To Honor and Guard Chief Divine Service of Local Congregation

WHEREAS, The Chief Divine Service is the primary time and place in which the faithful gather to receive the Lord’s gifts, His holy Word and Sacraments, in a particular locale (Heb. 10:25; SC 1, Third Commandment; Matt. 18:20); and

WHEREAS, In the Chief Divine Service, offered and delivered is the forgiveness of sins, and there by life and salvation; and where and when the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, our Lord’svery body and blood are present upon the altar,distributed,and received;therefore, to be absent from this gathering is a grave thing not to be taken lightly, both due to the need for our own faith to be constantly strengthened and due to our neighbors’ need for our presence, encouragement, and support; and

WHEREAS, The devil and the world delight to keep the faithful away from the Chief Divine Service, offering any number of alternatives, many of which are not sinful in and of themselves, but are still unbecoming of the Church due to their conflict with the principal gathering of her people and with her Lord’s service to her there; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod and its districts, congregations, auxiliaries, and recognized service organizations not offer other activities or events of general interest and intentional appeal, including (but not limited to) conventions, conferences, speakers’ presentations,educational programs, camps, meals, fundraisers, and anniversary observances, that conflict with the Chief Divine Services of those congregations that are proximate to the activity or event, or those of congregations further afield from which it is reasonable to assume activity or event attendees may be traveling;

and be it further

Resolved, That circuit visitors, district presidents, and the President of the Synod give special attention to this matter in their advisory and disciplinary roles.