Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2023 ConventionCommittee 4AdoptedResolution 4-06
To Encourage In-Person Corporate Worship
After 3 floor votes, adopted by a wide margin (790–72).
Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2023 ConventionFloor votes (3)
The vote history.
- AmendmentPassed7746992% yeamargin 705
- AmendmentFailed28757433% yeamargin 287
- Resolution adoptedPassed7907292% yeamargin 718
Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2023 ConventionOriginating overtures
What the floor walked in with.
- Ov. 4-06 To Encourage Return to In-Person Worship
- Ov. 4-07 To Reaffirm Biblical Practice of Gathered Local Congregations with Rightly Called Local Pastors and to Encourage Congregations to Practice In-person Worship, Teaching, and Administration of Sacraments
- Ov. 4-08 To Hold Day of Fasting, Prayer, and Repentance for Response to 2020–22 COVID-19 Pandemic
Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2023 ConventionAs adopted
The text the floor adopted.
WHEREAS, God’s people are called to “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Third Commandment; cf. Ex. 20:8); and
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture exhorts us: “… 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
WHEREAS, Numerous epistles are written to the saints in certain places and were read publicly when they gathered together, for example, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (1 Cor. 1:2); and
WHEREAS, Paul exhorts Timothy to focus upon the public reading and teaching of God’s Word: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:13–16); and
WHEREAS, Our Savior comes to us through His Word and Sacraments as means of grace to forgive, strengthen, comfort, and guide us as His people as He bids us to do in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted corporate worship; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention urge its pastors and congregations to uphold the Third Commandment by gathering together weekly for worship in celebration of the Lord’s Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Synod be encouraged to prioritize in-person, embodied corporate worship, and membership in the local congregation; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church Relations produce a study of the Third Commandment that addresses its understanding in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, and in the Lutheran Confessions, especially in Luther’s catechisms, as well as its application to Christian worship today, and includes a Bible study for congregational use