RESOLUTION 5-03
Overture 5-03(CW, p. 343)
WHEREAS, In 1986, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Board for Mission Services (BFMS) for all intents and purposes turned over the Synod’s property and mission in Guatemala to its indigenous Lutheran church, the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala (“The Lutheran Church in Guatemala”); and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned action by the BFMS for all practical purposes established Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala as a self-governing partner church; and
WHEREAS, For the entire time period since the aforementioned action by the BFMS, the Synod has in practice effectively interacted with and recognized Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala as a self-governing partner church, despite the fact that the Synod did not formally confer this status upon Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala by a convention resolution; and
Whereas, Rev. Abdiel Orozco, President of the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala, in conversations with the Synod leadership and in a Nov. 4, 2015, letter addressed to the director of church relations, has confirmed the church’s desire to have this oversight rectified and to receive formal recognition of its status as a self-governing partner church under LCMS Bylaws; and
WHEREAS, The Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala has committed itself to be faithful to the inerrant Scriptures and has subscribed without reservation to the writings of the Book of Concord; and
WHEREAS, The Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala seeks in every way to be and remain a scripturally faithful, confessional Lutheran church body; and
WHEREAS, 2013 Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d) states:
When a mission of the Synod applies for formal recognition as a self-governing partner church, such recognition shall be proposed at convention of the Synod by the Board for International Mission with the approval of the commission [Commission on Theology and Church Relations]. and
WHEREAS, In compliance with 2013 Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d), the Board for International Mission has requested and received the approval of the CTCR to propose to the 2016 LCMS convention that the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala be recognized as a self-governing partner church; and
WHEREAS, Appropriate protocol documents guiding interactions between the LCMS and the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala have been developed; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS formally recognize the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala as a self-governing partner church; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for the efforts of its missionaries and Guatemalan national pastors of the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks that God, by His grace, has equipped and prepared the members of the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in Guatemala; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks for the growth of this former “daughter church” of the LCMS and its ongoing vitality as a self-governing Lutheran church body; 1 and be it further
Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; 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 Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala; and be it finally
Resolved, That in celebration and thanksgiving of this partnership in the Gospel, the 2016 LCMS convention assembly signify its approval by rising and singing the Common Doxology.