District Conventions Can United Us

By Bruce A. Cameron

      LCMS Districts convene in 2006, starting in January. Synod meets in July 2007. Whatever you may think of District and Synod Conventions, they give us opportunities to seek out the things that will draw us together as Christ’s people and unite us in carrying out His mission.

 Focus on Jesus: “Lift every voice . .  and sing!”

      If we are not talking about Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, then we’re off the subject. This year, we have a rich resource for receiving Christ’s gifts and celebrating His goodness. Bring out the services and hymns of next fall’s Lutheran Service Book. Join in several settings of the Divine Service. Call in the best preachers, organists, praise bands and Gospel choirs. In the last 15 years, we have produced Spanish, Hmong and (most recently) Chinese hymnals. Celebrate the continuation of Pentecost among us.

 Focus on Missions: “Blaze where you are!”

      One of the most positive and realistic ways a District Convention can spend its time is to focus on the actual mission work being done within and supported by the District. How can congregations best support each other in the mission outreach of every parish and school? How can we best support the work we do together as a District, throughout the world as a Synod, and in partnership with our sister churches around the globe?

 Focus on the Truth: “Omit needless words!”

      When issues build up in a family or congregation, it is important that we pick our words carefully, speaking to one another in ways that will preserve and build up relationships. The same is true of a District or Synod. Where we have differences with fellow Christians, we can together bring these differences to our one Lord. When we rely on His guidance, we can speak His truth in ways that convey His love.

      Some issues among us have been building for some time. We are not all in agreement on questions of worship, the role of pastor and laypeople, the details of close communion, the role of women in the church or the Christian’s place in public events. None of these will be brought to a peaceful and God-pleasing conclusion (as to what is required and what is permitted) unless we are able to talk with each other and actually listen to each other. If we are making our decisions on the basis of God’s Word, we need to find out what each of us is hearing from God’s Word.

 A Needed Caution Lest We Kill our Synod

      Too often at District and Synod Conventions, delegates must listen to speeches and discuss resolutions that attack a caricature or a slogan that no one would accept as a description of his own position. That’s because people are speaking who have not listened. (It goes without saying that until we are able to describe another person’s position—even one we disagree with—in terms the other person will recognize, we are not ready to say anything about that person’s position.)

      To state a false or unfair description of the other’s position—or worse, to pass a resolution attacking that supposed position—is a failure of fairness, a sin against honesty and love. It builds nothing and increases polarization. At a District Convention a quarter century ago, the District President cautioned us against applause after speeches and votes. Such applause wins no one over; it only hardens the division. We need that caution now.

      The malady goes even deeper than questions of accuracy or fairness. Do we really think we can address theological and church-life questions using political means? Think of a resolution that attacks (or defends) “your side” of an issue. What will be the effect of passing or defeating that resolution? Will it change what you do or don’t do? Either way, a significant portion of the delegates will go home unhappy, polarized, even embittered. Nothing changes.

      And by this process we are killing ourselves as a Synod.

 A Modest Proposal

      What would it hurt if a District were to determine what elections, budget proposals and business resolutions had to be acted upon and, in Convention, spent half a day doing what absolutely had to be done—and then spent the rest of the Convention talking with each other, actually letting the people on one side of the issues explain what they wanted the other side to understand, and then, in turn, actually listened to the other side?

      Could we bring in the people who have been standing outside the meetings in the hallways or walking away from worship services and begin the process of restoring them to the community? It would mean listening to them, giving them a chance to be heard and understood. It would mean loving them, going a mile farther than we might otherwise be inclined. In the end, we could provide a chance for everyone to know that they were heard, as well as a chance for everyone to hear and to understand.

How to Heal Rather than Harm

      Restoring broken relationships takes care and prayer. If something will not help the process, it needs to be put out of the room. “Attack” resolutions at recent Conventions do us no honor and no good. They harm, not heal, and should be put out of the room—if not by a motion to “suspend the orders of the day,” then by an immediate readiness to table any resolution that does not help to build us together as one people with one message from one Lord.

      We do not go into the work of healing and moving forward alone. We have a wonderful and living Lord. His Word carries amazing power to enlighten and to unify. His Spirit is among us to change and to heal.

      The 2006 District Conventions provide us a great opportunity. May our merciful Lord gives us the grace to go toward the open door that He is placing in front of us!