

There were a number of resolutions in the Convention Workbook from 5-43 to 5-55 on pages 221-224 requesting the Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) be given Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status, which would make them eligible to receive and raise funds with the blessing of the LCMS. There were also a few that asked the PLI not receive such status by the Convention because the Board for Higher Education (BHE) had already denied RSO status to PLI. Committee 5 decided to simply honor the BHE decision and not bring any resolution about PLI to the Convention.

On Saturday before the Convention, speaking in favor of Committee 5's decision before the Committee were Rev. Herman Otten, Congressman William Dannemeyer, Rev. Jack Cascione, and Mrs. Georgann McKee of St. John's Lutheran Church in Orange, CA. Doctor Norbert Oesch, the director of PLI, also testified before Committee 5 and agreed that it might be more prudent for PLI not to seek RSO status from the Convention. Committee 5 presented 5-11a, which simply encouraged a generic effort by both seminaries to encourage pastoral leadership training. Unless the BHE reverses itself or the Board of Directors takes up the issue, it appears that PLI will not be a part of the Missouri Synod and all pastoral education will remain with the seminaries.

6-02A "To Reiterate Synod's Stance on Abortion"

Once again the LCMS restated its excellent position against abortion as murder. The words, "unless it is done to save the life of the mother," were added to the resolution. The resolution also condemned the use of RU234.

6-12 "To Support Lifelong Sexual Purity"

This rather mundane resolution became a focal point of declining sexual morals. It condemns couples living together without marriage. The Convention voted 724 to 204 to describe cohabitation as "sin." A second addition was made to describe marriage as being "between one man and one woman." This eliminates the imaginary status states such as Vermont wish to give to gay couples.

7-03 "To Observe the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod"

This resolution addressed the issue of whether officers and agencies of the Synod had to follow the Synodical Constitution. The resolution states that all officers, agencies, staff members, and boards must follow the LCMS Constitution and may not exceed the authority given to them in the Constitution.

7-11 "To Move Property Ownership Bylaw to Constitution"

This resolution illustrates the brilliance of Committee 7 Chairman, Montana District President Doctor George Wollenburg. For the first time in the history of the Synod, the Convention voted by an overwhelming 1103 to 36 to add the following words to Article 7 of the LCMS Constitution on congregational autonomy.

"2. Membership of a congregation in the Synod gives the Synod no equity in the property of the congregation."

In other words, the Synod can't own congregations as does the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, United Methodist Church, the ELCA, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Disciples of Christ, and others. As more congregations give up voter supremacy for a pastoral or board of directors hierarchy as found in other large US church bodies, this resolution will prevent the LCMS from owning the deeds of its member congregations. Well done, Dr. Wollenburg!

7-17A "To Affirm Synod's Official Position on Church and Ministry"

An article about this resolution, which may have taken more Convention time and interest than any other resolution, was published by Reclaim News titled, "Missouri Synod Confesses 150 Year Old Doctrine of Church and Ministry" and gives a more thorough examination of 7-17A.

This resolution reaffirmed the Synod's unique congregational polity after the ELCA adopted Episcopal hierarchy and pastoral domination of congregations. This resolution restated the doctrinal basis for voter supremacy in all LCMS congregations. The phrase "under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions" was added to the resolution. It was pointed out that all LCMS Convention resolutions are under the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. The most important impact of the resolution is the last resolve.

"Resolved, that all pastors, professors, teachers of the Church and congregations honor and uphold the resolutions of the Synod as regards the official position of our Synod on Church and Ministry and teach in accordance with them."

In other words, all the professors, officials, and pastors have to teach that Walther's "Church and Ministry" is the official position of Synod. Concordia Publishing House sold out about 200 copies of the book to the Convention delegates. It is now being reprinted. At the moment, this is the hottest book in Synod. It is a direct slam against every attempt to change worship, prevent a call to a pastor, or disenfranchise voters' assemblies in all LCMS Congregations. The congregation is above the pastor, the district president, and the Synodical president. Well done, Dr. Wollenburg!

7-22A "To Clarify Opinion of Commission on Constitutional Matters"

This resolution addressed the question as to whether doctrinal resolutions adopted by the Convention were binding on LCMS congregations. The third resolve addressed the issue.

"Resolved, While expressing dissent (bylaw 2.39 c) no congregation of the Synod is free to disregard or refuse to abide by the doctrinal resolutions of the Synod;" It passed 658 to 441.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

July 24, 2001