To Urge Church of Christ to Stay and Do Her Duty

WHEREAS, God commands, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8); and

WHEREAS, Our Lord and Savior proclaims, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4); and

WHEREAS, The apostle Peter declares, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29); and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures admonish Christians to “consider how to stirup 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, Christian liberty should not be determined by someone else’s conscience (1 Cor. 10:29); and

WHEREAS, The Large Catechism teaches that the Sacrament of the Altar is essential to the Christian faith, stating “A great number of people who hear the gospel, now that the pope’s nonsense has been abolished and we are freed from his compulsion and commands, let a year, or two, three, or more years go by without receiving the sacrament, as if they were such strong Christians that they have no need of it. Others let themselves be kept and deterred from it because we have taught that none should go unless they feel a hunger and thirst impelling them to it. Still others pretend that it is a matter of liberty, not of necessity, and that it is enough if they simply believe. Thus the great majority go so far that they become quite barbarous and ultimately despise both the sacrament and God’s Word” (LC V 40–41 [Kolb/Wengert]; cf. AC VII; XXIV; LCMS, A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod [adopted 1932]); and

WHEREAS, During the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic included the cancellation of public, communal, in-person worship services by congregations, pastors, and affiliated educational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Online or virtual worship is not a substitute for corporate worship (Heb. 10:24–25; 2023 Res. 5-08A, “To Affirm In-Person Communion”); and

WHEREAS, These responses taught God’s flock and the world at- large that public, communal, in-person worship is nonessential (while allowing grocery stores, liquor stores, and cannabis dispensaries to remain open), that such public worship of God by those who wish to do so can be forbidden by the consciences of others who do not wish to gather in public worship, and that public opinion or government demand can forbid public worship; and

WHEREAS, Great societal distress over the COVID-19 pandemic ought to have instead compelled the Church to keep her doors open instead of closing them and to remain faithful in her vow to “intend to continue steadfast in this confession … and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it” (Rite of Confirmation, Lutheran Service Book, 273); therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the desires of faithful pastors to care for their flocks in a time of pandemic, granting charity and a wide latitude of understanding to our brothers in the public exercise of the Office of the Holy Ministry due to the emergency nature of the situation at that time confronting us all; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors and congregations recognize that not offering public worship was sinful, even if done in ignorance, and repent where necessary; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod President and the Council of Presidents (COP) publicly encourage pastors, congregations, and educational institutions of the Synod to stay and do their duty by holding public worship services during any pandemic for those who wish to attend; and be it further

Resolved, That in the future, the Synod President and the COP should give proper concern and understanding to the doctrine of the two kingdoms, especially as it relates to resistance to government tyranny (Brief Statement); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod President, the COP, and those who assist them be counseled and urged to instruct our pastors and congregations on the basis of Holy Scripture’s example and exhortation to gather and meet together and also celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25) on the basis of the examples found in the Augsburg Confession VII and XXIV; and be it finally

Resolved, That in the future the Church should stay and do her duty and not abandon her people in such a crisis and instead exhort pastors and congregations not to abandon the holy, faithful people of God even if it should bring persecution, but rather that the sheep be gathered together accompanied by their pastors and comforted by the Word of God, by the Sacraments, by fellowship, and by prayer.