Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 478

W HEREAS, The said publication, with its historical 
introductions and other included materials, presents the Lutheran 
Confessions most intelligibly and clearly; and is the generally 
preferred English translation among native and non- native 
English speakers alike; and is the preferred source for most 
derivative translations into other languages; and 
  W
HEREAS, The said publication is currently restricted by 
Copyright and licensing, so that the full text is not accessible on 
the LCMS website nor anywhere else online; nor is the print 
publication available in most countries; nor is any derivative 
translation permitted to be made and published in print or online 
without prior permission; and 
  W HEREAS, Removing the current restrictions of the said 
publication would greatly assist the LCMS in achieving her 
primary objectives, by enabling a wider distribution and 
accessibility of the Lutheran Confessions; therefore be it 
  Resolved, That the LCMS further its goals and expand the 
reach of Concordia by directing CPH to grant general license to 
any and all interested parties to publish, with appropriate 
attribution, the text of Concordia online, in whole or in part; and 
to grant licens e to any and all interested parties to publish the 
text of Concordia in print globally, in whole or in part; and to 
grant license to any and all interested parties to produce and 
publish, in print and online, derivative translations of Concordia 
without restriction; and be it further 
  Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for the diligent 
work of Rev. Paul T. McCain and all of the faithful laborers at 
CPH who have made Concordia and other fine works available; 
  Resolved, If Concordia Publishing House should desire 
remuneration in compensation for anticipated loss of revenue 
because of this action that the LCMS should pay to CPH a sum 
that is mutually agreeable to the LCMS and CPH. 
and 
W
HEREAS, The district convention does not have the authority to 
authorize the action of this resolution by itself but the Synod in 
convention does; and 
W
HEREAS, The stated intent of the district resolution is to widen 
the distribution of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions — A 
Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord, 2nd ed. (CPH, 2007) by 
opening its copyright for public distribution; and 
WHEREAS, The increased availability of this fresh translation 
could aid the congregations  of the Synod in carrying out the 
objectives stated in the Constitution, namely, “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”  (Const. Art. III 1); and 
“Strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold 
witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the Father, 
Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the 
world” (Const. Art. III 2); and 
WHEREAS, I t is common in our context for people to research 
information on the internet; and 
WHEREAS, Concerns exist regarding releasing the copyright and 
putting the text in the public domain that are not related to profit or 
financial concerns and compensation, concerns that are not 
addressed in the aforementioned resolution; and 
WHEREAS, The Minneapolis Metro Circuit passed a resolution 
with three resolves, one of which memorialized  the Synod in 
convention “to create and maintain a publicly accessible and open 
website with the text of the Book of Concord as translated in the 
aforementioned translation”; and 
WHEREAS, CPH has recently made public the website 
bookofconcord.cph.org that contains the confessional text of the 
Reader’s Edition  (2nd) as was sought by the aforementioned 
resolutions but, as of yet, the website does not include any of the 
notes or annotations; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank those at CPH and 
elsewhere who worked on this website and made it possible; and be 
it further 
Resolved, That the Synod communicate the availability of this 
resource to its members and sister churches so that these churches 
and pastors may make use of this resource and link to it; and be it 
further 
Resolved
, That the Synod in convention create and authorize a 
task force to study and report the implications and various options 
of instructing CPH “to grant license to any and all interested parties 
to produce and publish, in print and online, derivative transla tions 
of [the Reader’s Edition (2nd)] without restriction” (MNS 2025 
Res. 1-03) and also to make any recommendations for actions based 
on said study that would aid in promoting unity, fidelity, 
evangelism, and continued similar work and future publications, so 
that such recommendations could be considered at the next 
convention; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the aforementioned task force also explore with 
CPH the feasibility and cost of adding the helpful notes and 
annotations from the Reader’s Edition (2 nd ed.) to its online 
publication at bookofconcord.cph.org and likewise include that as 
part of its report to the next convention of the Synod. 
Mt. Calvary 
Richfield, MN 
Ov. 8-13 
To Direct Concordia Publishing House  
to Prioritize Mission and Distribution 
WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) was established 
in 1869 to serve the congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod by publishing materials that are useful to the 
Church and faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; 
and 
WHEREAS, The mission statement of CPH further states that it 
“will develop, produce, market, and distribute products and services 
that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and 
which will effectively serve such proclamation to people throughout 
the world. All to the Glory of God” (CPH, “Who We Are,” 
about.cph.org/who-we-are.html, accessed Feb. 25, 2026); and 
WHEREAS, The vision statement of CPH states that they will 
“strive to be the premier publisher and provider of choice for 
products and services that are faithful to the Scriptures and the 
Lutheran Confessions” (ibid.) , but does not envision a role in the 
Great Commission purpose of the Church (Matt. 28:16–20); and 
WHEREAS, CPH is well known for producing materials that serve 
well in North American congregations that can afford them, but that 
may be too expensive for our mission partners in other nations; and 
2026 Convention Workbook
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