To Study Triangular Fellowship

WHEREAS, Altar and pulpit fellowship, as understood in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, “allows the pastors of one church to preach and celebrate Holy Communion in the church of another. Similarly, when altar and pulpit fellowship exists, the laity of one church may receive Holy Communion from the other church’s pastors. Churches in altar and pulpit fellowship share all spiritual things including a joint responsibility in maintaining a common confession of faith” (LCMS CTCR Study Materials, The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship [adopted 2000], 4); and

WHEREAS, Confusion has arisen because the Synod has declared altar and pulpit fellowship with various partner church bodies that in turn share altar and pulpit fellowship with other church bodies with which the Synod is not in altar and pulpit fellowship (“triangular fellowship”); and

WHEREAS, Although 2019 Resolution 5-07 directed the office of the President of the Synod to report to the 2022 (now, 2023) Synod convention with recommendations on addressing the relationship between partner churches and the Lutheran World Federation asone example of being unequally yoked, that resolution did not address the “triangular fellowship” problem; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District memorialize the Synod representatives research the parameters of triangular fellowship and report its findings to the 2026 Synod convention.