Walking Through the Resolutions – Resolution 8-28

TF Report (CW TFR, p. 21)

Rationale

Aligned with, flowing from, and guided by the Synod’s theological principles to advance Christ’s mission, this recommendation is to amplify, affirm, and clarify that the reasons for the Synod’s existence under Acts 15 and 1 Corinthians 12 are for congregations to walk together in God’s mission and to serve one another for His purpose of saving all people through Jesus Christ. With God’s mission as the very ground of the Synod’s being, this recommendation affirms and clarifies that Christ—His person and justifying work—is the center of the Synod’s common confession.

The suggested word changes not only eliminate cumbersome and unnecessary wording but use language that updates constitutional language without making substantive change. Both the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions put Christ in the center of Lutheran theology. There hasn’t been any place in the Synod’s governing documents through the years that reminds the Synod and proclaims to the world the only way in which people are saved. A clear statement that the Synod’s “confession of faith” is to be found in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions but the object of that saving faith is Jesus Christ our Lord is a strong addition to the Synod’s constitutional foundation (LCMS Constitution, Art. II).

After consideration of the task force report and all related overtures, the following amendment to the Constitution is recommended.

Resolved, That the Preamble to the Constitution be amended as shown (“2007 Handbook Convention Version,” TB, p.158).

The justification for this is pathetic. To “eliminate cumbersome and unnecessary wording,” come on, the current preamble has 19 words plus 2 Bible citations. The proposed preamble has 78 words and uses the work “mission” 3 times. I don’t think preamble makes much of a difference either way, but if you’re going to put forward a resolution, you should have a rationale that matches up with the changes you’re proposing.

Vote: No