Current Congregations Matter Advice on Resolution 7-03 Regarding Concordia Texas: A Substitute Motion to Help Bring Reconciliation and Resolution
Category: Overtures
Convention Day One: A Report and Prayer
Congregations Matter’s Day One convention report tells story of the day and calls for unity of heart, mind, and purpose for the days to come. It ends with a prayer for the day.
Advice on Resolutions from Our Congregations – Our Synod
Our Congregations — Our Synod provides the best advice we can to delegates regarding nominees and resolutions before the Milwaukee convention.
Resolution 7-04 (Today’s Business 1, Pages 141-165). To Revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities with the Synod
Resolution 7-04 has changed again. It needs MUCH more conversation before the Synod even thinks about the consideration of this changing the CUS.
Talk or Fight — Which Will Win at Convention?
Leaders and delegates coming to our Milwaukee convention will have to decide if they want to talk, listen, and reconcile — or fight, denounce, and condemn.
Resolution 11-06, Today’s Business 1, Pages 208, To Oppose Mandatory Registration of Women into the Draft
What should concern delegates? This resolution will most likely come at the end of Committee Eleven’s time on the floor. That doesn’t mean it can’t negatively impact the LCMS and individual members seeking to be classified as conscientious objectors. Because this resolution objects to the possibility of the registration of women for the draft on religious grounds, it is akin to taking a doctrinal position on the draft. The CTCR has not produced a statement against the government drafting men into the military in time of war or national need — nor has the LCMS considered it. So is this resolution proposing a doctrinal position or a cultural position? If we in the LCMS don’t object to women serving in the military voluntarily, then do we really have religious grounds to speak against women serving in the military involuntarily? This is a confusion of the Two Kingdoms and a confusion
Resolution 11-02, Today’s Business 1, Pages 205-206, To Reject All Forms of Racism and Affirm Our Witness to All People
What should concern delegates? This resolution rejecting all forms of racism should be passed with amendments. While well-meant in its broad-stroke condemnation of racism, it refers to “White Nationalism” without citing its close partner, so-called “Christian Nationalism.” Christian Nationalism wickedly twists race and faith and national origin in a way detrimental to our neighbors and our Gospel proclamation to them. Some in the LCMS during the recent “Annotated Large Catechism Crisis” espoused this view. What can be done about it? Delegates will want to ask some questions and, at a minimum, amend the twelfth and thirteenth Whereases (lines 30-33) to include “Christian Nationalism” as a form of racism. Delegates should also consider amending the tenth Whereas (lines 26-27) to read “Whereas, as with all movements, proponents of BLM, DEI, and CRT are multifaceted, and some of their proponents include in their statements of support controversial aspects and theories as well
Resolutions 5-08 and 5-13, (Today’s Business 1, Pages 121-122 and 126). To Affirm In-Person Communion and To Address Uses of Online Technology
Resolution 5-08 affirms in-person communion by condemning the practice of “online” communion. 5-13 asks for conversation about technology and worship.
Resolution 10-7, Today’s Business 1, Pages 202-203, To Affirm and commend CCM Opinion 22-2980
Resolution 10-07 supports CCM Opinion 22-2980 and pits the rights and needs of two calling congregations and a pastor against one another.
Resolution 4-02 (Today’s Business 1, Pages 101-102) To Affirm and Continue Making Disciples for Life as Mission and Ministry Emphasis for 2023-26 Triennium
Resolution 4-02 funnels ministry emphases from Synod boards TO congregations instead of receiving and coordinating them FROM congregations.