To Commend Deaconess Linda Schaefer upon Her Retirement

Transcription

1 OVERTURES CID Floor Committee OVERTURE To Commend Deaconess Linda Schaefer upon Her Retirement WHEREAS, Deaconess Linda Schaefer has worked faithfully for years (the longest ever for any District staff) for the Central Illinois District; and WHEREAS, She retired last August 01; therefore be it Resolved, That we say to Deaconess Linda Schaefer, Well done, good and faithful servant (Matt :1); and be it further Resolved, That the Central Illinois District in convention thank and commend her for her faithful years of work by directing the District President to present her a special gift of thanks; and be it finally Resolved, That this convention give thanks to God for this faithful servant of the Lord and praise Him by rising and singing: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. CID Mission Commission CID Board of Directors OVERTURE To Suggest the Mission and Ministry Emphasis for Synod Resolved, That the following possible emphases be submitted to the Synodical Convention for consideration for the LCMS' next triennium: 1. To support and encourage rural and small town ministry.. To support and encourage campus ministry.. To support and encourage our parochial schools. Mattoon Circuit Forum 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

2 OVERTURE To Encourage Congregations to Offer Regular Adult Confirmation Classes, Practice Friendship Sundays, and Build and Maintain Congregational Web Sites WHEREAS, God desires that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy :); and WHEREAS, Our Lord has given to all His children the opportunity and responsibility to spread the Gospel, declaring the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter :); and WHEREAS, Unchurched and unsaved people abound in the communities of the Central Illinois District; therefore be it Resolved, That the congregations of the CID be encouraged to establish specific days for Adult Instruction Classes, host Friendship Sundays, build and maintain congregational web sites and make use of Evangelical District Resources. CID Evangelism Commission CID Board of Directors OVERTURE To Amend Synod Bylaw... Concerning the Commission on Constitutional Matters Resolved, That the Central Illinois District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod submit the following overture to the 01 convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. WHEREAS, Bylaw... in the 01 Handbook of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod states: The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall examine the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and policy manuals of every agency of the Synod to ascertain whether they are in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. (a) Agencies intending to make amendments to articles of incorporation or bylaws shall make such intentions known and receive approval from the commission in advance. (b) The commission shall maintain a file of the articles of incorporation bylaws, and policy manuals of all agencies of the Synod. and WHEREAS, Bylaw 1..1 (a) (1) in the 01 Handbook of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod states: Agencies include each board, commission, council, seminary, university, college, district, Concordia Plan Services, and each synodwide corporate entity ; and 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

3 WHEREAS, Districts amend their articles of incorporation and bylaws in conventions, at which the Synod Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) is not present, and therefore the CCM cannot give approval in advance for any changes in wording of articles of incorporation or bylaws which might be made through amendments from the floor at such conventions, and WHEREAS, The parliamentarian at the 00 convention of the Synod ruled that, according to Synod s bylaws, amendments from the floor could not be debated unless they had first been examined by the CCM, in effect allowing the CCM to kill any amendments simply by failing to examine them, and WHEREAS, By such a reading, Bylaw... would rule out all amendments from the floor of any district convention, thus robbing the districts of the insights of the delegates who are not on floor committees, even prohibiting districts from voting on their own bylaws, if their floor committees failed to provide the CCM with advance copies of their proposed changes, or if the CCM for any reason fails to approve them before the convention; therefore be it Resolved, That Synod Bylaw... be amended to read as follows: The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall examine the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and policy manuals of every agency of the Synod to ascertain whether they are in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. (a) Agencies intending to make amendments to articles of incorporation or bylaws shall make such intentions known and receive approval from submit their proposed amendments to the commission in advance for review. (b) The commission shall examine the proposed wording of all amendments received from these agencies and report their findings to the submitting agency, including suggestions for any corrections which the commission deems to be necessary. (c) After agencies amend their articles of incorporation or bylaws, they shall submit them to the commission for similar review. (d) The commission shall maintain a file of the articles of incorporation bylaws, and policy manuals of all agencies of the Synod. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Taylor Ridge, Ill. Adopted March, 01 _Josh Bieri_, secretary _Mark R. Eddy_, pastor OVERTURE To Re-affirm the God-given Form of Marriage WHEREAS, God instituted marriage as the union of a man and a woman for the procreation of children and mutual help, companionship, and support (Genesis 1:-; :1 & 1-); and WHEREAS, the Lord Jesus and His apostle St. Paul re-affirmed God s intent for marriage, as stated in Matthew 1:- & (see also Mark :-1) and Ephesians :-; and 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

4 WHEREAS, the God-given way to procreate children is through the sexual union of a male husband and his female wife, in which the husband releases sperm to fertilize the wife s egg, making the husband the resultant child s father and the wife the child s mother; and WHEREAS, God prohibits all sexual intercourse outside of the marriage of a husband and his own wife (1 Cor. :f; 1 Tim. 1:-), with His prohibitions including: adultery with another person s spouse (Ex. 0:1; Lev. 0:; Deut. :-; 1 Cor. :f), incest (Lev. 0:-1, 1, 1, 1-1), homosexual activity (Lev. 0:1; Rom. 1:-; 1 Cor. :f; 1 Tim. 1:-), bestiality (Lev. 0:1-1), and prostitution (Lev. 1:; Deut. :1), prescribing the death penalty for many of these offenses (Lev. 0:-1, see also Rom. 1:), also prescribing that if an unmarried man and woman have intercourse, they be compelled to marry (Deut. :-); and WHEREAS, in 01 A.D. the State of Illinois changed its definition of marriage to include two persons of the same sex; and WHEREAS, homosexual couples cannot fulfill all the responsibilities of marriage, because they cannot conceive children together; and they cannot engage in true sexual intercourse as a husband and his wife become one flesh; and WHEREAS, the 0 A.D. Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act stated: Nothing in this Act shall interfere with or regulate the religious practice of any religious body. (Section 1); and WHEREAS, St. Paul taught us: Let every person subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God (Rom. 1:1), in agreement with our Lord s testimony to Pontius Pilate, You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above (John 1:), and St. Peter stated: We must obey God rather than men (Acts :); and WHEREAS, Illinois law in this matter calls evil good, by honoring actions which God calls capital crimes, and calls good evil, by considering those who disagree with this law to be guilty of discrimination, in spite of God s condemnation: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah :0, see also Malachi :1); therefore be it Resolved, That the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod re-affirm all that God s word says about marriage, sexual activity, and child rearing; and be it further Resolved, That the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod publicly state that the apostle s statement: We must obey God rather than men (Acts :), applies to all people at all times, not only to Christian pastors in divine services; and be it further Resolved, That the secretary of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod be instructed to forward this Resolution to the Governor and legislators of the State of Illinois, and the Presidents of the Northern and Southern Illinois Districts of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod; and be it further 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

5 Resolved, That the members of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod be encouraged to contact their representatives and to work for the restoration of the biblically and biologically correct definition of marriage and to oppose any government actions which deny religious freedoms to the residents of this State; and be it finally Resolved, That the members of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod be encouraged to pray to our loving and merciful God, 1) that He would move all of His people to speak the truth in love (Eph. :1) to our neighbors, both explaining the evils of sin and offering the blessings which God provides by grace, ) that for Christ s sake He would forgive all who repent of their sexual sins, including couples engaging in sexual activity without being married to each other as well as those who commit homosexual acts, and ) that by His Spirit s working through His Word, God would empower His people to lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other (Luther s Small Catechism, sixth commandment), always showing love by fulfilling God s laws (Rom. 1:-), overcoming evil with good (Rom. 1:1), setting good examples for our neighbors of all ages and religions, and thus being agents of God s blessings to our state, nation, and world. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Taylor Ridge, Ill. Adopted March, 01 _Josh Bieri_, secretary _Mark R. Eddy_, pastor OVERTURE To Memorialize the Synod as Regards the Licensed Lay Deacon WHEREAS, the LC MS in Convention in 01 adopted Resolution -0A, which directed the following: Resolved, That in faithfulness to God s Word and Article XIV of the Augsburg Confession regarding the Office of the Holy Ministry, the President of Synod would direct the CTCR to develop resources for use on the congregational, district, and Synod levels concerning this issue; and be it further Resolved, That the President of the Synod, who has the responsibility to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod (Constitution, Art. XI B ), be encouraged to use all means at his disposal to promote study and discussion of this vital issue; and be it further 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

6 Resolved, That the President of the Synod establish a task force consisting of members from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, the Council of Presidents, the Praesidium, and seminary faculties to develop a plan anchored in the Word, in consultation with licensed lay deacons and those who supervise and are served by them, to resolve questions about the service of licensed lay deacons serving congregations of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with the Word and Sacraments of Christ; and be it finally Resolved, That the plan and its proposed implementation be reported to the Synod one year before the 01 convention; WHEREAS, the theological basis of Resolution -0A remains Article XIV of the Augsburg Confession which states: Our churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call ; and Article V of the same which states: So that we may obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. Through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Spirit is given (John 0:) ; WHEREAS, the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in convention in 01 passed a resolution To Require Uniformity of Practice With Regard to Word and Sacrament Ministry which expressed our regret with the current practice within the LC MS of men who are conducting Word and Sacrament ministry without being publicly called to, and placed in, the office of the ministry ; WHEREAS, in that same resolution the Central Illinois District also memorialized the Synod in Convention to direct the Council of Presidents to develop a plan and lay out procedures: A) So that all men who are currently engaged in Word and Sacrament ministry without being publicly called to, and placed in, the office of the ministry may either be enrolled in the SMP program or cease from all forms of Word and Sacrament ministry by the end of 01, and B) So that all current Synod and District tracks, programs, licensing procedures etc. which train men for Word and Sacrament ministry without benefit of being publicly called to, and placed in, the office of the ministry can be phased out in favor of SMP by the end of ; WHEREAS, the Task Force established by the 01 Synod in Convention has been doing its work as directed, and based on updates posted to the Convention update webpage dedicated to Resolution - 0A ( is planning to distribute its report in hard copy and electronically to each member of the Synod; WHEREAS, the task force intends for a Synod-wide discussion of its report to take place prior to the 01 Synod Convention; and 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

7 WHEREAS, the Scriptural and Confessional basis of the 01 Central Illinois District Convention s resolution has not changed, as the Word of God is unchangeable, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Luke 1:); therefore be it Resolved, That the Central Illinois District thank the members of the Resolution -0A Task Force for their work in studying the ongoing challenge of men who are conducting Word and Sacrament ministry without being publicly called to, and placed in, the office of the ministry; and be it further Resolved, That the Central Illinois District thank the men currently serving as Licensed Lay Deacons for their service to Christ s Church for the sake of the Gospel, and that the Chaplain of the convention lead us in prayer that our Lord would lead these men to seek ordination according to His good and gracious will; and be it further Resolved, That the Central Illinois District memorialize the Synod in convention to direct the Council of Presidents to enact the following plan to return the Synod to a faithful practice of her confession: 1. All the Districts of the Synod shall immediately discontinue the licensing of lay deacons (1 Res. -0B).. All men currently engaged in Word and Sacrament ministry without being publicly called to, and placed in, the office of the ministry will be enrolled in either a residential program at one of our two seminaries by the end of 01 or in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program, or will cease all forms of Word and Sacrament ministry within that same time frame. An extension of the above deadline for those currently licensed can be granted by the appropriate District President in extreme circumstance, upon consultation with and approval of the President of the Synod.. All the current Synod and District tracks, programs, licensing procedures and the like which train men for Word and Sacrament ministry without benefit of being publicly called to, and placed in, the office of the ministry will be discontinued as soon as possible, but no later than the end of 01, in favor of either the residential programs at our two seminaries or the SMP program.. The Districts in which men currently serve as Licensed Lay Deacons will ensure that these men be provided reasonable assistance in pursuing ordination or finding an alternative vocation. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sherman, IL 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

8 OVERTURE To Appeal to the Synod in a Matter of Doctrinal Discipline WHEREAS, an ordained rostered LCMS pastor publicly has taught false doctrine; and WHEREAS, charges were properly filed with his district president, and Whereas, after a hearing his district president took no action and the pastor continues to publicly teach the false doctrine; and WHEREAS, the LCMS Bylaws appears to have no appeal process when a district president takes no action; therefore be it Resolved, that the CID memorialize the LCMS in the 01 convention to change the bylaws to allow an appeal process when a district president fails to act on false doctrine; and finally be it Resolved, that the CID memorialize the LCMS in the 01 convention to charge the Synodical President to investigate this recent matter and take appropriate action in keeping with the Scripture, Lutheran Confessions, and LCMS constitution and bylaws. Lincoln Circuit Forum OVERTURE To Call the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to Repentance, Implore the Rev. Paul Linnemann to Exercise Ecclesiastical Supervision, and Thank and Encourage President Matthew Harrison Rationale At the recent North Dakota District Convention, Synod President Matthew Harrison was questioned about the status of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker, a rostered and ordained member of the Synod and a professor at Valparaiso University. President Harrison reported to that convention that the results of a complaint filed against Dr. Becker have left him remaining in good standing as a member of the Synod. This was confirmed by Dr. Becker: "The matter of the case against my teaching was terminated by three LCMS circuit counselors from the Great Northwest (whose identities are unknown to me), who acted at the behest of the NW District President. After reviewing all of the available evidence, they concluded that it is perfectly acceptable for an LCMS pastor to make a public argument in favor of the ordination of women to the pastoral office and that such a public argument is not grounds for expulsion from the roster of pastors in the LCMS". ( accessed ) Some days later, President Harrison posted the following to the Witness, Mercy and Life Together blog on the Synod's website, 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

9 "When a public teacher on the roster of Synod can without consequence publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more, then the public confession of the Synod is meaningless. I am saying that if my Synod does not change its inability to call such a person to repentance and remove such a teacher where there is no repentance, then we are liars and our confession is meaningless. I do not want to belong to such a synod, much less lead it. I have no intention of walking away from my vocation. I shall rather use it and, by the grace of God, use all the energy I have to call this Synod to fidelity to correct this situation." ( - accessed ) Dr. Becker filed an official dissent regarding the synod's practice of restricting the office of pastor only to men and from the synod's position of interpreting the first two chapters of Genesis to mean that God created the universe over the course of six twenty four hour days, and that the natural law of evolution must be rejected. The Commission on Theology and Church Relations responded to Dr. Becker's dissent which not only exposed his false teaching on those subjects, but also revealed his rejection of the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures. The Commission wrote, "Dr. Becker's dissent does not provide a sufficient scriptural or confessional basis to support his claim that the doctrinal position of the Synod is in need of revision on the issue of the ordination of women to the pastoral office or on the issue of creation and evolution. The theological basis for the CTCR's determination is the evidence provided in Dr. Becker's essays that he is operating on the basis of an understanding of the authority and interpretation of Scripture that is at odds with the Lutheran Confessions (see, for example, the Preface to The Book of Concord; FC Ep Summary, ; FC SD Summary,, 0; Ap XXIII, 1; Ap VII, ; Ap XII,, etc.) and the scripturally and confessionally-based position of the Synod as set forth in the Brief Statement (see paragraphs 1-) and A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles (see especially "The Infallibility of Scripture" and "Historical Methods of Interpretation"). Statements such as the following in Dr. Becker's essays reflect a view of and approach to Scripture that are clearly incompatible with the Synod's doctrinal position on the authority and interpretation of Holy Scripture", ( lcm&id=1 - accessed ) The Commission quoted Dr. Becker and then responded, "Of course a "figurative" interpretation of Genesis 1- (not to mention the many other passages in Scripture that speak of God as creator, of the world as God's creation, and of the new creation) does entail a revision of the traditional "creationist" manner of articulating the doctrines of creation, anthropology, and sin, and many Christians are deeply uncomfortable with such a prospect. This "discomfort" is at least as great as the discomfort many 1th-Century Christians must have felt in view of the revision to traditional teaching that the Copernican Theory entailed. As then, however, so also now: such modification would not necessarily undermine an orthodox understanding of creation, human beings, sin, and grace. For example, scientific data about the reality of physical death in the animal and plant kingdoms prior to origin of human beings (e.g., fossils of animals that lived long before the origin of human 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

10 beings) must lead those who interpret the Bible in light of scientific knowledge to restate the nature of God's good creation prior to the advent of human sin (e.g., such a good creation must have included the reality of death prior to the existence of human beings) and the character of the historical origin of sin (e.g., the advent of sin is to be traced to the first hominids who disobeyed God's will but not necessarily to their having eaten from a tree in an actual place called the Garden of Eden several thousand years ago). (SLM, 1) Statements such as these by Dr. Becker speak for themselves in conveying his understanding of the authority and interpretation of the Scriptures. As noted above, this understanding is clearly incompatible with the Synod's doctrinal position on the authority and interpretation of Scripture. For this reason, the Commission affirms once again its determination that Dr. Becker has not provided sufficient basis for his claim that the position of the Synod is in need of revision, and expresses once again its conviction that Dr. Becker is in dissent from the position of the Synod not only on the specific issues of the ordination of women to the pastoral office and the issues of creation and evolution, but also on the more foundational position of the Synod on which these positions are based: namely, the authority, infallibility, and faithful interpretation of the Holy Scriptures themselves. The CTCR therefore appeals to Dr. Matthew Becker, by the mercies of God, to reconsider his dissent and to reexamine, on the basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, his positions on the authority of Scripture and the two issues concerning which he has expressed dissent, even as the Synod expects him to honor and uphold the doctrinal positions of the Synod." ( - accessed ) While the CTCR appealed to Dr. Becker by the mercies of God to reconsider his positions on the basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, it is clear by President Harrison's blog post that he has not. In addition to those matters, Dr. Becker contends that the Lutheran Confessions themselves contain theological ambiguity and error, to wit, the Athanasian Creed. As stated by comments on his blog in discussion with two pastors of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, "The Rev. BT Ball February, 01 at :PM Dr. Becker- "Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally...this is the catholic faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved." Do you confess that to be true or not? Pastor Benjamin Ball St. Paul, Hamel, IL Matthew L. Becker February, 01 at :0PM Pr. Ball, The Athanasian Creed errs when it implies that one is saved by a mental work of believing this creed's humanly-devised dogmatic statements "faithfully and firmly." 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

11 No Eastern Orthodox Christian will accept all of the formulations within this historic western creed. Many statements in it need careful clarification. Its conclusion is simply incorrect. The Athanasian Creed muddles the gospel at precisely this point. Pr. H. R. February, 01 at : PM Dr. Becker, Members of our Synod agree to accept the Athanasian Creed "without reservation" (Art. II of our Constitution). We are pretty up front about that and have been for a long time. Perhaps it came up at your ordination. If it didn't (for example, if you wrote your own ordination vows and didn't use the ones in the TLH or LW Agenda), it certainly did when you signed the Constitution. I understand that you have deeply held convictions that run contrary to this Confession of the faith. But I struggle to understand why you continue to put yourself forward as a representative of our Synod when you so clearly do not hold to our Confession on so many weighty issues. It is not as though you are struggling with one or two peripheral issues, unsure of where you stand, or sure the Synod has erred in its stance on life insurance or gambling. You just flat our [sic] deny what we require our ministers to swear to at their ordination. I'll give you this: it's bold. +HRC Matthew L. Becker February, 01 at : PM HRC, I was ordained on July 1, 1. In that service I was asked the following question, among several: Do you accept the three Ecumenical Creeds...as faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and do you reject all the errors which they condemn? I answered affirmatively. The three creeds (only one of which is truly ecumenical) are faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, that is, the doctrinal truth of the Scriptures. I reject the errors that the three creeds condemn. They are faithful witnesses to the doctrinal truth of the Scriptures, but they are not without theological ambiguity and error. Our ordination vow is strictly limited to the doctrinal teaching of the Holy Scriptures, that is, the doctrine of the gospel and all its articles. 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-

12 THAT doctrine of the gospel, the doctrine of faith, is contrary to the kind of legalistic approach to dogma and confessional writings that you and Pr. Ball and other LCMS pastors seem to be asserting. Pastors who serve churches of the Augsburg Confession are not bound to many items that are taught or asserted in the confessional writings. This includes the concluding paragraph of the Athanasian Creed. That paragraph, literally understood, is contrary to the doctrine of the gospel. Our quia vow is to teach in accordance with the doctrinal content of the Holy Scriptures, as that content is exhibited in the historic confessions. I continue to preach and teach in accordance with my ordination vow, and I ask God to help me." ( - accessed ) Dr. Becker has stated regarding homosexuality, "I too affirm the authority of the Scriptures, but the seven biblical texts that are frequently cited on the issue of homosexuality are not directly pertinent to the 1 st-century discussion because some of them condemn specifically homosexual rape, deal with questions of "clean and unclean" that are not normative in the Christian community, do not take into account issues like "sexual orientation," and presuppose that all would agree with a particular interpretation of what "nature" teaches. Both heterosexual and homosexual persons are expected to express sexual intimacy within publicly accountable, lifelong, and monogamous relationships. This has long been the expectation for heterosexual couples, and therefore is an appropriate expectation for homosexual couples as well. I recognize that the unity of the church is based on one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and that within this unity, faithful members may disagree on individual items of theology and Christian ethics." ( - accessed Synod Bylaw.. states, "Each district president, in accordance with the Constitution of the Synod, shall supervise the doctrine, the life, and the official administration on the part of the ordained or commissioned ministers who are members through his district or are subject to his ecclesiastical supervision". As such, the President of the Northwest District of the LCMS, the Rev. Paul Linnemann, is charged with the ecclesiastical supervision of Dr. Becker. While Dr. Becker's public teaching, writing and dissent are publicly known, there is no public evidence that President Linnemann has exhorted Dr. Becker to repentance for his false doctrines. Rather as President Harrison stated in his blog post Dr. Becker is without consequence able to "publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion,communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more." By not fulfilling his responsibility as ecclesiastical supervisor, President Linnemann is not 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

13 assisting the Synod at large with fulfilling its first objective which is to "Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. :-; 1 Cor. 1:), work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 1:1), and heresy", (Article 1.1) but more importantly is not showing Christian love to Dr. Becker by calling a sinner to repentance. WHEREAS, The Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker publicly advocates the ordination of women and has participated vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person, homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more; and WHEREAS, Dr. Becker is a member of the Northwest District of the LCMS under the ecclesiastical supervision of the Rev. Paul Linnemann; and WHEREAS, It is the President of the Synod's duty to see to it that all District Presidents "act in accordance with the Synod's Constitution, to admonish all who in any way depart from it, and, if such admonition is not heeded, to report such cases to the Synod", (Article XI.B.); and WHEREAS, The President of the Synod "has and always shall have the power to advise, admonish, and reprove. He shall conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod", (Article XI.B.); and WHEREAS, We confess, "All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it, you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it." (Large Catechism, th Commandment, para.); and WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (St. Luke :); therefore, let it be Resolved, That the Central Illinois District of the LCMS call the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to repentance of his false and divisive doctrines and that this be communicated to him by the Central Illinois District President; and let it be further Resolved, That the Central Illinois District implore the Rev. Paul Linnemann, President of the Northwest District, to exercise ecclesiastical supervision of Dr. Becker, seek Dr. Becker's repentance for false teaching, and lacking such repentance, begin theprocess of Dr. Becker's expulsion from the Synod in accordance with the Synod'sConstitution and Bylaws, and that this be communicated to the Rev. Linnemann by the Central Illinois District President; and let it be further 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

14 Resolved, That the Central Illinois District encourage President Matthew Harrison to exhort President Linnemann to do his duty for the sake of our common confession of faith and our walking together as members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod; and be it further Resolved, That the President of the Central Illinois District, on behalf of the Central Illinois District, thank President Matthew Harrison and commend him for his faithful leadership of the Synod, and give him such encouragement; and be it finally Resolved, That the Convention Chaplain lead the Convention in prayer for a godly resolution to these matters. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sherman IL Springfield East Circuit Forum Springfield West Circuit Forum OVERTURE To Publicly Call Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to Repentance WHEREAS, Holy Scripture warns, Matthew :1(ESV) Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves; and WHEREAS, Holy Scriptures warns, Romans 1:1-1(ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve; and WHEREAS, Holy Scripture warns, Timothy :-(ESV) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths; and WHEREAS, Holy Scripture declares, Timothy :1-1(ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work; and WHEREAS, the CCM has ruled, While the filing of dissent does not constitute a case for removal, the member is required to teach and practice in accord with Synod s stated confessional position during the dissent process. If the member fails to honor and uphold the stated confessional position of Synod during the dissent process, the member becomes subject to disciplinary action due both to the violation of the doctrinal position of Synod and the offense against the other members of Synod created by such failure (Constitution Art. XIII 1). In such case it is incumbent upon the ecclesiastical supervisor of the member to exercise disciplinary action against the member who fails to teach and act within Synod s stated confessional position, whether apart from or during the dissent process (Bylaws.1.;.1.;.1.); and 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

15 WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker has filed dissent yet continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including woman s ordination, having published articles on his own blog, and on Daystar where he published an article titled A Case for Female Pastors and Theologians in which he states: There is no legitimate biblical or dogmatic rationale for why the LCMS should now prohibit women from serving as theologians and pastors in the church. ( and WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including, participating while vested in the installation of Charlene Rachuy Cox at Valparaiso ( and WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including, acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual marriage, having written on his blog Transverse Markings: One Theologian s Notes titled Further Sign of LCMS Times ( and WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including, promoting a figurative interpretation of Genesis 1 and stating in his post The Scandal of the LCMS Mind Scientific data about the reality of physical death in the animal and plant kingdoms prior to origin of human beings (e.g., fossils of animals that lived long before the origin of human beings) must lead those who interpret the Bible in light of scientific knowledge to restate the nature of God s good creation prior to the advent of human sin (e.g., such a good creation must have included the reality of death prior to the existence of human beings) and the character of the historical origin of sin (e.g., the advent of sin is to be traced to the first hominids who disobeyed God s will but not necessarily to their having eaten from a tree in an actual place called the Garden of Eden several thousand years). ( and WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker has stated that he has three goals for the LCMS all of which are contrary to the Scriptures and the positions of Synod: ( 1. to encourage members within the synod to think differently about two issues, namely, (a) the synod s understanding of Scripture that insists that only qualified men may serve as pastor in the synod; and (b) the synod s understanding of Scripture that requires one to interpret the creation accounts in Genesis to be literal, historical descriptions of what God did in the not-toodistant past over the course of six actual -hr. days ( six-day creationism );. to have the synod change its position that restricts the office of pastor only to men;. to have the synod reject creationism in favor of a more robust doctrine of creation, one that sets forth a theological understanding that better accords with the language and genre of these Genesis texts and that better accords with what people today know to be true and valid about the natural history of our planet; and WHEREAS, President Matt Harrison stated on Witness, Mercy, Life Together blog ( ), 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

16 When a public teacher on the roster of Synod can without consequence publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more, then the public confession of the Synod is meaningless. I am saying that if my Synod does not change its inability to call such a person to repentance and remove such a teacher where there is no repentance, then we are liars and our confession is meaningless. I do not want to belong to such a synod, much less lead it. I have no intention of walking away from my vocation. I shall rather use it and, by the grace of God, use all the energy I have to call this Synod to fidelity to correct this situation; therefore, be it Resolved, that Trinity Lutheran Church Roanoke, Illinois a member church of the Central Illinois District of the LCMS, encourage the Central Illinois District of the LCMS in convention to encourage the LCMS in convention to publicly call Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to repent and recant or remove him from the clergy roster of Synod. Trinity, Roanoke, IL OVERTURE To Study the Process for Expulsion of a Member of Synod for the Public Teaching of False Doctrine WHEREAS, the Synod s bylaws have proven ineffective in expelling open and manifest heretics from our midst; and WHEREAS, Luther writes, God s people or holy Christians are recognized by the office of the keys exercised publicly. That is, as Christ decrees in Matthew 1 if a Christian sins, he should be reproved; and if he does not mend his ways, he should be bound in his sin and cast out (AE 1:1); and WHEREAS, member congregations of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod should be able to call any rostered member of Synod with the confidence that they will perform their duties in accord with the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions; be it therefore Resolved, that the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod memorialize the 01 convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to direct the President of Synod to appoint a Blue Ribbon Task Force comprised of one professor from each seminary, two district presidents, one parish pastor, one commissioned minister, and three laypersons (one of whom shall be an attorney) to study this problem and propose such amendments to the bylaws of Synod to the 01 Synodical Convention as shall remedy the issue. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sherman, IL Springfield East Circuit Forum Springfield West Circuit Forum 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

17 OVERTURE To Encourage Changes in the Synodical Dispute Resolution Procedures WHEREAS, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker, a clergy member on the official roster of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) has recently been exonerated of false teaching by a dispute resolution team in the Pacific Northwest District of the LCMS; and WHEREAS, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker has publicly written, Left unexamined are those contemporary theological arguments that take into account the possibility that a small percentage of human beings, like other beings in the animal world, have been created with a genetic predisposition toward homosexuality and that one could live as a faithful and authentic Christian with in a lifelong, committed homosexual union. (Becker, Matthew The Creator s Tapestry; Review Article, and WHEREAS, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker has been publicly witnessed and photographed ordaining a woman into the office of the holy ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a church body with which the LCMS is not in fellowship ( and WHEREAS, LCMS President Matthew Harrison has made the following statement: When a public teacher on the roster of Synod can without consequence publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historicalcritical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more, then the public confession of the Synod is meaningless. I am saying that if my Synod does not change its inability to call such a person to repentance and remove such a teacher where there is no repentance, then we are liars and our confession is meaningless. I do not want to belong to such a synod, much less lead it. I have no intention of walking away from my vocation. I shall rather use it and, by the grace of God, use all the energy I have to call this Synod to fidelity to correct this situation. ( and WHEREAS, Article III.1 Objectives of the Constitution of the LCMS says, The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, shall conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph :-; 1 Cor.1:), work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom 1:1), and heresy; and WHEREAS, the current exoneration of Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker concerns public false teaching and open defense of doctrine that is contrary to Article II of the constitution of the LCMS; therefore be it Resolved, that Trinity Lutheran Church Roanoke, Illinois, a member church of the Central Illinois District of LCMS, encourage the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

18 convention to encourage the 01 Synodical Convention of Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to form a task force to examine the current by-laws governing the dispute resolution process of the LCMS; and be it finally Resolved, That the task force formed at the 01 Synodical Convention report back to the 01 Convention of the LCMS with recommended changes to the dispute resolution procedures of the LCMS that allow for clear biblical and confessional standards to deal in Christian love with those who openly teach contrary to Article II of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod s constitution. Trinity Lutheran Church Roanoke, IL OVERTURE To Request the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Draft Doctrinal Statements WHEREAS, There is sharp disagreement within The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod over a number of doctrinal matters; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) has the authority to submit Doctrinal Statements (as defined by LCMS Bylaw 1..(b)) to the Synod in convention for further consideration and possible adoption by majority vote (LCMS Bylaw 1.. (b) ()); and WHEREAS, A District Convention may submit a proposal for the development of doctrinal statements to the CTCR (LCMS Bylaw 1.. (b) (1)); therefore be it Resolved, That the Central Illinois District in Convention request the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to develop Doctrinal Statements on the following topics: The Male-Only Pastorate; The Six Days of Creation; The Necessity of a Call and Ordination for the Exercise of the Functions of the Pastoral Office; and be it finally Resolved, That the Central Illinois District in Convention request the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to submit these doctrinal statements to the 01 convention of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for further consideration and possible adoption pursuant to LCMS Bylaw 1..(b)()ff. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sherman IL Springfield East Circuit Forum Springfield West Circuit Forum 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

19 1 1 1 OVERTURE To Adopt Revised CID Handbook for 01 WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod adopted changes to its constitution and bylaws at the 01 Convention, which is cause for the Central Illinois District to change its Handbook; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters made other changes and updates to the CID 01 Handbook; therefore be it Resolved, That the Central Illinois District adopt the following as the CID Handbook for 01 as it has been revised. 01 Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1

20 CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT HANDBOOK THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD North Grand Avenue West Springfield, IL Revised August 01 Revised in accord with CCM suggestions, May Convention Section E Overtures Page E-0

21 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION... iii CONSTITUTION... v BYLAWS... 1 I. MEMBERSHIP... 1 II. ADMINISTRATION... 1 A. Officers, Boards, Commissions, Committees... 1 B. The President of the District... C. The Vice-Presidents of the District... D. The Secretary of the District... E. The Treasurer of the District... F. The Financial Secretary of the District... G. The Board of Directors of the District... H. Staff... I. Other Committees... 1 J. Regulations Governing Nominations & Elections... 1 III. CIRCUIT OFFICIALS... 1 A. The Circuit Counselors Visitors... 1 B. The Circuit Lay-Delegate... 1 IV. DISPUTE RESOLUTION...1 V. EVANGELISM... 1 VI. CONGREGATIONAL LIFE... 1 VII. EDUCATION SERVICES... 0 VIII. MISSIONS... 1 IX. FINANCES... X. STEWARDSHIP... Student Aid... XI. COMMUNICATION SERVICES... XII. SPECIAL MINISTRIES... The Archivist... XIII. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS Convention Section E Overtures Page E-1