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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 296

2026 Convention Workbook
261
THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS  —COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
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The Lutheran Church/emdash.lnumMissouri Synod
APPENDIX C
To Affirm In-Person Communion
RESOLUTION 5-08A61
Overtures 5-11–20 (CW, 293–300)
WHEREAS, In the wake of the pandemic, congregations throughout the 
Synod sought to provide spiritual care to their congregations when public health 
measures prohibited gathering for corporate worship services; and
WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus, with words and actions spoken and carried out by 
Him in the direct and physical presence of His disciples, instituted Holy Commu-
nion as a communal meal through which His body and blood are distributed under 
the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Matt. 26:26–28); 
and
WHEREAS, In speaking of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Scripture does not en-
dorse a spiritual or virtual fellowship, but rather a physical, communal gathering 
as the apostle Paul describes when he writes to the church in Corinth, “So then, 
my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is 
hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for 
your judgment” (1 Cor. 11:33–34a); and 
WHEREAS, The Epistle to the Hebrews states, “And let us consider how to 
stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is 
the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the 
Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24–25); and 
61 2023 Convention Proceedings, 152–53.
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Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper
WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession describes the administration of the 
Lord’s Supper in the context of a physically gathered assembly (Augsburg Confes-
sion [AC] VII 1; XXIV 36–39); and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the sys-
tematic theology departments of both seminaries issued opinions that unequivo-
cally and unanimously argued against the practice of online or virtual Communion 
and affirmed the administration of Holy Communion in person by the pastor; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions (Formula of Concord [FC] Solid Dec-
laration [SD] VII) indicate that the proper use of the Sacrament includes a unified 
consecration, distribution, and reception, none of which are to be severed from 
the other: 
However, this blessing, or the recitation of the words of 
Christ’s institution alone, does not make a Sacrament if the 
entire action of the Lord’s Supper, as it was instituted by 
Christ, is not kept. (For example, it is not kept when the con-
secrated bread is not distributed, received, and partaken of, 
but is enclosed, sacrificed, or carried about.) Christ’s com-
mand “This do” must be observed unseparated and inviolate. 
(This embraces the entire action or administration in this 
Sacrament. In an assembly of Christians, bread and wine are 
taken, consecrated, distributed, received, eaten, drunk, and 
the Lord’s death is shown forth at the same time.) St. Paul 
also places before our eyes this entire action of the breaking 
of bread or of distribution and reception (1 Cor. 10:16). 
yet the practice of online or virtual Communion would interject a spatial, tem-
poral, and technological gap between the consecration and the distribution and 
reception; and 
WHEREAS, The pastoral office is responsible for oversight of the administra-
tion of the Sacrament in accordance with the keys conferred upon the pastor by 
virtue of his call (AC XIV; Walther’s Theses on the Ministry V and VII); and 
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The Lutheran Church/emdash.lnumMissouri Synod
WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar has been established by our Lord ac-
cording to His Words of Institution, commanding literally “This keep on doing” 
(Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24–25), which indicates that this use of the Sacrament should 
be kept according to His institution, and that “nothing is a sacrament without the 
appointed use” as set forth by those same Words of Institution (FC SD VII 73) and 
these texts (and all related) require serious study by the church; and 
WHEREAS, No theological justification for the novel practice of online or vir-
tual Communion has existed within the Synod or in the Lutheran tradition nor has 
been advanced in the circles advocating for it on the basis of the principally rele-
vant texts (sedes doctrinae) of Holy Scripture or of the Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has historically recognized the need for collegial de-
bate, collaborative decision-making, and consensus-building, enshrining “[t]he 
example of the apostolic church (Acts 15:1–31)” in the Preamble of its Constitution 
and by adopting a process whereby those principles may be observed with respect 
to the adoption of doctrinal statements in Bylaw 1.6.2 (b); and 
WHEREAS, The practice of online Communion has created confusion and 
concern whether such observance of Holy Communion is pleasing to God and in 
accordance with His Word; and 
WHEREAS, The uniformity in practice from the foundation of the Synod has 
long been considered desirable (1847 Constitution Articles I 3, II 4, IV 5, V 14) and 
remains an endeavor toward which congregations are encouraged to strive (Const. 
Art. II 7); therefore be it 
Resolved, That we commend the desires of faithful pastors to care for their 
flocks in a time of pandemic, granting charity and latitude to our brothers in the 
office due to the emergency nature of the situation confronting us all; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod’s district presidents and those who assist them be 
counseled and urged to instruct our pastors and congregations on the basis of Holy 
Scripture’s exhortation to gather in person to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and on 
the basis of the examples of the Augsburg Confession Articles VII and XXIV, to 
refrain from the practice of online Communion, ensuring that those pastors and 
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Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper
congregations who continue to practice online Communion after due fraternal 
admonition be subject to appropriate ecclesiastical supervision; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention clearly and unequivocally reject and 
condemn the practice of virtual (online) Communion; and be it finally 
Resolved, That those who are hindered for a time from bodily participation 
in Holy Communion be encouraged to content themselves with the power of 
the Word, remembrance of their Baptism, and the exercise of faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ. 
Action: Adopted (8) 
It was moved but failed to strike the final resolve. Upon closure of debate, as suggest-
ed by the chair, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 842; No: 140]. Pacific Southwest District 
President Michael Gibson addressed the convention, requesting patience for district presi-
dents as they continue to work with perhaps a dozen churches remaining in the practice of 
online communion.