To Reject “Online” or “Virtual” Communion as Divisive of Church Fellowship

WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, some congregations of our Synod started a novel practice of “online” or “virtual” Communion, which is unknown to the Scriptures and had heretofore not been practiced in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) and the systematic theology departments of both seminaries issued opinions in opposition to the practice of “online” or “virtual” Communion, and the Council of Presidents passed a motion for all members of the Synod to “refrain from the practice of online Communion”; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR affirmed its 2006, unanimously adopted opinion on DVD consecration and applied its rationale to online or virtual Communion, putting forward the arguments—among others—that this practice:

• severs the consecration of the Sacrament through the Words of Institution from the distribution and reception of the Sacrament;

• potentially and unnecessarily sows doubt in the minds of communicants as to whether the elements received arein fact the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood;

• vitiates the instrumental role of pastoral care in the administration of the Sacrament through the lack of pastoral oversight, preparation of communicants, and admission to the table; and

• detracts from the corporate assembly of God’speoplearound the Lord’s Supper as an expression of the common confession of Christ and unity in the faith; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions (Formula of Concord [FC], Solid Declaration 7) indicate that the proper use of the Sacrament includes a unified consecration, distribution, and reception, none of which are to be severed from the other, yet the practice of “online” or “virtual” Communion would interpose a spatial, temporal, and technological breach between the consecration and the distribution and reception; and

WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar serves to strengthen faith against all doubts (Augsburg Confession [AC] XIII) and is “given as a daily pasture and sustenance, that faith may refresh and strengthen itself so that it will not fall back in such a battle, but become ever stronger and stronger” (Large Catechism V 24), while it is incumbent on all faithful ministers of the Gospel to remove all obstacles that create doubt or detract from what Christ offers in this Sacrament (AC XXIV); and

WHEREAS, God’s Word clearly teaches that it belongs to the essential nature of the Church that it is a physical gathering, an assembly of believers (Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor 11:17–18, 33; Heb. 10:25; AC VII; VIII); and

WHEREAS, In accordance with the keys conferred upon the pastor by virtue of his call (1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Peter 5:1–4; AC XIV; Walther’s Theses on the Ministry V; VII), the pastoral office is responsible for oversight of the administration of the Sacrament; and

WHEREAS, No theological rationale, (i.e., application of the principally relevant texts [sedes doc tri nae] of Holy Scripture or the Lutheran Confessions) for the novel practice of “online” or “virtual” Communion has existed within the Lutheran tradition or the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Sacrament of the Altar has been established by our Lord according to His words of institution, commanding literally “This keep on doing” (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24–25) which indicates that this use of the Sacrament should be kept according to his institution and that “there is no sacrament apart from the instituted use” (FC SD VII 73, ed. Tappert) as set forth by those same words of institution; and

WHEREAS, In order to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) uniformity in practice has long been considered desirable from the foundation of the Synod (1847 Constitution Articles I 3; II 4; IV 5; V 14) and remains an endeavor toward which congregations are encouraged to strive (2019 Const. Art. III 7); and

WHEREAS, Because congregations that persistently practice “online” or “virtual” Communion sever church fellowship;

therefore be it

Resolved, That we reject and condemn the practice of “online” or “virtual” Communion as it is contrary to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge congregations and pastors, as members of the Synod, who are practicing “online” or “virtual” Communion to cease this fellowship divisive practice, and that pastors who previously practiced “online” or “virtual” Communion publicly repent of this practice.