Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. p. 292. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 5-06A
Canonical number: 5-06
Committee: Theology and Church Relations
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: p. 292
PDF pages: 40
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, p. 292
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 292
- To Amend Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b)
- RESOLUTION 5-06A
- President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:30)
- WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b)(1–3) speaks of “formal” recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship, which suggests
- that the Synod also informally recognizes fellowship, a confusing phrase understood by certain other churches to mean
- practicing church fellowship without recognized unity in the doctrine of the Gospel in all its articles; and
- WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b)(1–3) speaks of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations’ (CTCR)
- “approval” within the church fellowship recognition process which, more accurately, is the CTCR’s recommendation
- that the Synod in convention approve the recognition of such church fellowship; therefore be it
- Resolved, That Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b) be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- Commission on Theology and Church Relations
- …
- 3.9.5.2.2 The Commission on Theology and Church Relations shall assist the President of the Synod at his request
- in discharging his constitutional responsibilities for maintaining doctrinal integrity as he relates to other
- church bodies.
- …
- (b) It shall address itself to potential fellowship and/or partner church relations as follows:
- (1) Formal recognition Recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between the Synod and another
- church body shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod only after the approval of the
- commission recommends such recognition.
- (2) Formal recognition Recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between the Synod and a small,
- formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified as such by the President of
- the Synod as chief ecumenical officer) may be declared by the Synod President only after the
- approval of the commission recommends such recognition and the Synod President consults
- consultation with the Praesidium . Such recognition shall be subject to the endorsement of the
- subsequent Synod convention.
- (3) Formal recognition Recognition of a mission of the Synod as a self-governing partner church
- shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod by the Board for International Mission only after
- the approval of the commission recommends such recognition.
