Last week I made you aware that the final proposals of the “Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synodical Structuring and Governance” had been released under the guidance of our Synodical President, Pastor Gerald Kieschnick. I also let you know that it is our hope to have our elected delegates to next summers Synodical convention report on these proposals after their pre-convention caucus, some time early next year. After that it had been my intention to move on and not pay the matter too much heed, trusting in others who are my betters to spend some time analyzing and discussing what has been proposed.
Little did I know how disturbed I was going to be later in the week when one of these men, Pastor Klemet Preus (son of Dr. Robert Preus of blessed memory,) would publish a brief blog post calling to light what is without question the most profound change being put forward.
In every congregational constitution in the Missouri Synod, and in our synodical constitution as well, there is one article which is generally referred to as the “unalterable” article. It is an article which which is nearly impossible to change without enormous consent and/or good reason. The stated purpose of this article is to set forth, in no uncertain terms, our “confession.” That is, it is the article which states what we intend to believe, teach and confess. It might have seemed strange then that the BRTFSSG (the Task Force) as early as last spring had stated that one of its goals was to “clarify” that article. In their final report they have at last proposed what that means. We do well to pay close attention because what has been proposed may, in fact, change what we, as the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, believe.
First, here in italics is what the current “Article II” of the LC-MS states; (our constitution at St. John is identical):
“The Synod and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation:
1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice;
2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God, to wit: the three Ecumenical Creeds (the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed), the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Large Catechism of Luther, the Small Catechism of Luther, and the Formula of Concord.”
It might not be the most flashy statement in the world, but it gets its point across. The Lutherans in the Missouri Synod believe that the Bible (all of it) is the final Word on any matter. We then state that we believe the Book of Concord (all of it) is what we believe this Word says. The Task Force wants to change this without changing it, sort of. This might be well intentioned, or it might not. I don't know. What I do know is that what appears on the surface to be a very small change could amount to a tremendous betrayal in the future.
Here is the proposal. The new constitution will divide Article II into two parts. The first part will be the “Confession of Faith,” and the second part will be the “Confessional Basis.” Everything that we have so far confessed (the Bible and the Book of Concord) is included in the “Confessional Basis” section, but the actual confession proposed is significantly shorter, as follows in italics:
"The Synod, and every member of the Synod, believes, teaches and confesses without reservation that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Triune God, alone is the savior of the world, and that only through faith in Him is there forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation (John 3:16-18; I John 2:2; Acts 4:12)."
True enough. What discerning Christian would question it? I don't want to question it. What I want to draw your attention to is the fine detail between what it means to have a “confession” and what it means to have a “confessional basis.” This is where the rubber hits the road.
In the 1970's, when historical criticism was making inroads into the LC-MS through St. Louis Seminary, those “in the know” were believing and teaching that the Bible had errors in it. In this sense, they could not longer refer to the Bible as the Word of God. But, not wanting to appear unfaithful, and knowing that simply saying “The Bible is wrong” would never go over well, they got around their doubts by stating that the Bible “contains” God's Word. Using that little distinction, those “in the know” could get around the issue without ever having to come clean.
I will not be so bold as to say that the same move is being plied here, but it is tremendously important that we recognize that intended or not, the current wording will allow any pastor or congregation in the Synod to deny almost everything that we have thus far believed, while publicly saying that they believe just as we do. So long as they believe that “Jesus is their Savior,” they could justify their own rejection of infant baptism or denial of Christ's real presence in the Holy Supper. It is a very similar thing to what the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has done in their constitution, listing the Bible as an “authoritative source and norm,” and the Confessions as “valid interpretations.” In fact, one might even argue that the ELCA's wording is stronger than our new wording would be.
I am writing this to you because it is looking like next summer's convention might turn into a real dog fight, and, if it is, I don't want you to be caught unawares. There are many people in the ELCA who woke up this past year and said, “Where did our Church go? How did we get to this point, where we are ordaining active homosexual clergy?” That happened because little by little their confession was being chipped away at, relegating the Scriptures to nothing more than a “confessional basis.” Now, for them, it's too late. It's not for you. This is still your Church body, and you still can make your voice heard.
The truth of the matter is that, no matter what changes may or may not be needed in our synodical structure, Article II of our constitution is not one of them. It has stood the test of time and was made “unalterable” for a reason. This is the article that safeguards you and me together, so that we may know that we are working with a Church body that believes what we believe. We don't just believe Jesus is our savior, but that he was sent by the Father and born of the virgin Mary. He has called us by the Word which he sent in the power of the Holy Spirit. We receive this salvation not by works, but by grace, through faith. These promises are given us in baptism and with the body and blood of our Lord, in order to strengthen us for the Last Day when Christ will raise us and all believers from the dead. Our steadfast confession goes on and on about these matters, and for good reason. These are the Truths of God's Holy Word. And how blessed we are to be a Church that boldly has said, “We believe it!” It is my prayer we do not accidentally set such a great heritage aside.
That then, is the real purpose of this weeks eNews: if you haven't yet, please begin praying for our Missouri Synod. Pray for our leaders, that they would use good discernment. Pray for our delegates, that they will not vote for changes that are not needed. Pray for our pastors, that they can continue to serve in good conscience. And pray for your children, that the Lutheran Church may be strong in the future so that they too have places to hear the Gospel and receive the Sacraments for the forgiveness of their sins.
Pray that the Lord would keep us steadfast in his Word. And don't be afraid to get involved, dig deeper, and do more than take my word for it. You can begin by reading more of what Pastor Preus observed, or you can read our Synod's first President, Dr. C.F.W. Walther wrote about why we adhere to our confessions, or (if you're gutsy,) you could read the document itself.
I am always available to talk with you about this or any other issue. I don't intend to be a downer in the middle of your week! It's my plan to keep the focus of the eNewsletters on theological musings and proclamation about who Jesus is and what he has done for us. But I do consider part of my task to keep you informed on all the issues that affect you as a congregation. In the past, the Missouri Synod has been a church body known both for its conservative stance and its empowered laity. We must pray that God so preserves us thus in his mercy.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Based on What
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Blecht
Some of you may remember last year that I dedicated one of our Bible studies to watching a video from Concordia St. Louis talking at length about possible changes in our Synodical structure which were in the process of being considered. The video may not have been the best introduction I could have given, but my goal was really to let you all know that the Missouri Synod is officially considering making some very significant changes to the way it is organized. In order to do this, the current administration has appointed a “Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synodical Governance,” which has been working for four years to propose changes to be adopted at the Summer 2010 convention. Those proposals were at long last released to the public this week.
The Final Report is a significant document, over 50 pages in length, including “21” recommendations. This is, in effect, the proposal of a new constitution for our Church body. You can view the report at our Synodical Website.
I have not yet had time to read the report in its entirety, in order to see how its final proposals have changed from the initial proposals and the various stages of proposals which have been released over the last year. What is important to know at the start is that this is a massive change. There are almost no corners of the church body politics and theological assumptions that will not be affected, from the name which we use (possibly “Lutheran Church in Mission and Service,”) to the realigning of all synodical ministries under the two new “mission” commissions, to the placing of future Seminary and Pastoral education directly under the Synodical President's office.
This winter there will be several special caucuses held throughout the united states for delegates to the national convention, at which time they will be able to learn more, ask questions, etc. Currently, the delegates from our area include Pastor Engler and Pastor Luke Zimmerman (Mechanicsburg) as well as two lay delegates. I will be encouraging Pastors Engler and Zimmerman to host an informational meeting following their return, open to our circuits, in order for all of us who hold a stake in the future of the LCMS to hear and learn from their study and observations.
Until then, I simply want to make you aware of these changes which are brewing and enable you to read the document for yourself.. Personally, I am disconcerted on a number of levels. Scott Diekman, an LCMS Laymen and pilot for Alaska Airlines has a slightly unrelated piece at his blog, Stand Firm, which does a nice job setting some of the tone and backdrop for the discussion.
Needless to say, I will try to keep you informed and provide you with other sources of feedback as they become available.
