Grace Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Elgin, Texas

What's Going On in the Missouri Synod?

The direction the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is going on a number of issues threatens to break the Synod into pieces. Bible classes have been held and are being held in congregations around the country to teach members: what the Bible says; what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess; what the LCMS has previously confessed and practiced; and what the LCMS is confessing and practicing now. (Learn more about the Biblical-Confessional standard.) While there are larger numbers of issues of concern, some congregations, such as Trinity Lutheran Church, Herrin, Illinois, have focused their attention on six key issues, and we at Grace are making use of material developed at Trinity (used here acknowledging that congregation's authorship and with its permission).

All Christians are commanded to avoid those who teach or tolerate falsehood in their midst (Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 6:3ff.). With great sadness, it has become increasingly apparent that our own beloved Missouri Synod (LCMS)

has allowed her "official" teachings to become corrupted by Synodical resolutions which approve falsehood. And furthermore,
the LCMS has negated her "official" doctrine by the actual false teachings and practices of her members.¹

We have identified six points in which the LCMS is teaching and/or tolerating falsehood. The links below are to the materials developed at Trinity and being used in the special classes at Grace.

Closed or Open Communion

Although the LCMS officially professes the historic and Scriptural teaching of closed communion, many congregations within the LCMS practice some form of open communion without being disciplined. In our Synodical President’s reports he minimizes the present false practices as being only differing practical applications.

Contemporary Worship

Although the LCMS Constitution and bylaws requires the “exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms,” many congregations are being encouraged to follow the false revivalistic worship of the Reformed without being disciplined. Our Synodical President has been heavily promoting Contemporary Worship from within his Synodically approved Ablaze! Program. His convention reports consider Contemporary Worship to be acceptable practical applications. The 2004 Convention Resolution 2-04 has directed the Commission on Worship toward “the development of diverse worship.”

Unionism and Syncretism

Although the LCMS Constitution requires the “renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description,” our Synodical President approved of the participation of District President Benke in a unionistic and syncretistic service at Yankee Stadium. Since that time, as well as in his sermon and reports to the 2004 Convention, he continues to maintain publicly that his decision was correct, and furthermore, that his decision is the “position of the LCMS.” The 2004 Convention passed Resolution 3-06A, “To Commend the CTCR Document Guidelines for Participation in Civic Events” (GPCE) which effectively denies the existence of syncretism by claiming that Christian and non-Christian clergy could “take turns” offering prayers without it being joint worship.

Lay Ministers

At the Synodical Convention in Wichita (1989), the unscriptural office of “lay minister” was created in direct violation of Augsburg Confession XIV. Instead of putting an end to the practice as was recommended by 2001 Resolution 3-08 (and endorsed by our seminaries), a substitute resolution 3-08B endorsed and continued this practice. With the passage of 2004 Resolution 5-09, the Convention directs “the Synod in convention recognize, affirm, and encourage the work of the Districts in developing ministry-equipping programs for laity.” Those who publicly teach in the Church or administer the sacraments are no longer required to be called and ordained clergymen.

Service of Women (Order of Creation)

With the passage of 2004 Convention Resolution 3-08A, “To Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR Report: The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices,” our Synod has changed its official teaching on the “order of creation” (that a woman is not “to have authority over a man,” 1 Timothy 2:12), and thereby approved women to serve in every humanly established office, including elder and congregational chairman.

Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution

With the passage of 2004 Resolution 8-01A, widespread changes in the “Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution,” process removed a congregation’s and pastor’s right to initiate formal proceedings so that each member is held to the Word of God. Now that power lies solely in the discretion of the District Presidents and Synodical President. Furthermore, the rulings of the Committee on Constitutional Matters [which state that the prior approval of an ecclesiastical supervisor precludes the possibility of discipline for wrong doing] were approved by the Synodical Convention, overturning their annulment by the Synodical Board of Directors. The Word of God is no longer the “only rule and norm of faith and life” in the LCMS.

In order to retain our membership in the Missouri Synod with a clear conscience, we must plainly state that we do not agree with nor do we tolerate these false teachings. The above six points are not occasional errors that are in the process of being corrected. Either these false doctrines have been approved by our Synod in Convention and become the new “official teaching,” or on account of their widespread practice and corresponding lack of discipline, should be considered the de facto teaching of our Synod...

On January 9, 2005, Trinity Lutheran Church, Herrin, Illinois, declared itself to be in a State of Confession against "those who teach, practice and support these six protested false teachings". That State of Confession means that the members of that congregation will not commune such people at Trinity nor commune with them elsewhere, allow such to preach at Trinity, or support them financially or otherwise. A decision on what action, if any, Grace will take will likely come at the conclusion of our special studies.

¹ “A church body is orthodox only if the true doctrine, as we have it in the Augsburg Confession and the other Lutheran Symbols, is actually taught in its pulpits and its publications and not merely ‘officially’ professed as its faith. Not the ‘official’ doctrine, but the actual teaching determines the character of a church body, because Christ enjoins that all things whatsoever He has commanded His disciples should actually be taught and not merely acknowledged in an ‘official document’ as the correct doctrine. It is patent that faith in Christ will be created and preserved through the pure Gospel only when that Gospel is really proclaimed” (Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, III, p.423)


	What's Going On in the Missouri Synod? The direction the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is going on a number of issues threatens to break the Synod into pieces. Bible classes have been held and are being held in congregations around the country to teach members: what the Bible says; what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess; what the LCMS has previously confessed and practiced; and what the LCMS is confessing and practicing now. (Learn more about the Biblical-Confessional standard.) While there are larger numbers of issues of concern, some congregations, such as Trinity Lutheran Church, Herrin, Illinois, have focused their attention on six key issues, and we at Grace are making use of material developed at Trinity (used here acknowledging that congregation's authorship and with its permission). All Christians are commanded to avoid those who teach or tolerate falsehood in their midst (Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 6:3ff.). With great sadness, it has become increasingly apparent that our own beloved Missouri Synod (LCMS) has allowed her "official" teachings to become corrupted by Synodical resolutions which approve falsehood. And furthermore, the LCMS has negated her "official" doctrine by the actual false teachings and practices of her members.¹ We have identified six points in which the LCMS is teaching and/or tolerating falsehood. The links below are to the materials developed at Trinity and being used in the special classes at Grace. Closed or Open Communion Although the LCMS officially professes the historic and Scriptural teaching of closed communion, many congregations within the LCMS practice some form of open communion without being disciplined. In our Synodical President’s reports he minimizes the present false practices as being only differing practical applications. Contemporary Worship Although the LCMS Constitution and bylaws requires the “exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms,” many congregations are being encouraged to follow the false revivalistic worship of the Reformed without being disciplined. Our Synodical President has been heavily promoting Contemporary Worship from within his Synodically approved Ablaze! Program. His convention reports consider Contemporary Worship to be acceptable practical applications. The 2004 Convention Resolution 2-04 has directed the Commission on Worship toward “the development of diverse worship.” Unionism and Syncretism Although the LCMS Constitution requires the “renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description,” our Synodical President approved of the participation of District President Benke in a unionistic and syncretistic service at Yankee Stadium. Since that time, as well as in his sermon and reports to the 2004 Convention, he continues to maintain publicly that his decision was correct, and furthermore, that his decision is the “position of the LCMS.” The 2004 Convention passed Resolution 3-06A, “To Commend the CTCR Document Guidelines for Participation in Civic Events” (GPCE) which effectively denies the existence of syncretism by claiming that Christian and non-Christian clergy could “take turns” offering prayers without it being joint worship. Lay Ministers At the Synodical Convention in Wichita (1989), the unscriptural office of “lay minister” was created in direct violation of Augsburg Confession XIV. Instead of putting an end to the practice as was recommended by 2001 Resolution 3-08 (and endorsed by our seminaries), a substitute resolution 3-08B endorsed and continued this practice. With the passage of 2004 Resolution 5-09, the Convention directs “the Synod in convention recognize, affirm, and encourage the work of the Districts in developing ministry-equipping programs for laity.” Those who publicly teach in the Church or administer the sacraments are no longer required to be called and ordained clergymen. Service of Women (Order of Creation) With the passage of 2004 Convention Resolution 3-08A, “To Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR Report: The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices,” our Synod has changed its official teaching on the “order of creation” (that a woman is not “to have authority over a man,” 1 Timothy 2:12), and thereby approved women to serve in every humanly established office, including elder and congregational chairman. Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution With the passage of 2004 Resolution 8-01A, widespread changes in the “Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution,” process removed a congregation’s and pastor’s right to initiate formal proceedings so that each member is held to the Word of God. Now that power lies solely in the discretion of the District Presidents and Synodical President. Furthermore, the rulings of the Committee on Constitutional Matters [which state that the prior approval of an ecclesiastical supervisor precludes the possibility of discipline for wrong doing] were approved by the Synodical Convention, overturning their annulment by the Synodical Board of Directors. The Word of God is no longer the “only rule and norm of faith and life” in the LCMS. In order to retain our membership in the Missouri Synod with a clear conscience, we must plainly state that we do not agree with nor do we tolerate these false teachings. The above six points are not occasional errors that are in the process of being corrected. Either these false doctrines have been approved by our Synod in Convention and become the new “official teaching,” or on account of their widespread practice and corresponding lack of discipline, should be considered the de facto teaching of our Synod... On January 9, 2005, Trinity Lutheran Church, Herrin, Illinois, declared itself to be in a State of Confession against "those who teach, practice and support these six protested false teachings". That State of Confession means that the members of that congregation will not commune such people at Trinity nor commune with them elsewhere, allow such to preach at Trinity, or support them financially or otherwise. A decision on what action, if any, Grace will take will likely come at the conclusion of our special studies. ¹ “A church body is orthodox only if the true doctrine, as we have it in the Augsburg Confession and the other Lutheran Symbols, is actually taught in its pulpits and its publications and not merely ‘officially’ professed as its faith. Not the ‘official’ doctrine, but the actual teaching determines the character of a church body, because Christ enjoins that all things whatsoever He has commanded His disciples should actually be taught and not merely acknowledged in an ‘official document’ as the correct doctrine. It is patent that faith in Christ will be created and preserved through the pure Gospel only when that Gospel is really proclaimed” (Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, III, p.423)
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