A Statement of The Praesidium of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

A Reaffirmation of the Synod's Position on Close(d) Communion 21 August 1996

Distributed with the 1995 LCMS Convention Resolution 3-08 regarding Close(d) Communion

We, the members of the Praesidium of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, wish to express our joy in the fellowship the members of the Synod enjoy with one another in the true faith. We thank God for this blessing. We treasure the wonderful opportunities God gives our Synod to reach out to the world with the Gospel, bearing witness to the truths of God's Word, in a bold confession of our Lutheran faith. We recognize as part of this opportunity the responsibility to administer the Sacrament of the Altar in a faithful manner, being mindful of the need for careful instruction to those who desire to commune at the Lord's table. In accord with the Scriptures' and the Confessions' teaching about the Lord's Supper, and the nature and basis of church fellowship, our Synod continues to reaffirm the historic, confessional church practice of close(d) communion.

We are keenly aware that our Synod faces a critical moment in the history of the Lutheran church in America. Decisions are being contemplated by other churches to enter into eucharistic fellowship with one another, without the resolution of the long standing and critical differences that divide the Reformed and Lutheran churches. This is a time for our Synod to affirm boldly the great truths of our Lutheran confession and to offer an alternative to an increasingly pluralistic and secularized view of the Christian faith. Rather than being caught up in the times in which we live, we as a Synod are able to offer a unique and faithful Lutheran witness to those struggling with questions about truth and the meaning of what it is to be a Lutheran church in our world today. Rather than conforming to the spirit of our age, we have before us the opportunity for faithful confession and catechesis.

We recognize the pastoral responsibility the church has not merely to accept minimalistic concessions to ill-defined and un- examined confessions of the faith, but instead to lead people into the truth of the Scriptures, so that they may enjoy the fellowship of the church as it gathers at the altar to receive her Lord's body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar.

Because of our great respect for our Synod's fellowship in the Faith, and because of the opportunities which are presenting themselves to us to be and remain a strong, confessional Lutheran church in this country, and a voice for genuine confessional Lutheranism around the world, we must express our fraternal concern with the document, "A Declaration of Eucharistic Understanding and Practice." We regret the fact that some members of our synodical family have persisted in their public advocacy of an erroneous position in regard to close(d) communion. Sadly, they have done this in spite of the fraternal, pastoral and faithful admonition of our Synod's president, and of our Synod's district presidents, who have counseled with them about this situation.

Therefore, we affirm and commend to our Synod, the pastoral application of the faithful and evangelical resolution adopted by our Synod in convention last summer reaffirming our Synod's scriptural position on close(d) communion, Resolution 3-08. We ask that all members of the Synod, both church workers and congregations, receive, respect and conform their practice to this resolution. We, as the Praesidium of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, commit ourselves to its implementation among our fellowship and support our district presidents as they do the same. We recognize that it is the responsibility of the district presidents to maintain the integrity of our fellowship in our faith as they correct and reprove error in the discharge of the duties of their office. We offer our fraternal encouragement to them as they carry out their duty of doctrinal supervision in this matter.

We pray for God's continued blessing on our Synod. May He keep us ever steadfast and faithful, for the sake of our stewardship of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Praesidium of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Adopted August 21, 1996
To Reaffirm the Practice of Close[d] Communion

RESOLUTION 3-0
Adopted by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
July 1995 Convention

Preamble

Our teaching and practice of the Lord's Supper begin with the clear words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself regarding His gift in the Supper: "This is My body, given for you." "This cup is My blood of the new testament, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:17-29). Therefore we believe, teach and confess that the Lord Himself gives to each communicant His very body and His true blood in, with and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins (Real Presence-AC X, XXIV; Ap XIII, XXIV; SC VI; LC V; FC VII, Ep and SD). This "Real Presence" is not simply a general presence of Christ in the Supper, but refers to the fact that Christ's true body and blood are truly present in the consecrated bread and wine and received in the mouths of the communicants (1 Cor. 10:16). The presence of Christ's true body and blood does not depend on the faith of the recipient nor on the character of the one administering the Sacrament, but on the Word of Christ Himself, whose last will and testament the Supper is. By the power of His own Word He gives His body and blood (FC VII, Ep & SD). Though all communicants receive the body and blood in the bread and wine, only those who believe Christ's Word of promise regarding the Supper receive its benefits, namely, the forgiveness of sins. "He who believes these words has what they say and declare, namely, the forgiveness of sins." (SC VI, Tappert, p. 352; See also AC XIII). In other words, the Lord has provided His Supper for sinners who believe His promise: "This is my body. This cup is my blood of the new testament shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." Accordingly, the Sacrament is more than a simple assurance of grace. Rather, the body and blood of our Lord in the bread and wine are gifts by which our Lord Himself offers, gives and seals to us the forgiveness of sins.

A responsible Lutheran practice surrounding the Lord's Supper will take into account the fact that the Supper is also an expression of the oneness of the congregation in Christ and in His Gospel. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Cor. 11:26 RSV). One who eats and drinks at an altar confesses what is taught from that altar (1 Cor. 10:21). Each communicant is called on to examine himself before God (1 Cor. 11:28), to avoid creating divisions within the assembly (1 Cor. 11:17ff), and to hold no malice toward fellow communicants (Matt. 5:23-24). In addition, those who commune without discerning the body of the Lord or faith in Christ's promise eat and drink judgment on themselves (1 Cor. 11:29). They are guilty of profaning, not bread and wine, but the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:27). This is why the Confessions of our church assume a careful pastoral practice in connection with the Lord's Supper: "The custom has been retained among us of not administering the sacrament to those who have not previously been examined and absolved." (AC XXV, Tappert, p. 61).

Our desire to honor and obey the Word of Christ leads us in our pastoral practice to reserve the Sacrament for those who share this desire and confession. Since fellowship at the Lord's Table is a confession of faith in the Lord's promises professed at our altar, it would not be truthful for those who affirm Christ's gift of His body and blood in the bread and wine and those who deny it to join one another at the table. The last will and testament of Christ cannot be interpreted in contradictory ways. Pastors are called by God through the congregation to be faithful "stewards of the mysteries" (1 Cor. 4: 1-2), that is, faithfully to administer the Sacrament according to the Lord's institution. Love also requires that pastors and congregations keep from the Lord's Table those who by their profession (or lack of it) show that they could be eating and drinking judgment upon themselves (1 Cor. 11:27). As part of this practice the pastor will seek to prevent a profession of confessional unity in the faith where there is, in fact, disunity and disagreement.

In 1983 the CTCR reminded the Synod that "In keeping with the principle that the celebration and reception of the Lord's Supper is a confession of the unity of faith, while at the same time recognizing that there will be instances when sensitive pastoral care needs to be exercised, the Synod has established an official practice requiring that `pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those synods which are now in fellowship with us'" (CTCR, "Theology and Practice of the Lord's Supper," p. 22; 1967 Res. 2-19; 1969 Res. 3-18; 1981 Res. 3-01); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm 1967 Res. 2-19 that "pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those synods which are now in fellowship with us;" and be it further Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm 1986 Res. 3-08, "that the pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod continue to abide by the practice of close communion, which includes the necessity of exercising responsible pastoral care in extraordinary situations and circumstances," and beseech one another in love to remember that "situations of emergency and special cases of pastoral care" or "extraordinary situations and circumstances" are, by their nature, relatively rare; and be it further Resolved, That the Communion Card statement of the CTCR be recommended to the member congregations of Synod for guidance: The Lord's Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust in His Words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes.

Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are asked first to speak with the Pastor or an usher. For further study, see Matt. 5:23ff; 10:32ff; 18:15-35; 26:26- 29; 1 Cor. 11:17-34;

and be it finally

Resolved, That because we are "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3), any members of the Synod who advocate a different practice of Holy Communion be fraternally reminded of the commitment all the members of the Synod make to one another by subscribing the Constitution of Synod to honor and uphold its doctrine and practice and, where there is disagreement, to follow the proper channels of dissent as outlined in the synodical Bylaws 2.39 c.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Office of the President

FROM THE WORD

ACTIVITY REPORT

November 1999
11/17-18 COP meeting, San Diego, Calif.
11/19 LCEF/Foundation Fall Leadership Conference, San Diego, Calif.
11/23 Chapel at IC.
11/23 Meeting with Alan Buckman, IC.
11/24-30 In Florida.

December 1999
12/1 Meeting with Dar Karsten, Board for Congregational Services, IC.
12/2 Meeting with Dr. Norman Sell, IC.
12/3-4 LCMS Board of Directors, IC.
12/6 Meeting with Merle Freitag, LCEF, IC.
12/7 Human Resources, IC.
12/7 Church Relations group, IC.
12/8 LCMS Praesidium meeting, IC.
12/8 Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support, IC.
12/8 David Weidner, Youth Ministry, IC.
12/9 Record "Y2 Day" Video.
12/10 President's Office open house, IC.
12/13 President's Office staff retreat, St. Louis.
12/14 Administrators' forum, IC.
12/14 Meeting with Brad Hewitt, IC.
12/15 Ordained Diaconate Task Force meeting, IC.
12/16 Chapel at IC.
12/20 Administrators' Team, IC.
12/20 Meeting with Dr. Paul Grime, IC.
12/29 Rose Bowl Parade activities.
 

January 2000
1/1 Rose Bowl Parade LLL float, Pasadena, Calif.
1/9 Elaine Bryant, LCMS World Relief, IC.
1/9 150th Anniversary preacher, St. John, Chester, Ill.
1/10 Meeting with Brad Hewitt, IC.
1/11 ACTS group, Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbia, Mo.
1/13 2+2+2 meeting, IC.
1/13 Tell the Good News About Jesus committee, IC.
1/14 Meeting with Paul Devantier, IC.
1/14 Meeting with Lutheran Concerns group, IC.
1/17 Brad Hewitt, IC.
1/19 Washington Advisory Council meeting, Washington, D.C.
1/20 Meeting with ILWML officers, St. Louis.
1/20 LWML meeting, IC.
1/21 Meeting with Archbishop Janis Vanags of Latvia, IC.
1/21 District videotaping, IC.
1/21 ILLL banquet, St. Louis.
1/26 Staff forum, IC.
1/26 COP program committee meeting, IC.
1/28 Mega-church conference, San Antonio, Texas.
1/31-2/1 RIM discussion, IC.

February 2000
2/1 Concordia Seminary faculty forum, St. Louis.
2/2 Student convocation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
2/9 Black Clergy caucus, Houston, Texas.
2/11 Meeting with Brad Hewitt, IC.
2/14-15 LCMS/ELCA discussion, IC.
2/15 Meeting with Dr. Paul Grime, IC.
2/16 Dispute Resolution Panel, St. Louis.
2/17 Meeting with Laborers For Christ, IC.
2/17-19 SID convention, Collinsville, Ill.
2/21 Meeting with Brad Hewitt, IC.
2/21-23 CTCR meeting.
2/21 Human Resources meeting, IC.
2/23 Commission on Worship, IC.
2/24 BOD personnel committee, IC.
2/23-25 Board of Directors meeting, IC.
2/23-3/2 COP/Faculty retreat, Chicago, Ill.

Report Items

Five-Fold Vision Statement: As I have traveled around the Synod recently I have had a number of people talk to me about the Synod's Five-Fold Vision Statement. The basic question was, "Why don't we hear much about it anymore?" I thought that was a good question. The Synod adopted this vision statement at the 1995 convention and whenever I have a chance to speak about it, it continues to be very well received. Here then is simply a word of encouragement to revisit the Synod's Five-Fold Vision Statement. As a Synod we pray that we will be strongly in the Word, Christ-centered and people-sensitive, reaching out boldly with the Gospel, faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, committed to peace and unity in the Lord. The President's Office web site has the statement nicely presented with further specific commentary on each of these points. You may wish to use it as a point of reference when you speak about the Vision Statement. Here is where it is found: www.lcms.org/president/vision.html.

Tell the Good News About Jesus Emphasis: This is the number one emphasis for our Synod during this triennium. I am pleased to see it gaining continuing momentum in the congregations and districts across our Synod. The Tell the Good News About Jesus emphasis is clear, to the point, and easy for the church to understand. It will be a significant item in the presentations from the President's Office at our district conventions. The Schwan Foundation committed itself to giving one million dollars for each of the next three years in response to congregational grant proposals. The Evangelism Outreach through Congregation [EOC] grant program has many more applications than available dollars. In light of the number of grant requests that have come in, I have requested that the Schwan Foundation consider an increase of that amount by $300,000 for each of the three years. The Foundation is considering the request.

Recent Videos: The "Y2Day" video that was mailed out in January has been very well received. No doubt this will remain a good resource for our congregations, encouraging them to view the task of mission and outreach with the sense of urgency that we find in the Holy Scriptures. Also during January, the President's Commission on the Sanctity of Life sent to each of our congregations a copy of the music video, "God Knew Your Name." This music video has been extremely well received. The song helps congregations discuss the significance of abortion and the value of all human life, from birth to natural death.

District Conventions: The South Dakota District and the Southern Illinois District were held in February. Others will take place in April and May, with the majority taking place during June, and one in July. My representative or I will be attending each of the conventions. As part of the President's report, there will be a video presentation consisting of two parts: part one is a presentation on the subject of walking together as a Synod, with a special focus on the doctrine and practice of church fellowship. Part two will emphasize the Tell the Good News About Jesus emphasis. The report on church fellowship that has been prepared by the President and the CTCR will be used at our district conventions. Following the district conventions it is to be discussed at pastor and teacher conferences and in our congregations as part of the process that will culminate at the 2001 convention, where this issue will receive special attention through convention essays and Bible studies.

2001 Synodical Convention: No doubt this is going to be yet another very busy and full convention. Once again, we will keep the "extras" down to a minimum so we can give maximum time to addressing the important business before the convention. The Tell the Good News About Jesus emphasis will be a major theme. As I have mentioned, the study and discussion of the doctrine and practice of church fellowship will be the focus of our convention essays and Bible studies, as the Synod stipulated in 1998. There will also be the issue of the Handbook revision. Various task forces will present their reports and recommendations, including the National/District Task Force, the RSO Task Force and the Ordained Diaconate Task Force. And this is all in addition to the other reports and resolutions that will be dealt with by the convention. Indeed, a very busy and full convention.

Office of Government Information: During our most recent Washington Advisory Committee meeting, we had the opportunity to host a reception for LCMS members of Congress. Another significant item of discussion was the issue of same-sex marriage legislation and recent court decisions in this connection. A statement on the issue of same-sex marriages has been prepared with the assistance of the OGI's Executive Director, Dr. David Adams, and the Synod's Director of Public Relations, Mr. David Strand. During the last week in February, it was released to the media and posted to the world wide web. You may obtain a copy from the President's Office www site at the following address: http://www.lcms.org/president/statements.html

Council of Presidents Program Committee Concerns: During a recent program committee meeting, the issue of pastors experiencing problems in their parish was a significant topic of conversation. There are situations where pastors are not behaving appropriately toward their congregations. On the other side of the coin, however, I continue to receive reports from across the Synod about situations where pastors are being dismissed from their calls for unbiblical and inappropriate reasons. The concern expressed is that there seems to be an attitude that the pastor is automatically to blame in each of these cases and the congregation is the innocent victim. What is clear is that it is important that we deal fairly and evenly with pastors who truly are causing difficulties, and also be equally concerned and attentive to congregations that are mistreating their pastors. I believe the COP has spent considerable time during their meetings discussing concerns with inappropriate actions by our pastors, but not nearly enough time discussing congregations that make inappropriate demands on their pastors or behave toward their pastors in ways that are unacceptable for congregations that wish to be and remain truly Lutheran congregations. In sharing this concern with the COP, they asked me to bring these situations to their attention whenever they are shared with me.

ELCA Update: We held the second round of discussions with the ELCA on Feb. 14-15 in Saint Louis. The two topics discussed were the doctrinal differences between our two churches, and the question of providing pastoral care in situations where obtaining a pastor is difficult. During the first day of our meeting the discussions were very heavy on the subject of our differences. It is obvious to both sides that we are far apart when it comes to even the most basic and fundamental understandings of what it is to be Lutheran. Unfortunately, the diverging paths we are on have grown even further apart because of the ELCA's fellowship with the three Reformed church bodies, their agreement with the Episcopalians, and their adoption of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. The second day of our discussion in the morning, when we discussed the issue of pastoral vacancies, the conversation was less intense. In this area, we share common challenges. In the afternoon our conversation once again moved back to our differences and we spent 90 minutes on the issue of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Here the discussion again became very intense. Our third round of discussions is scheduled for Oct. 2-3 in Chicago.

Increased Contacts from ELCA Pastors and Congregations: A number of our district presidents have informed me that they are increasingly being contacted by pastors and congregations of the ELCA. These ELCA folks are indicating that they have reached a point where they no longer in good conscience feel they can support the direction of the ELCA and are looking for alternatives. We certainly do not wish to be stealing sheep from the ELCA. On the other hand, we cannot, and we must not, turn a deaf ear to those who come to us with genuine confessional concerns. We need to assist them by providing information about our church body and answering whatever questions they may have. I do not anticipate that a large number of pastors or congregations will leave the ELCA, but there will continue to be those pastors and congregations that do in fact wish to explore fellowship with the LCMS. We need to address their concerns and answer whatever questions they may have so they can make informed, careful decisions. When our office is contacted by concerned ELCA members, we try to provide as much information as we possibly can, and in the case of pastors, we share with them the details of the LCMS colloquy process and then refer them to the appropriate district president.

Fellowship Talks with Other Lutherans: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya has requested that we explore with them the possibility of church fellowship. There have been many good contacts over the past number of years with this church body and its leaders and I have routed this request along to the CTCR, per bylaw 13.03.a. We have had contact recently also from the Lutheran Church in Lithuania. The Lithuanian pastors voted unanimously to pursue closer ties to the LCMS. We has also received word from Archbishop Vanags of Latvia that he wishes to move ahead with theological discussions. I have asked Dr. Weinrich and Dr. Nafzger to proceed in arranging meetings with the Latvians. And, finally, we have heard from the President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church Mekane Yesus about strengthening our partnership with that church body as well. These and similar contacts continue to be received as a result of the LCMS' reputation as a church body that still wishes to be a genuinely confessional Lutheran Church and also because of our reputation as a church with a strong tradition of theological education. We also have pending a request from the Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka for church fellowship. This church is a result of LCMS mission work in Sri Lanka.

Renewal in Missouri Meeting: The second in our series of discussions with representatives of Renewal in Missouri was held Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the International Center. We continue to discuss those areas where there are clear differences between RIM and the LCMS. One final meeting will be held on Sept. 27-28. After that point, as required by the convention resolution, I will bring a report of these meetings to the Synod's 2001 convention with a recommendation of how this long-standing point of concern may finally be resolved in our church body.

Foundation Loss Committee: The committee I appointed to look into the matter of the Foundation loss has now finalized their report and shared it with the President of the Synod and the Board of Directors during its Feb. 23-24 meeting. Based on this report the BOD then adopted a statement to be shared with the church in the next issue of the Reporter.

Mega-Church Conference: I was able to attend this year's Mega-Church Conference in San Antonio. It was a good opportunity for me to meet with pastors of some of our Synod's larger congregations and to give them the opportunity to share information and to ask questions of me. It was a good meeting. Among other things we discussed was the need to make better use of the senior citizens in our congregations. As we move into the years ahead, there will be more and more senior citizens available for volunteer and part-time work in the church. Another area of discussion had to do with ethnic ministry and outreach. Increasingly, we have the opportunity to minister both to and with persons from many different ethnic groups in our nation.

St. Louis Seminary Faculty/Student Convocation: On Feb. 1, I met with the St. Louis seminary faculty, and then the next day with the students in an open forum. It was again another helpful and positive experience for all concerned. I very much appreciate these contacts with both of our seminaries. One of the major concerns that surfaced during my meeting with the faculty is the continuing decrease in the subsidy given by the Synod to our seminaries. I asked President Johnson for a detailing of this concern and shared it with the BOD at its most recent meeting.

Black Clergy Caucus: I appreciated the opportunity once more to meet with those pastors who are serving predominantly Black congregations. It was a good time to share information with one another and for them to ask questions. I reported to this group that I have completed the overview of the doctrinal review concerns regarding the hymnal, "This Far By Faith " and have made this report available to Dr. Bryant Clancy. Copies of the report were also shared with the CTCR, the BOD and the COP during their recent meetings. Persons wishing to have a copy of the report may receive one by requesting one from the President's Office.

Emphasis on Catechesis: A significant, ongoing need and concern in the Synod is the whole area of catechesis, teaching the faith. Again and again, this issue surfaces in discussions with pastors, teachers and laypeople - wherever I go. We must continue to encourage and hold high the need for better teaching of the faith to our people. The "What About" pamphlets seem to be filling a genuine need in this area. To date there are over 7.5 million copies of the What Abouts in print. The next five topics will be: Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, Worship, Telling the Good News of Jesus and a general introduction to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, featuring the Synod's fivefold vision statement. They should be mailed out to our pastors sometime late in March or early April.

ALB health: I thought I could share with you the fact that in January I just had my annual physical examination. Once again the news was very, very good. All reports indicate that the blood is in great shape, and every other indicator also is looking very good. My doctor said, "I couldn't be more pleased with the reports and the results of my examination." For this I truly thank God. I also appreciate the continued prayer support and words of encouragement which I repeatedly receive from our pastors, church workers, and our laypeople. God bless you for this!