To Celebrate Progress and to Encourage Increasing Faithfulness in Offering Every Sunday Communion

Ov. 4-41

To Celebrate Progress and to Encourage Increasing Faithfulness in Offering Every Sunday Communion

WHEREAS, In convention, t he Synod passed 1995 Resolution 2- 08A, “To Encourage Every Sunday Communion,” stating:

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in convention encourage its pastors and congregation to study the scriptural, confessional, and historical witness to every Sunday communion with a view to recovering the opportunity for receiving the Lord’s Supper each Lord’s Day;

and

WHEREAS, For three decades since the aforesaid passed 1995 Res. 2-08A, faithful pastors, congregations, and theologians within the Synod have diligently studied, taught, and advocated for the practice of offering the Lord’s Supper every Sunday with many congregations increasing the frequency that Holy Communion is offered; and

WHEREAS, The reception of the gifts of God offered to His people in this Sacrament, including the forgiveness of our sins (examples include but are not limited to Matt. 26:26–28; LC V 21– 22) and the strengthening of our faith to the blessing of both body and soul (1 Cor. 11:28–30; LC V 23–24) is essential; and

WHEREAS, Every Sunday C ommunion, as advocated in 1995 Res. 2-08A, remains in full accord with the Word of God (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor . 11:20, 24 –26, 33; He b. 4:16) and our Lutheran Confessions (AC XXIV 1, 34; Ap XXIV 1; SC Preface 21–22; LC V 24); and

WHEREAS, A number of resources have been produced in these past three decades to aid our pastors, congregations, and theologians in their study, teaching, and advocacy for every Sunday Communion, including such examples as various issues of The Lutheran Witness magazine, The Lutheran Witness blogpost series on the Lord’s Supper from late 2020 and early 2021 (witness.lcms.org/tag/series-our-lords-supper/), the Rev. Dr.

Kenneth W. Wieting’s The Blessings of Weekly Communion (Concordia Publishing House [CPH], 2006) a nd Lutheranism 101:

The Lord’s Supper (CPH, 2012), and other resources from CPH and other Synod sources; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Minnesota South District in convention celebrate the progress that has been made regarding the offering of every Sunday Communion in our Synod, giving thanks to God for the faithful labors of those pastors, congregations, and theologians who have worked to renew this practice among us; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention reaffirm its confession that the Holy Communion is a precious treasure of the Church, given by the Lord for our great good and as such something to be offered and received regularly and often, in accordance with our Lord’s Institution, and encouraging all its pastors, congregations, and theologians to continue prayerfully studying, teaching, and consider offering every Sunday Communion where that is not yet the regular practice; and be it further

Resolved, That the district president instruct circuit visitors as to the benefits of weekly and frequent reception of the Lord’s Supper, and that they instruct the pastors and the congregations on behalf of the district president; and be it further

Resolved , That the district president provide a list of resources for pastors and congregations to appreciate the benefits of frequent reception of the Lord’s Supper; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention to encourage the Synod President to author a resource for district presidents, pastors, and congregations to have a greater appreciation for frequent reception of the Lord’s Supper.

Minnesota South District