Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 95

2026 Convention Workbook
60 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
1. Apostolic Succession (Bylaw 3.9.5.2.1 [a])
Synod Bylaw 3.9.5.2.1 (a) directs the CTCR to “bring matters 
of theology and church relations through special studies and docu-
ments to the membership of the Synod and to conferences.” In con-
versations with partner churches and prospective partner churches 
in various contexts internationally, it came to the CTCR’s attention 
that there are differing perspectives on the issue of apostolic suc-
cession and whether (or in what sense) apostolic succession is com-
patible with a biblical and confessionally Lutheran understanding 
of the doctrine of the ministry. Differing teachings and practices in 
this regard have at times caused confusion in our wider fellowship 
and have the potential to do so in the future. The commission is 
presently considering a draft that addresses apostolic succession 
from a historical, biblical, and confessionally Lutheran perspective. 
The commission intends to complete work on this report by the end 
of the triennium, though not in time for inclusion in the Workbook.
2. Third Commandment (2023 Res. 4-06)
2023 Res. 4-06 directed the CTCR to produce a study of the 
biblical, confessional, and practical dimensions of the Third Com-
mandment, along with an accompanying Bible study. The commis-
sion is presently considering a report that treats the relevant Old 
Testament and New Testament passages, Luther’s catechisms, and 
a series of practical questions related to the Third Commandment’s 
applicability to Christian worship. The Commission intends to 
complete work on this report by the end of the triennium, though 
not in time for inclusion in the Workbook.
3. Church and State in Contemporary Society (2023 
Res. 11-05)
2023 Res. 11-05 directed the CTCR to produce a document on 
church, state, and the Christian love of neighbor in an increasingly 
secularized society. Since the commission has an extensive doc-
ument on the topic in its 1995 Render unto Caesar, which it still 
considers applicable today, the CTCR decided to produce a sup-
plement to the 1995 report that summarizes its basic theological 
and practical guidance, then applies that guidance to a number of 
changing political circumstances the church has faced in the inter -
vening thirty years, including those surrounding abortion, same-sex 
unions, religious liberty, the conscription and military service of 
women, and illegal immigration. It is expected that the new report 
will be completed by the end of the triennium, though not in time 
for inclusion in the Workbook.
4. Contemporary Racism and Racist Ideologies (2023 
Res. 11-02A)
2023 Res. 11-02A urged the Synod to utilize the 1994 CTCR 
document on racism, Racism and the Church, but also directed the 
CTCR to examine contemporary “movements, methodologies, and 
ideologies that divide people by race.” The CTCR assigned this 
project to its executive committee, which examined the topic and 
related issues, including the constantly evolving forms of and de-
bates over racism in American culture. After considering the ongo-
ing relevance of its 1994 document and the general nature of the 
request from the 2023 convention, the commission has decided to 
place this request on its permanent agenda as a standing assign-
ment, which would allow it to address those new “movements, 
methodologies, and ideologies” as they arise and as the commission 
deems appropriate.
9. Unity in Doctrine and Uniformity and Variety in 
Practice: Study Document (2019 Res. 5-11)
2019 Res. 5-11 tasked the CTCR with preparing a report on the 
relationship between unity in doctrine and uniformity and variety 
in practice, the current language for which is stipulated in Article 
III 7 of the Synod Constitution. After discussing the constitutional 
history of this issue, the commission produced a study document 
that examined disputes over adiaphora in three distinct periods of 
church history and the lessons they may teach us for reconciling 
disputes over adiaphora in the present. The commission unani-
mously adopted this study document at its October 2025 meeting. 
It is included in the Workbook appendix.
10. Deacons, Evangelists, and the Office of the Holy 
Ministry in the New Testament (2023 Ov. 5-48)
2023 Ov. 5-48 asked the CTCR to produce a document that “de-
fines and distinguishes the New Testament terms used for the Office 
of the Public Ministry and its auxiliary offices, including special 
discussion of the offices of deacon and evangelist.” The conven-
tion referred this overture to the CTCR, which opted to accept it 
as an assignment. The commission produced a draft that explored 
the different New Testament terms related to the Office of the Holy 
Ministry and offered suggestions for how they might be best used 
in the future to avoid confusion. The commission approved this 
special study at its December 2025 meeting. The report is included 
in the Workbook appendix.
11. Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper: Some 
Practical Matters (2023 Res. 5-15)
2023 Res. 5-15 asked the CTCR to take up concerns related 
to upholding the proper elements and reverential administration of 
the Lord’s Supper, including the use of prefilled communion cup 
and wafer sets and the use of non-wheat hosts and grape juice. The 
commission unanimously approved a report addressing these con-
cerns at its December 2025 meeting. The report is included in the 
Workbook appendix.
12. Abortion—A Continuing Crisis: Update to 1984’s 
Abortion in Perspective (2023 Res. 11-04)
2023 Res. 11-04 asked the CTCR to update its 1984 guidance 
on abortion in light of recent developments, which include the 2022 
Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade, the rise of 
medication abortion, and the use of fetal tissue in vaccines, among 
others. At its February 2026 meeting, the commission unanimously 
approved a document that addresses the changing nature of abor -
tion in our current legal, political, and medical climate; a theology 
of life rooted in Scripture and Luther’s catechisms; and practical 
direction for clergy, congregations, and advocacy in the civil realm. 
The report was not published in time for inclusion in the Workbook, 
and so it will be included in the 2029 Workbook.
B. Work in Progress and Standing Assignments
The CTCR has numerous assignments on its agenda request-
ed by convention action and underway but not completed in time 
for the submission of materials for publication in the convention 
Workbook. Additionally, the CTCR has multiple standing assign-
ments stemming from convention resolutions that did not specify 
a particular response but urged the commission to consider how it 
might respond as circumstances necessitate or asked it to monitor 
developments.