President’s Message August 2012

Dear Members and Friends of our ELS:
A small but significant resolution was adopted by our synod at the June convention. The resolution stated, “That we accept the report of the CEW as the answer to the 2010 convention resolution and thank the committee for its work.” The resolution referred to the work of the Committee on ELS Worship (CEW), a six-member panel appointed by the president that first reported to the General Pastoral Conference (GPC) in 2011. The committee dealt with questions that arose in connection with the following: 1) The synod from its earliest days sought unity of liturgical form by its member congregations; 2) Liturgical forms are to be orthodox; 3) There is confusion regarding the meaning and application of Bylaw Chapter I of the 1986 ELS Constitution.
The final point refers to a rubric whereby “the Synod recommends to its congregations that they use the Order of Worship based on the Danish-Norwegian liturgy of 1685, or the Common Order of Worship, as each congregation may decide.” This resolution from the convention encourages congregations to engage in a careful and thoughtful evaluation of the bylaw and its underlying theological principles (good Law/Gospel emphasis, sacramental reverence, etc.).
In accepting the report originally presented to the GPC (and unanimously received by the same), the convention noted “the Christian freedom that is acknowledged in this report.” In other words, worship forms based on or derived from the recommended orders of worship—even if not precisely reproduced—are expected to retain in a “clearly recognizable way” these three biblically-based features of Lutheran worship (i.e., the concluding summary of the CEW’s report): 1) Conserving and testifying to “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), setting forth unambiguously the changeless Gospel of Christ; 2) Establishing a framework for a clear proclamation of the Gospel and a reverent administration of the Sacraments; 3) Serving a proper catechetical purpose, instructing people and also guiding in prayer, so that they are led to desire all the more the blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
We know that no humanly-devised ceremonies or liturgies may ever be imposed in order for sinners to receive justification for salvation. All is completed only and always in the atoning work of our crucified and risen Savior. Yet, as a synod, we can expect to encourage one another for the sake of solid Lutheran doctrine and unity to treasure and to use worship forms in line with that above.
Rev. John A. Moldstad, ELS President