wfn.org | LCMS Resolutions Address Work with Homosexuals, Worship, Black Hymnal

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services
1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

61st Regular Convention St. Louis, Mo. July 14-20, 2001

July 19, 2001 #44

Contact: Bruce Kueck (314) 342-5715

Convention resolutions address work with homosexuals, worship, black hymnal

ST. LOUIS -- The floor committee for Congregational Services finished here 
Thursday, July 19, its work for the 61st Regular Convention of The Lutheran 
Church Missouri Synod when delegates passed resolutions to:
minister to homosexuals and their families,
continue to foster discussion on worship, and
encourage "appropriate" evaluation of a black hymnal titled "This Far By 
Faith."

Ministry to homosexuals and their families "in a spirit of compassion and 
humility" is the aim stated in the resolution which recommends that 
congregations use "for study and a guide for pastoral care" a document 
titled "A Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families." A task 
force appointed by the Synod president issued that plan in 1999 after it 
was mandated by the Synod s 1992 convention.

The resolution points out that homosexuality is being promoted by "certain 
groups in our society" as "an acceptable alternative lifestyle," that God s 
Law "declares homosexual lust and activity to be sin," and that the Synod 
"recognizes homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful," It lumps that 
behavior with "all other sin" which God forgives through Christ.

Delegates solidly defeated a delegate s amendment that proposed stating 
that a homosexual lifestyle is sinful, but that homosexual orientation is not.

"This is a theological issue, not a sociological consideration," Rev. 
Herbert Mueller, chairman of the committee, told the convention.

The worship-discussion resolution continues talks aimed at consensus in 
worship talks that started in the three years since the 1998 convention 
called for them.

"We give thanks to God for the progress," states the resolution, which also 
reminds congregational worship leaders that "worship practices in their 
local setting have broader implications which affect other congregations & 
and the church-at-large."

It also calls on Synod leaders, higher-education institutions and the LCMS 
Commission on Worship to "find ways to foster discussion among groups with 
diverse viewpoints" on worship, in line with the Synod s theology and practice.

The resolution about the new black hymnal explains that the Synod s Board 
for Black Ministry Services and Commission on Worship cooperated with other 
Lutheran groups in producing the hymnal, although some parts of it did not 
pass the LCMS doctrinal-review process.

The hymnal "is treasured by many congregations because its collection of 
hymns, folk songs, spirituals and cultural resources speaks in the language 
of Black culture," notes the resolution. It also commends the Board for 
Black Ministry for seeking to provide doctrinally pure worship materials.

Recalling that the late LCMS President A.L. Barry reported that "This Far 
By Faith" has both useful and doctrinally questionable material, the 
resolution encourages congregations to consider Barry s report and 
Commission on Worship guidelines to evaluate the hymnal. It also asked the 
commission "to use doctrinally pure materials" from the hymnal and other 
hymn collections as resources for the new Synod hymnal it is preparing.

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