RESOLUTION 5-01
Overture 5-01 (CW, pp. 341–342)
Preamble
Christianity came to Norway around AD 1000 and became the dominant religion by the 12th century. The 16th12 century Reformation had a profound effect on the church in Norway, leading it to sever its ties with Rome. The Lutheran church became the state church of Norway. (To this day the “state” or “peoples’ church” continues to receive state support.) In subsequent centuries, Norwegian Lutherans were noted for deep piety and energetic work in missions. The second half of the 20th century, however, marked significant change for the Norwegian state church, most notably an undermining of biblical authority, growing tolerance of theological innovation and false doctrine, growing rejection of Christian moral teachings (e.g., on abortion, sexual behavior), a marked decline of church attendance among the laity, and the decline of mission. In the 21st century, the decay of Norwegian Christianity has become only more evident. Regular church attendance is now below 3% of population, leading to baptism of infants dropping significantly. The Church of Norway itself tolerated departures from biblical teaching and practice, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, universalism, and so forth.
Despite such decline, there are faithful Christians in Norway. One example is The Lutheran Church in Norway (LCN). The LCN is a small, emerging, strongly confessional Lutheran church (presently with three congregations) that is independent of state support. It upholds the complete authority and inerrancy of Holy Scripture and clearly articulates and practices the truth that Christ alone is the world’s Savior from sin, death, and hell. As has been the practice among Scandinavian Lutherans, it subscribes to the three ecumenical creeds, the Small Catechism, and the Augsburg Confession, with the Book of Concord as authoritative for interpreting these documents. The LCN’s purpose is to plant and guide congregations in the true faith.
Its commitment to the Gospel and the Holy Scriptures, and the Confessions, led the LCN, under the leadership of Rev. Torkild Masvie, to request fellowship with the LCMS on March 3, 2011. Doctrinal discussions began in July of that same year, according to the provisions of Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c). Following these visits and discussions (which included LCMS representatives Dr. Albert Collver, Rev. Dan Gilbert, Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, and Rev. Daniel Preus), on May 16, 2014, the CTCR recommended a recognition of fellowship with the LCN to President Harrison and he declared the same on November 7, 2014. A protocol agreement between the two churches was signed on March 7, 2015. On January 17, 2016, Rev. Torkild Masvie was formally installed as Provisional Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Norway at the first official convention of the LCN.
WHEREAS, There is a severe decline of biblical and confessional teaching and life among Norwegian Christianity; and
WHEREAS, By God’s grace, the LCN traces its history to the Lutheran Reformation’s acceptance in Norway and continues to believe, teach, and confess the saving Gospel of justification by grace through faith in Christ alone and is fully committed to the sole authority of Holy Scripture in the church’s teaching and life; and
WHEREAS, By God’s grace, the LCN boldly proclaims God’s holy Law and His saving Gospel, seeking to uphold the scriptural truth about abortion, abortifacients, and same-sex marriage, while promoting the glorious truth of Christ’s saving work for all the world; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), in obedience to God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions, enjoys church fellowship with many other Lutheran churches throughout the world and endeavors to seek out other Lutheran churches that believe, teach, and confess the same true faith; and
WHEREAS, The LCN has for several years enjoyed altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, a partner church 1 of the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, While living in the United States, the Rev. Torkild Masvie (now bishop of LCN) was a member of an LCMS congregation for three years, and LCN leaders and pastors have enjoyed a working relationship in theological education with numerous LCMS leaders, teachers, and lecturers; and
WHEREAS, The LCN was established as an independent Lutheran church in 2006 and subsequently requested formal church fellowship discussions with the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, Representatives of the LCMS conducted several formal visits to the LCN, and LCN representatives have, in turn, visited the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, After visits, correspondence, and thorough consideration, the LCMS representatives concluded that there is complete agreement between our two churches in doctrine and practice and therefore no obstacle to altar and pulpit fellowship; and
WHEREAS, At its 2010 Convention the Synod adopted Res. 3-04A “To Amend Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 re Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Small, Formative, or Emerging Confessional Churches,” which recognizes that in certain cases a streamlined approach to altar and pulpit fellowship with such emerging churches would be beneficial; and
WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c) now provides:
When a small, formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified as such by the President of the Synod as chief ecumenical officer) requests recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission, such recognition may be declared by the President of the Synod subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention.”
and
WHEREAS, At its May 2014 meeting the CTCR formally recommended church fellowship with the LCN to the President of Synod; and
WHEREAS, President Harrison declared fellowship on November 7, 2014, after consultation with the Praesidium; and
WHEREAS, Necessary protocol documents guiding interactions between the LCMS and the LCN have been adopted; therefore be it
Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to the LCMS and the LCN under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks that, despite significant cultural and ecclesial challenges, God, by His grace, has equipped and prepared the LCN to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in Norway; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks to God that doctrinal discussions between official representatives of the LCMS and the LCN have revealed that complete agreement exists between our two churches in doctrine and practice; and be it further
Resolved, That this convention endorse the Synod President’s declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCMS and the LCN; and be it further
Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years on our agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as partner churches, and for the blessing of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the Lutheran Church of Norway; and be it finally
Resolved, That in celebration and thanksgiving of this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly signify its approval by rising and singing 1 the Common Doxology.