Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook

326 LIFE TOGETHER

angels always behold the face of their Father in heaven, to stumble through confusion and offense (Matt. 18:6; see Ap XV 49);

therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District in convention unequivocally affirm the practice of first Communion p rior to c onfirmation as a God-pleasing practice and a legitimate way to faithful reception of the Lord’s Supper; and be it further

Resolved, That the English District in convention encourage member congregations and p astors of the English District to recognize the validity of the aforementioned practice of first Communion prior to confirmation that they may commune visiting children who, though not yet confirmed, are nevertheless communicant members in good standing at their home congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize the 2026 Synod c onvention to adopt the same position; and be it further

Resolved, That the English District survey her m ember congregations in order to determine the percentage of congregations making use of the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation , and publish the results of said survey among our congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize the 2026 Synod convention to survey all member congregations in order to determine the percentage of congregations making use of the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation, and publish the results of said survey among the congregations of Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the English District prepare a tool kit for congregations and pastors that both equips p astors who desire to implement such a rite to teach about the practice of first Communion prior to confirmation and that, likewise, equips pastors to instruct congregations who do not yet understand the Godpleasing nature of the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation so that such congregations who do not observe this practice gladly welcome and receive visiting communicant children who desire to re ceive the Lord's Supper, and that encourages all communicant members to announce for Communion when visiting congregations other than their own.

English District

Ov. 4-43

To Call All in Synod to Love, Peace, and Brotherly Care

WHEREAS, Christ our Lord says, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35); and

WHEREAS, St. Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31–32); and

WHEREAS, Our Synod has too often been torn by harsh words, pride, and strife, which weaken our witness and grieve the Spirit;

and

WHEREAS, The unity of the Church does not rest in uniformity of human will but in the pure preaching of the Gospel and the right use of the Sacraments (AC VII); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod urge all its members, from laity to pastors to leaders, to repent of anger, pride, and harsh speech; and be it further

Resolved , That the Synod call on all its members to “bear with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2), to speak well of each other, to pray for one another, and to seek peace; and be it finally

Resolved , That we, brothers and sisters in Christ, commit ourselves anew to walk in love, so that our life together may be marked not by strife but by joy in the Gospel, to the glory of God and the good of His Church.

Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault), Minnesota South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District

Ov. 4-44

To Exhort Members to Earnestly and Regularly Pray for and Pursue Synodical Unity, and To Appoint a Task Force

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of His Church so that the world might believe He has been sent by the Father (John 17:11, 20–23); and

WHEREAS, Jesus stated, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35), and “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16); and

WHEREAS, The apostle Paul enjoins God’s people to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3); and

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture is filled with many other similar prayers for, and exhortations to pursue, unity and reconciliation in the Church (Psalm 133:1; Matt. 5:23 –25; 7:1–5; 18:15–35; Rom.

12; 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:12; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 4:4– 6;

Phil. 1:27; 2:1–11; Col. 3:14; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 4:20); and

WHEREAS, The first objective listed in Article III of the Synod

Constitution is to “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith

(Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy”;

and

WHEREAS, Unity in the Church is a gift from God (Rom. 15:5– 6) we should humbly seek from Him in prayer; and

WHEREAS, Division and acrimony between Christians severely compromises the witness of the Church to the world and may directly impede the proclamation of the Gospel and may, thereby threaten the eternal salvation of numerous souls; and

WHEREAS, Such disunity, where it is not necessary to maintain fidelity to the Scriptures and the Confessions, but is rather the result of human sin, tarnishes God’s name and thus violates the Second Commandment; and

WHEREAS, The Synod is frequently known even outside of itself for its internal conflicts and for the refusal of pastors, congregations, and circuits to commune together; and

WHEREAS, Strife and division in the Church for sinful reasons are indications that the Church is reflecting the ways of the world rather than providing a godly alternative to it; and