TO ENCOURAGE HARMONY IN THE DISTRICT’S WORSHIP

WHEREAS, the Scriptures say that in Christian worship “all things should be done decently and in order” (I Cor. 14:40); and

WHEREAS, the Scriptures say that, “‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up ” (I Cor 10:23); and

WHEREAS, the Formula of Concord states that the Church “in every time and place has the right, power, and authority to change, reduce, or expand [church] practices according to circumstances in an orderly and appropriate manner, without frivolity or offense, as seems most useful, beneficial, and best for good order, Christian discipline, evangelical decorum, and the building up of the church” (FC SD X.9); and

WHEREAS, the Augsburg Confession states that “it is lawful for bishops or pastors to establish ordinances so that things are done in the church in an orderly fashion. . . . It is fitting for the churches to comply with such ordinances for the sake of love and tranquillity” (AC XXVIII.54-55); and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Synod states that one of the “[c]onditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod” is “4. Exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and school” (Art. VI); and

WHEREAS, controversy has raged in the church for some time concerning pastors and congregations who write their own orders for public worship, or draw them from sources other than those mentioned in the Synod’s Constitution, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, that the ((DISTRICT)) in convention hereby solemnly encourages each congregation in the district to offer public worship services exclusively according the rites and services of the Synod’s three hymnbooks/agenda (The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, and Lutheran Service Book), as well as the supplemental hymnbooks/agenda prepared by the Synod’s Commission on Worship (Worship Supplement; Hymnal Supplement 98; All God’s People Sing).

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