The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) has three primary functions: (1) to “assist the President of the Synod at his request in discharging his constitutional responsibilities for maintaining doctrinal unity within the Synod” and “for maintaining doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies”; (2) to “provide guidance to the Synod in matters of theology and church relations”; and (3) to assist the members of the Synod in their witness regarding “societies, lodges, cults, or any organizations of an unchristian or anti-Christian character” (2019 –3.9.5.4). Further CTCR responsibilities include responding to expressions of dissent () and approving church body requests for altar and pulpit fellowship (). It also renders official theological opinions as requested or mandated by the Synod Bylaws. The CTCR consists of sixteen voting members and four advisory members. Elected members include two parish pastors, one parish teacher, and two laypersons chosen by the Synod’s convention. Appointed members include four Council of Presidents (COP)appointees including two pastors (one of whom is a district president) and two laypersons; four seminary professors with two from each seminary faculty; and three additional members (one of whom is a Concordia University System professor) appointed by the President of the Synod, in consultation with the vice-presidents. The President and First Vice-President of the Synod and the presidents of the two seminaries are advisory members, with no term limits on their service. CTCR members elected in convention serve a six year term and may be reelected once. Members appointed by the President, seminaries, or the COP serve three-year terms and may be reappointed twice. For the sake of efficiency, the commission operates with an executive committee and three working committees. The executive committee includes the CTCR officers, the chairs of the three committees, and the executive staff (see below). While not rigidly defined, one committee focuses on matters pertaining to church and ministry (including church relations matters), the second on other doctrinal issues, and the third on social and ethical matters of concern to Christians and the church. All official reports, opinions, or documents of the CTCR are finally approved before their release or publication by the entire commission meeting in plenary. CTCR officers during the past triennium were the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, chairman; the Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, vice-chairman; and the Rev. Dr. William Schumacher, secretary. Chairs of the respective committees were the Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki (Committee One), the Rev. Arlo Pullmann (Committee Two), and Dr. Andrea Pitkus (Committee Three). The CTCR is currently served by three executive staff members, two full-time and one part-time. The Rev. Dr. Joel D. Lehen bauer, who has served on the executive staff of the CTCR since 1991, has been executive director since 2008. At its April 2018 meeting, the commission took action to renew Dr. Lehen bauer’s term for a new five-year term (cf. [a][3][4]). Another review by the commission was scheduled to conclude at its April 2023 meeting. The Rev. Dr. Larry M. Vogel, who was previously associate executive director from 2009 until retirement in February 2020, now serves as assistant to the executive director. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in May 2020, and received his Ph D from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in May 2023. The Rev. Dr. Richard J. Serina Jr. was called to succeed Dr. Vogel as associate executive director in May 2020. He began work in August 2020, and, after a lengthy delay due to the pandemic, was installed in September 2021. From 1991–2007, the CTCR was served by three full-time executive staff members. Since 2008, however, one of those executive staff positions had been continuously vacant, primarily due to budgetary limitations of the Synod. The current triennium featured the first full complement of executive staff members since that date, albeit with Dr. Vogel serving part-time and deployed. In addition to facilitating the work of the commission detailed below in this report, the executive staff also responds to emails, letters, and telephone calls requesting further information about or clarification of the LCMS view of various topics and teachings. The current commission featured relatively unprecedented turnover in the extended 2019–2023 triennium, beginning with nine new members joining after the 2019 convention. It also filled a number of vacancies during this time. Dr. Serina was appointed to the commission by the COP in 2019 before accepting the call to serve on the executive staff in 2020. The COP appointed the Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto to replace him in time for the December 2020
meeting. The Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer retired from the presidency of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in May 2020. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger was called to replace Dr. Meyer in February 2021 and began his service as advisory member on the commission upon accepting the call as president. The Rev. Dr. James Bushur, a faculty representative of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, was scheduled to complete his term in 2022 before the extension of the triennium. He chose to relinquish his appointment at its original completion date in 2022, and the Rev. Dr. Roland Ziegler was elected by the faculty to replace him for the remainder of his term. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director of Church Relations—Assistant to the President, regularly attends CTCR meetings and reports to the commission regarding matters of church relations that are under the purview of the President’s Office. In addition to the turnover at the beginning and throughout the triennium, the pandemic necessitated five consecutive virtual meetings, and six out of eight meetings at one point. Despite these challenges, the commission diligently attended to its constitutional responsibilities to Synod, its congregations and workers, and the Synod President.
I. Theology
A. Luther’s Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications (2013 Resolution 3-13A; 2016 Res. 5-12) This project developed from a series of requests from the Synod for more resources in the arena of theological instruction that would prove accessible to specialist and novice alike. The Synod’s 2013 Res. 3-13A addressed the matter of catechesis, including a resolve that a “cate cheti cal compendium for adults” be prepared “which would be more comprehensive and apologetic in scope.” The 2016 LCMS Convention adopted Res. 5-12 on the use of Luther’s Catechisms. The resolution gave the CTCR, in concurrence with the Synod President and seminaries, the task to “explore the creation of an annotated and expanded edition of the Large Catechism.” A proposal was developed in collaboration with the Office of the President and approved by the commission in 2019. Its contents were reviewed by the commission from May 2020 through June 2021, approved by doctrinal review in December 2021, and submitted to Concordia Publishing House for publication in March 2022. The originators and editors of the project are the Rev. Dr. John Pless, assistant professor of pastoral theology and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Dr. Larry M. Vogel, assistant to the executive director of the CTCR. The volume contains the text of the Large Catechism, with historical introductions and annotations provided by a variety of editors. It also includes over seventy ex curs uses, which comment on topics addressed in the Large Catechism and apply them to our contemporary setting. It is the hope of the commission that this text might connect and apply the Large Catechism’s 16th-century confession of the faith to our 21st-century context in a way that encourages vigorous, well-informed, and effective mission outreach; addresses current challenges to confessional Lutheran theology; and provides an extended Scriptural explanation and defense of the faith. In February 2023, the commission adopted a statement explaining this project for those who had questions about or objections to its content. That statement is included in the Workbook appendix.
B. Completed Reports Reports of the CTCR are ordinarily convention-requested
documents that set forth what the commission regards as a soundly biblical and Lutheran exposition of a particular issue of importance to the church. In certain cases (see I.B.2 below), these may involve requested opinions that necessitate more explanation than a customary opinion and/or may be of broader relevance to the Synod than to the single individual or entity requesting said opinion.
1.
A Snapshot of Trending Tools: Christians and Social Media (2016 Ov. 5-08) Omnibus Res. A of 2016 assigned numerous overtures from the convention to various entities of the Synod, including the CTCR (see below, “Responses to Overtures”). One of the overtures was “To Provide Suggested Guidelines/Policies for Implementing Social Media.” After due consideration, the CTCR determined that this overture’s concerns could best be addressed by developing a report that would address the general topic of social media and its strengths, weaknesses, temptations, perils, and opportunities. At the CTCR’s February 2019 meeting, the commission adopted the report, A Snapshot of Trending Tools: Christians and Social Media. As should be evident from the name, the report reflects an awareness that the matter of social media is one marked by constant changes and what is relevant to the topic this year may change in the future. Nonetheless, the teachings of Scripture do not change, and the report considers such aspects as how social media relates to community, the risk of falsehoods becoming “viral,” an elevation of opinion over fact, and other temptations. It closes with a focus on how, within our vocations as royal priests, we might use social media in godly ways. The report is intentionally designed in a way that anticipates and can accommodate addressing additional topics of concern in the future. Though this report was approved during the 2016–2019 triennium, it was not printed in the 2019 Workbook, so it is included in this triennium’s report and the 2023 Workbook appendix.
2. Marriage between Church and State: A Report on Clergy Serving as “Agents of State” (2016 Res. 14-04) 2016 Res. 14-04 asked the CTCR to consult with the seminaries and other relevant entities in order to “prepare materials to facilitate a biblical and confessional, theological and practical study affirming the right of our clergy to continue conducting weddings in accordance with our confession.” The commission had initially planned to include guidance on this matter in its forthcoming report on human sexuality, but, due to the timely nature of the topic and to renewed requests for advice from various quarters of the Synod, chose to issue this section of its report independently at an earlier date. It was approved unanimously at the June 2021 meeting of the commission. The report maintains that marriage is firstly rooted in natural law rather than civil law or church custom, and thus has always featured a delicate balance between civil regulation and church practice. Despite the substantial changes that have occurred legally and socially in the last decade, nothing would currently prohibit clergy from performing civil marriages or laity from entering civil marriages in accordance with their biblically informed consciences. It also maintains that clergy are not acting as agents of state properly but only incidentally when signing civil marriage licenses. Consequently, it urges laity to seek civil li censure and clergy to sign such marriage licenses until such a time as the government actively prohibits them from doing so in good conscience. The report is included in the Workbook appendix.
3.
Order of Creation: Theology, History, Definition (1995
Res. 3-10; 2010 Res. 3-06; 2016 Res. 5-14)
The 2010 LCMS convention commended the 2009 CTCR report The Creator’s Tapestry (prepared in partial response to 1995 Res. 3-10) and asked the CTCR “to address additional questions and issues,” including the foundational issue of the “order of creation.” In 2016, Res. 5-14 reiterated the need for further study of the order of creation, particularly its biblical, historical, and theological foundations, as well as its pertinent practical applications. After much internal discussion, the commission unanimously adopted a report entitled Order of Creation: Theology, History, Definition at its October 2022 meeting. The report first surveys the biblical sources, historical development, and Lutheran interpretation of the concept. It then details its incorporation by the Missouri Synod in 1956 and its interpretation and application within circles in the subsequent decades. It also seeks to clarify the definition of the order of creation in light of ambiguities and disagreements within the Synod’s interpretation. The report argues that the order of creation is a theological concept derived from Scripture, supported by the Lutheran tradition, and affirmed by the Synod, which sheds important light on relationships in the Christian home and church, especially between men and women, but that it also requires more theological precision. Ultimately, it concludes that the Synod has come to relative agreement on the important applications of the order of creation for church worship and leadership, yet greater theological clarity can help the Synod more vigorously bear witness to God as our creator, the goodness of His creation, and the intentionality and design of man and woman, sexuality, marriage, and family. The report is included in the Workbook appendix.
4.
A Chaste and Decent Life: An Update to Human Sexuality (1981) (2016 Res. 14-03; 2019 Res. 11-01A) In 1981, the CTCR issued a comprehensive report on the theological understanding of sexuality, entitled Human Sexuality. In light of cultural changes on the question of marriage and sexuality in the intervening decades, the 2016 LCMS convention directed the commission to update its 1981 report. While in the process of drafting that new report, the commission was urged by the 2019 convention to include special attention to chastity, the vocation of singleness, the nature and significance of Christian marriage, the theology of procreation, and the challenge of infertility. At its December 2022 meeting, the commission reviewed and unanimously adopted a new report entitled A Chaste and Decent Life: An Update to Human Sexuality (1981). After thorough study and reflection, the CTCR decided that this report need not replace Human Sexuality (1981), which still serves as a helpful summary statement of the Christian theology of marriage and sexuality. To that end, the new report begins with a review of the important affirmations made at the end of Human Sexuality (1981), then details how these affirmations have come under attack due to changes in cultural attitudes and practices. Rather than simply responding to those cultural attacks, however, it lays out a creed al, trinitarian basis for Christian sexual ethics. Finally, it explores the theme of “a chaste and decent life” (from Luther’s Small Catechism) as a practical guide to sexual purity for the married and single alike. The report is included in the Workbook appendix.
5.
Christian Decision-Making and the End of Life: An Update and Supplement to 1993’s Christian Care at Life’s End (1977 Res 03-26) In compliance with the standing assignment to provide direction in matters of bio ethics, the commission reviewed its 1993 report Christian Care at Life’s End and concluded that an update to that document was needed. The 1993 report had attempted to provide more practical case studies that built on the CTCR’s 1979 Report on Euthanasia with Guiding Principles, which was appended to Christian Care at Life’s End. In the intervening years, medical and legal developments, particularly physician-assisted suicide, have changed the landscape dramatically. After outside consultation and internal discussion, a new report was drafted to address those developments from several vantage points: theological foundations for the sanctity of human life, medical-ethical considerations related to end-of-life care and decision-making, and the distinctively Lutheran approach to pastoral care and personal reflection at life’s end. It also includes extensive chronological and bibliographical resources as appendices. The commission hopes to approve this report at its April 2023 meeting.
C. Completed Studies and Responses
In addition to its formal reports in response to convention mandates, the CTCR produces other studies and responses, which include (but are not limited to) study documents intended to elicit response and input for future consideration, Bible studies to accompany a report or to serve as a stand-alone document, discussion guides intended for congregational study of a report, responses to ecumenical statements or to publications of other church bodies, among other possibilities implied by the Synod .
1. Responses to Overtures Omnibus Res. A of the 2019 convention included twelve overtures for referral to the CTCR (and in some cases also to other entities; see 2019 Proceedings, 229–30). At its December 2019 meeting, the commission approved responses to those who had submitted these overtures, indicating various ways that their concerns were being or would be addressed.
2. On the Historical, Biblical, and Confessional Basis of Article VI of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (2010 Res. 8-30B) 2010 Res. 8-30B “To Study Article VI of Synod’s Constitution” asked that “the President of the Synod in consultation with the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and the Commission on Constitutional Matters make provisions for the preparation of materials (a study) that explain the biblical, confessional, and historical basis for Article VI of the Synod’s Constitution.” After conversation with the various other named entities, the commission produced a draft under its own direction. At its April 2019 meeting, the commission approved the study, entitled On the Historical, Biblical, and Confessional Basis of Article VI of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It was subsequently sent to the Synod President to use and disseminate at his discretion. This study is included in the Workbook appendix.
3. Reconciling Works Responses In early 2020, the commission received inquiries and concerns related to materials published in 2019 by an organization called Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation, which advo-
cated for LGBT causes in the church through reinterpretations of Scripture and Lutheran theology. The CTCR asked three LCMS seminary professors—the Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger, and the Rev. Dr. Timothy Saleska—to write evaluations of these materials on the basis of the theological perspective of the Synod. Two of these responses examine a document titled Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans; the other responds to a briefer document titled Lutheran Introduction to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression. At its March 2021 meeting, the commission approved these responses as “individual opinions recommended for study and consideration” to be published under the auspices of the CTCR, yet with the individual authors’ names.
4.
Lutheran World Federation: An Introduction and Evaluation from the Theological Perspective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (2019 Res. 5-07A) The 2019 convention (Res. 5-07, “To Clarify the Relationship between LCMS Partner Churches and the Lutheran World Federation”) urged the President of the Synod “to engage in fraternal dialogue with partner churches regarding this concern and compile accurate information from them on their existing relationship” to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). As the entity tasked with assisting the President in his relationship with other church bodies, the CTCR produced an evaluation of the LWF intended for the President’s use in advising partner churches about the LWF, inquiring about the nature of their relationship with the LWF, and urging them to reconsider that relationship. This brief evaluation provides an introduction to the history, organization, values, and publications of the LWF. It also offers criticisms of their confessional basis, understanding of fellowship, support for the ordination of women as pastors, and advocacy for LGBT issues amongst their church bodies. It finally proposes the International Lutheran Council as a biblically and confession ally faithful alternative for church association, support, and resources. The commission unanimously approved this evaluation at its April 2022 meeting. This evaluation is included in the Workbook appendix.
D. Standing Assignments and Work in Progress
The CTCR has a number of standing assignments on its agenda stemming from convention resolutions that did not specify a particular response but urged the commission to consider a response as circumstances dictate or to monitor future developments. Additionally, there are other assignments given the commission by convention action that are underway but were not completed in time for the submission of materials to the Secretary of Synod for publication in the convention Workbook.
1. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships (1981 Res. 3-03A) Since 1981, the CTCR has completed a number of documents relating to the subject of inter-church relationships, some in specific response to 1981 Res. 3-03A and subsequent resolutions related to it. These include: Inter-Christian Relationships: An Instrument for Study (1992), The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship: Study Materials (2000), The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship: Report on Synodical Discussions (2001), Church Relations in the 21st Century (2009), Principles for “Cooperation in Externals” with Theological Integrity (2010), Theological Dialogue with Other Christian Church Bodies (2011), and Policy for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Declaring Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Another Church Body (2009, rev. 2014, rev. 2021;
see below, II.A.1). The materials are all available on the CTCR’s website at lcms.org/ctcr. The Synod’s request for “practical guidelines … to assist officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individuals in the Synod in determining which practices and activities are appropriate to the various levels of inter-Lutheran and inter-Christian relationships in which the Synod is involved” (1981 Res. 3-03A) remains permanently on the commission’s agenda as a standing assignment. The CTCR continues to provide such guidance as needed and requested (e.g., I.C.2, discussed above).
2. Unity in Doctrine and Uniformity and Variety in Practice (2019 Res. 5-11) 2019 Res. 5–11 tasked the CTCR with preparing a report on the relationship between unity in doctrine and uniformity and variety in practice, the language for which is stipulated in Article III.7 of the current LCMS Constitution. After discussing the constitutional history of this issue, the committee is taking a current draft under consideration and intends to produce this report, along with a possible discussion guide or Bible study, in the next triennium.
3. Biblical Six-Day Creation (2019 Res. 5-09A) 2019 Res. 5-09A encouraged pastors to study and discuss various CTCR reports related to biblical six-day creation, including Creation in Biblical Perspective (1970), Together with All Creatures (2010), and All Things Hold Together in Christ (2015). It did not request any direct action from the CTCR, but the commission continues to review its current resources and consider new ones. It also commends its recently approved report on the order of creation as a contribution to this discussion.
4. Beginning of Life Issues (2019 Res. 11-01A) 2016 Task Force 3-04 reviewed all previous CTCR resources related to relevant beginning of life issues and prepared an overture for convention consideration. 2019 Res. 11-01A then asked the CTCR to “review and revisit” all pertinent documents in its corpus “to determine whether and/or where updates to these documents are needed, particularly regarding in vitro fertilization and recent developments in genetic testing, and how such potential updates might best and most effectively be communicated to the Synod.” The commission and its staff have reviewed and continue to review these reports with an eye toward if, where, and how updates might be undertaken.
5. To Affirm the Common Humanity of All Peoples and Ethnicities (2019 Res. 11-04A) The 2019 convention passed Res. 11-04A, which encouraged the use of the CTCR’s 1994 report Racism and the Church. In the wake of various societal conflicts over race, many members of the Synod, including the President of Synod, commended this report and also asked the commission to further explore various aspects of racism. While the commission found no need to update the 1994 report, it has continued working with the President to address concerns as they arise and to review questions regarding this issue.
6. Provide Assistance regarding Bioethics (1977 Res. 03-26) The 1977 convention encouraged the CTCR to address the moral implications of developments in bio ethics and biomedical technology in order to provide guidance to clergy, workers in those fields, and the entire Synod. The commission uses this standing assignment to address pertinent matters as they arise, such as the new
report on end-of-life decision-making (see I.B.4 above). Under this rubric, it also assisted the Office of the President, in collaboration with the Office of National Mission’s Life Ministries, in drafting a statement concerning the Synod’s position on vaccines and fetal cell lines.
E. Requests for Opinions
The CTCR receives and responds to requests for two sorts of opinions: 1) Advisory opinions are requests for guidance from the Synod President, district presidents, and the other Synod officers, boards, and commissions on matters of theology and practice under the general rubric that the CTCR “shall provide guidance to the Synod in matters of theology and church relations” () and “shall assist the President of the Synod at his request” (). 2) The Bylaws of the LCMS also specifically require the CTCR, when requested to do so, to render opinions (within 30 days) on theological questions that may arise in cases of dispute resolution or cases involving potential expulsion of an LCMS member (see, e.g., [h]; 2.14.7.8 [h][3]). In the current (2019–2023) extended triennium, the CTCR received no requests for a bylaw-mandated opinion, but did receive multiple requests from the President of Synod (see I.E.1–2, below). The resulting opinions are printed in the Appendix. Additionally, the CTCR also completed an earlier 2015 request from the South Wisconsin District president (see I.E.3 below).
1. Communion and Covid-19 Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, President Harrison requested that the CTCR staff draft an opinion addressing the propriety of online Communion. On March 20, 2020, the CTCR unanimously approved the staff-drafted opinion, which was then distributed by President Harrison to all district presidents and, subsequently, to all members of the Synod. The opinion appeals to a 2006 opinion regarding DVD consecration as precedent. Communion and Covid-19 specifically applied three points from the 2006 opinion to the current question: (1) The Words of Institution spoken at consecration should not be separated by time, distance, or means from the distribution and reception of the Sacrament; (2) the past orally spoken Words of Institution are not an incantation that consecrate the Sacrament through their sound or recording; and (3) no idiosyncrasy or technique for celebrating the Sacrament should distract from or give doubt concerning God’s promise given through the Sacrament. In the estimation of the commission, online Communion would raise “doubts or uncertainty about the Sacrament” by departing from its New Testament pattern and practice, and so it refused to endorse either the online consecration of the elements by a pastor while communicants received the elements in their home or the pastor consecrating elements for elders to distribute in homes. This opinion is included in the Workbook appendix.
2. “One Little Word Can Fell Him: Addendum to Communion and Covid-19” In response to the CTCR’s Communion and Covid-19 opinion, an anonymous critique was published, entitled “Communion in Home During Times of Crisis: Scriptural and Confessional Principles” (or CIH). At the request of the President of Synod, CTCR staff drafted a 10-point critique of CIH, which also served as an elaboration of the arguments made in Communion and Covid-19.
The commission also included an executive summary of the 10 points. This opinion reaffirmed the earlier positions of Communion and Covid-19 while urging that LCMS churches refrain from online Communion. This opinion is included in the Workbook appendix.
3. Shut-In Communion In the 2013–2016 triennium, the CTCR received a request for an opinion from the president of the South Wisconsin District on questions related to the administration of the Lord’s Supper to shut-ins by a commissioned minister. After due deliberation, at its December 2022 meeting, the commission unanimously approved a response and subsequently communicated it to the South Wisconsin District. This opinion is included in the Workbook appendix.
4. Guidelines for Laymen Conducting Public Worship Services In November 2022, the CTCR received a request from the President of Synod to provide a rationale and recommend guidelines for laymen who must publicly read sermons or conduct worship services in the absence of a pastor, whether in an emergency situation or for an extended period of time. The commission assigned staff to produce a response, which it intends to complete in advance of the Synod convention.
F. Expressions of Dissent provides a process for orderly “[d]issent from the doctrinal position of the Synod as expressed in its resolutions and doctrinal statements.” That process involves, first, discussion “within the fellowship of peers” and thereafter the dissent is to be “brought to the attention of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations” (). In the 2019–2023 extended triennium, the CTCR received correspondence regarding a potential dissent to the status of C.F.W. Walther’s theses on church and ministry. Out of concern for unity and in order to provide further fraternal discussion, the commission and its staff engaged in prolonged correspondence with the prospective dissenter. In 2022, faculty members from both seminaries met independently with the individual in question to discuss his concerns. Both the commission, in several written responses, and the respective faculty representatives, advised the individual that his concerns were unclear and his position not at odds with Walther’s theses. Ultimately, the individual chose to reject the commission’s opinion on the legitimacy of his dissent and indicated his intention to proceed with an overture to the convention.
II. Church Relations
The CTCR has the responsibility to “assist the President of the Synod at his request in discharging his constitutional responsibilities for maintaining doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies” (). This includes circumstances in which a church body requests LCMS recognition of fellowship. The commission’s approval is required for each fellowship request. In light of the many changes occurring in world Lutheranism, the LCMS has increasing numbers of fellowship requests and the CTCR seeks to address them both efficiently and faithfully. What follows includes four parts: (A) matters of policy and procedure undertaken to clarify the process leading to recognition of church fellowship; (B) formal requests for fellowship that have been recognized by the commission or are anticipated to be recognized prior to the convention; (C) relationships with church bodies that may eventuate in a formal act of dissolution by the convention; and (D) official
theological conversations with various church bodies that the commission does not believe will eventuate in formal recognition of church fellowship.
A.
Policies and Procedural Matters
1. Theological Considerations and Procedural Guidelines regarding Altar and Pulpit Fellowship At the request of the Synod president in 2003, the CTCR adopted a formal policy for declaring altar and pulpit fellowship, which it subsequently revised in 2014 to reflect convention actions and bylaw changes in the intervening years. Since the 2019 convention amended concerning the procedure for recognizing altar and pulpit fellowship, the commission again reviewed its policy in order to bring it into conformity with the Synod Bylaws. In addition to a number of changes made for the sake of clarity, the commission inserted a new section (III.E) detailing a “procedure for contemplating and/or recommending the termination of recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with another church body.” A full text of the policy is included in the Workbook appendix.
2. Proposed Bylaw Revisions () Following consultation with the Office of the President’s director of church relations and the Secretary of Synod, the commission considered revisions to , which pertains to the CTCR’s function in the recognition of church fellowship. At its April 2022 meeting, the commission approved the revisions and forwarded them to the Secretary of Synod for consultation with the Commission on Handbook and the Commission on Constitutional Matters. It proposed the elimination of 3.9.5.2.2 (e), which had been added at the 2019 convention, while also clarifying and condensing 3.9.5.2.2 (b–d).
B. Requests for Church Fellowship Approved by the CTCR In addition to the requests below approved by the CTCR, many existing and new requests for fellowship remain under consideration. In collaboration with the Church Relations staff of the President’s Office and the Office of International Mission, the CTCR continues to monitor developments among church bodies requesting fellowship, maintain conversation and correspondence with them, and discuss those requests at meetings of the commission. Due to the sheer volume of such requests, it is inadvisable to include all such relationships in this report until such a time as a request for fellowship is approved by the commission.
1. Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese in Finland (ELMDF) Representatives of the LCMS and ELMDF began formal correspondence and discussions concerning the possibility of fellowship between our two church bodies in 2017. In 2018, the ELMDF was accepted into the International Lutheran Council as a full member. At the same time, the ELMDF formally requested a recognition of fellowship with the LCMS. The ELMDF is in fellowship with several LCMS partner church bodies, including the Lutheran Church‒ Canada. After further CTCR consideration, the ELMDF, represented by then-bishop Risto Soramies, met with the commission in February 2020. At that meeting, the CTCR voted unanimously to recommend the formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ELMDF pursuant to , forwarding its recommendation to the Office of the President for declaration and subsequent endorsement by the Synod in convention. President
Harrison accordingly declared recognition of fellowship with the ELMDF in October 2020. The CTCR has submitted an overture to the 2023 convention urging formal endorsement by the Synod in convention.
2. Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan/Sudan (ELCSS/S) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan (ELCSS/S) was established in 1993 and initially submitted a request for fellowship in 1999, which was subsequently renewed in 2005 and 2013 due to various tensions within the church body and changes to its administration. Following discussion by the CTCR in 2013 and meetings between LCMS officials and ELCSS/S representatives in 2015, new bishop Peter Anibati Abia renewed the request for fellowship in 2018. After further deliberations by the CTCR and a meeting between CTCR representatives and Bishop Abia in April 2021, the CTCR invited Bishop Abia to join the full commission at its September 2021 meeting for formal discussions toward church fellowship. At its subsequent meeting in December 2021, the CTCR voted unanimously to recommend the formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ELCSS/S pursuant to , forwarding its recommendation to the Office of the President for declaration and subsequent endorsement by the Synod in convention. President Harrison accordingly declared recognition of fellowship with the ELCSS/S in August 2022, and the fellowship between our churches was publicly announced in a joint worship service held on Sept. 18, 2022, in Kisumu, Kenya. The CTCR has submitted an overture to the 2023 convention urging formal endorsement by the Synod in convention.
3. Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU) The Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU) began as a mission effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG) in 1993, with the support and cooperation of the LCMS, including service by the Synod’s missionaries. In 2015, the LCU officially became a self-governing church body independent of the ELCG and subsequently, in 2016, submitted a request for altar and pulpit fellowship. The commission took the request into consideration during the 2016–2019 triennium and continued discussion into the present extended triennium, before finally inviting Bishop Charles Bameka and other representatives of the LCU for discussion at its October 2022 meeting. At that October 2022 meeting, the commission voted unanimously to recommend the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship under and has submitted an overture urging this action for consideration by the Synod at the 2023 convention.
4. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (ELCU) Lutheranism came to Ukraine near the end of the 18th century with the migration of German farmers and craftsmen invited by the Russian czar to work in and help develop Ukraine. The ELCU has its roots in the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (GELCU), which was established in 1992. The Rev. Serge Mas chew ski was elected as Bishop of GELCU in 2013 and took office in 2014. At its Feb. 16–18, 2023, meeting, the CTCR met face-toface with Bishop Mas chew ski to consider a 2019 request by the ELCU to enter into church fellowship with the LCMS. Following extensive discussion and thorough examination of documents setting forth the ELCU’s doctrine, practice, and polity, the commission voted unanimously to recommend recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship under and has submitted an
overture urging this action for consideration by the Synod at the 2023 convention.
5. Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka (CELC) The Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka (CELC) traces its origins to the efforts of LCMS missionaries. It was formerly known as the Lanka Lutheran Church and enjoyed altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS for a number of years until it ceased to exist in 2007. The Synod continued work in Sri Lanka, and the former Lanka Lutheran Church was reconstituted as the CELC in 2017. At its Feb. 16–18, 2023, meeting, the CTCR considered and ultimately approved (unanimously) a recommendation from the Synod’s Board for International Mission (per [d]) to memorialize the Synod to recognize the CELC as a self-governing partner church with which the LCMS is in altar and pulpit fellowship. The BIM has submitted an overture urging this action for consideration by the Synod at the 2023 convention.
C. Dissolution of Church Fellowship Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) The Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) began with LCMS mission work in 1948, eventually forming its own autonomous church body in 1968 and entering altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS in 1971. In recent decades, however, advocacy for women’s ordination within the JLC has led to serious concerns from the perspective of the Synod. After nearly three decades of internal debate, at its 2008 convention, the JLC proposed an alteration of its bylaws to allow for the ordination of women. As a result, then LCMS President Gerald Ki esch nick raised strong concerns with the JLC and initiated conversations between LCMS representatives and leaders of the JLC, who met four times between February 2009 and August 2010. President Matthew Harrison resumed those conversations through his Office of Church Relations between August 2017 and June 2019. Though JLC did not act upon its 2008 proposal, which was attempted again in 2011, they had already permitted one female deacon to be ordained and subsequently ordained another in 2021. On April 20, 2021, the JLC officially changed its position and amended its bylaws to allow for the ordination of women. Upon notification, President Harrison advised the JLC, with much sadness and regret, that its actions had severed the theological basis for altar and pulpit fellowship (that is, complete agreement in doctrine and practice) that it had shared with the LCMS and that he intended to bring this matter before the Synod convention for consideration. As part of its newly revised policy regarding theological and procedural guidelines for church fellowship, the commission inserted a specific process detailing the procedure for recognizing the cessation of church fellowship with a partner church (see II.A.1 above). It concludes with the following step (III.E.7): If as a result of these discussions the concerns leading to the initiation of this process are not able to be resolved, the president of the Synod, speaking the truth in love, shall convey this decision clearly to the head of the church body in question, indicating the need to bring this serious matter to the attention of the Synod in convention. The president may then advise the CTCR to prepare an overture regarding this matter for consideration by the next Synod convention. He shall also determine the best and most appropriate way(s) to inform the members of the Synod and the Synod’s partner churches of this regrettable situation and the need to place this matter before the Synod in convention. After consultation with the President and his Office of Church Relations, the CTCR has adjudged that such a dissolution is warranted. At its February 2023 meeting, the commission approved an overture for submission to the 2023 convention recommending recognition of dissolution of fellowship with the JLC.
D. Meetings and Discussions with Other Churches and Groups Since the inception of the CTCR in 1962, when it absorbed the responsibilities of the church relations–focused Committee on Doctrinal Unity (1962 Res. 6-03), the commission has regularly represented the President of Synod in official contacts with other church bodies. At the President’s request, the CTCR has been involved in many official and unofficial theological conversations with a variety of Christian denominations and organizations over the years. For an explanation of the role and benefits of such conversations, even where full altar and pulpit fellowship may not be immediately foreseen, the commission commends its 2011 report Theological Dialogue with Other Christian Bodies. In the last decade, the CTCR has participated in three such discussions: the Anglican Church in North America (in collaboration with the Lutheran Church‒Canada), the North American Lutheran Church (in collaboration with the Lutheran Church‒Canada), and jointly with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
1. Anglican Church in North America Four rounds of meetings with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) have occurred since 2010. Topics for the meetings have included the history and background of the two churches, understandings of authority and ministry in the church, the ordination of women to public ministry, contemporary challenges and opportunities facing American Christianity, worship and catechesis, issues related to marriage and human sexuality, and the doctrine and practice of the Lord’s Supper. The meetings have been open and cordial, with the churches’ representatives learning from one another and discovering many important areas of common ground but also differences in doctrine and practice that require further discussion. LCMS representatives have included President Matthew Harrison, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw and the Rev. Michael Frese of the Office of the President; the Rev. Dr. Lehen bauer, the Rev. Dr. Serina, and the Rev. Dr. Vogel of the CTCR; the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne; and the Rev. Dr. Frederick Baue. Because the ACNA has a number of congregations in Canada, representatives from the Lutheran Church‒Canada (LCC), including the Rev. Dr. John Stephenson, LCC President the Rev. Timothy Teuscher, former LCC President the Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee, and the Rev. Joel Kuhl, chair of the LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations, have also been full and active participants in these discussions. In addition to a May 2012 joint statement by dialogue participants, a joint affirmation of marriage was prepared by the representatives and then published by the heads of both church bodies, together with the bishop of the NALC (see next item). A further joint report on the discussions was prepared by the representatives in February of 2016. Meetings were limited during the pandemic, but discussions continued to address questions of ordination, women in ministry, and increasing cultural challenges to moral issues. The agenda
for the next triennium is to include discussion of a theologically faithful approach to ecumenical dialogue, the office and role of the diaconate in the respective theological traditions, and possible collaborations in public advocacy for First Article matters, such as biblical marriage, biblical sexuality, and pro-life positions.
2. North American Lutheran Church Representatives of the LCMS, Lutheran Church‒Canada (LCC), and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) have been meeting together since 2011 and have held discussions on the following topics: authority of Scripture, Gospel and Scripture, ordination of women, human sexuality and marriage, and threats to religious freedom. LCMS representatives during the last triennium included the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw and the Rev. Michael Frese of the Office of the President; the Rev. Dr. John Pless of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne; and the Rev. Dr. Lehen bauer, the Rev. Dr. Serina, and the Rev. Dr. Vogel of the CTCR. The NALC was represented by Bp. Dan Selbo, the Rev. Dr. David Wendel, the Rev. Dr. James Nestingen, the Rev. Mark Chavez, the Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen, and the Rev. Dr. Maurice Lee. The Rev. Dr. Bugbee and the Rev. Michael Keith represented the LCC. Due to the pandemic and much turnover among delegations, much of the triennium was spent revisiting prior discussions, including its 2016 joint statement on biblical authority, titled “God’s Word Forever Shall Abide.” In the coming triennium, the dialogue will address the background to the various Lutheran synods in America and the relations among them, the nature of the relationship among our synods at the present time and going forward, and the Lutheran view of Scripture and the Confessions in contrast with Protestant fundamentalism and evangelicalism.
3. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) Informal discussions between leaders of the LCMS, WELS, and ELS began in 2012 and have been held on an annual basis, with the most recent discussions in December 2022. The meetings have dispelled many caricatures regarding the different churches and helped to identify what currently unites and divides them. All three synods have encouraged future meetings by national convention action. Among the topics that have been addressed in the recent triennium were the office of the pastoral ministry, church fellowship, the role of women, the interpretation of the Lutheran Confessions, and the current hymnals published by each church body. The meetings will continue in the coming triennium.
III. Religious Organizations and Movements
The CTCR is charged with assisting “congregations and ordained and commissioned ministers of religion in fulfilling their commitment to witness publicly and privately to the one and only Gospel set forth in the Holy Scriptures” (2016 “Fraternal and Other Organizations”). This bylaw includes the Synod’s longstanding provisions for dealing with lodges as well as other organizations which have “an unchristian or anti-Christian character.” In providing resources and information to the members of the Synod regarding such organizations, philosophies, and religious movements, the CTCR includes a section of its web site designated “Evaluations” (see lcms.org/ctcr). Evaluations fall into two general categories: Lodge Organizations and Religious Organizations and Movements. The evaluations consider, from a Lutheran theological perspective, a broad range of religious practices, organizations, movements, claims, and individuals—both Christian and non-Christian. In addition to material previously available, during
New Atheism
the past triennium the commission has provided several new evaluations. New topics addressed include Alpha Course, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gideons International, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, Newer Atheists, Red Letter Christians, Secularism, Shriner’s International, and Universalism. A goal of the commission is to continue to provide Spanish language translations of its evaluations. The entire current listing of topics addressed by CTCR evaluations includes:
Newer Atheists Rastafarians Red Letter Christians Reiki Restorationism Salvation Army
Lodge Organizations:
Satanism
Elks Lodge
Secular Humanism (also available in Spanish)
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Secularism
The Lodge
Seventh-day Adventism (also available in Spanish)
Membership in Certain Fraternal Organizations: A Pastoral Approach (also available in Spanish)
Shriner’s International Swedenborgianism (New Church)
Moose International
The International Churches of Christ (also available in Spanish)
Other Religious Organizations and Movements: Alpha Course
The Occult (also available in Spanish)
Abrahamic Religions
The op host ic Prayer Ministry
Baha’i Faith
Transhumanism
Beth Moore Ministries (also available in Spanish)
Unification Church (also available in Spanish)
Buddhism (also available in Spanish)
Unitarian-Universalist Association (UUA)
Center for Progressive Christianity
United Pentecostal Church International
Christian Identity Movement
Unity School of Christianity
Christian Reconstructionism
Universalism
Christian Science (also available in Spanish)
Vineyard Ministries
Church of Scientology (also available in Spanish)
Wicca
Church less Christianity
Word-Faith Movement
Cults—An Overview (also available in Spanish)
Yoga
Cursillo Movement (also available in Spanish)
Lawrence Rast, Chairman Joel D. Lehen bauer, Executive Director (Approved by the CTCR, February 17, 2023)