To Form Theology of Virtual Worship Task Force

WHEREAS, The pandemic of 2020 has caused many of our congregations to offer a myriad of different types of “virtual” worship services via internet platforms to continue proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, In many places pastors and church leaders have tried to make every element of the in-person worship experience available through these “virtual” means to those parishioners experiencing these worship services at home; and

WHEREAS, These efforts have led to confusion and even conflict over what is proper and beneficial and what should not be practiced “virtually”, particularly in regard to Confession and Absolution and the Sacrament of the Altar; and

WHEREAS, These technologies and platforms for “virtual” worship did not exist and were not practiced until recent times and thus have not been specifically addressed by the historical Lutheran church in terms of best practices; and

WHEREAS, The congregations of the Synod are to seek to walk together in doctrine and practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod create a task force to identify those areas of worship where questions of proper practice during “virtual” worship have arisen and remain in question; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force analyze the areas of question over and against Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions drawn from that Word of God; and be it finally

Resolved, That the task force present recommendations as to what practices are acceptable, what practices should be avoided, and what practices are free to use or not use in a document to be adopted by the Synod in convention.