A Convention Wrap-Up (Part 2)
In the midst of the elections and the resolutions happening on the convention floor, one problematic refrain was heard over and over again. And no. I’m not talking about “Point of order!” “Microphone 5, what rule have we broken?” The repeated refrain was the basis of nearly every argument made by those in opposition to the resolutions concerning Concordia Texas. It was made by those in support of adding even more routes to pastoral training (which is heading toward wanting Synod to allow pastors to “self-ordain” their own men). The refrain was the argument used by the divisive, sectarian group “Lutherans for Racial Justice” who oppose condemning CRT, DEI, and the like. You will hear this phrase of which I speak if you dare to trudge through the convention videos—especially late in the week.
“We need to do what’s good for the individual.”
This is the same mindset of those who use the word “context” every other word. That word was used from the floor more often than a valley girl uses the word “like.” If you were to have taken a sip of your beverage of choice every time “context” was said, you’d fall to the floor in a matter of minutes!
The problem with that kind of language lies simply in that we are the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod! Synod still means “walking together.” We cannot be Synod when everyone is doing whatever they feel their “context” demands. If someone wants to do what’s good for the individual, he can certainly do that. He simply can’t do it at the same time he confesses to be part of Synod.
Now, I’ll spare you every time the phrase above was said, but if I recall correctly, the first time it was said was in the debate over 7-03 (calling CTX to repentance). At one point, an advisory delegate came from the back to his assigned microphone and made the case that CTX needed to do what was good for the individual. This is not demonstrating what it means to be Synod. It is not a witness to what it means to be the Church. Instead, to use the language of the Holy Scriptures, it is a confession and aligning oneself with the worldview of Judges 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” To paraphrase: everyone did what was “good for the individual.” Everyone did what they wanted according to “their context.” Read further in Judges and into I Samuel to see how that worked out for them!
If we are to truly be the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we must stop thinking about what is “good for the individual.” Thoughts of a person’s “context” and what works “for them” need to be set aside for the good of the Church. We all hold to the Scriptures and the Confessions. In them, Christ crucified is central and the place He exists for us even today as the crucified One (Mark 16:6) isn’t on a social justice tour. He’s not existing in different places in different ways according to what works best for the individual. He isn’t running amok in neighborhoods or wherever we want Him to be, but He is instead where He has promised to be in the Word rightly preached and centrally located upon the altar in the bread and wine.
This is the treasure Gottesdienst has been bringing and seeks to continue to bring to our beloved Synod and beyond. The Divine Liturgy goes beyond “your context” and “my context.” It transgresses what is only good for me. It in itself is its own culture that surpasses whatever “is good” for the 21st century United States. It works whether you live in California, New York, Wyoming, or Alabama. Dare I say the same thing works even among our brethren in Africa, India, and elsewhere in the world! You may be skeptical of that truth, but ultimately, the skepticism comes from a lack of knowledge about what is happening in the Divine Liturgy and a lack of trust in the Word of God.
In this triennium, it is my prayer that pastors and congregations remain faithful in their practice and that those who might have lost this great treasure would return to it and would once again walk together as the Synod from the altar and then into the world. The peace of God be with you.