WHEREAS, To the Montana District convention in 2006 the Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick indicated that he was unaware of any congregations in the Missouri Synod practicing open communion: therefore be it

Resolved, That all the delegates from congregations that practice open communion raise their hands.

The above is an actual resolution to our Synodical convention in Houston this coming July. At first, I thought it was ridiculous and a waste of paper. Then after thinking about it, I laughed and thought convention delegates should pass it. Why?

The Missouri Synod practices close(d) communion, which in effect means that all who come forward to the altar to receive the Lord’s body and blood have as their core belief the understanding of what we LC-MSers doctrinally pronounce in the Lord’s Supper. Anything more or less will not suffice. You must believe what our doctrine says. Belief in doctrine brings unity to the Lutheran Church.

This is the policy of the Missouri Synod. It is the practice of our Saint Matthew’s, a congregation in the LC-MS. It should be the practice of every single church who is in fellowship with the Missouri Synod. If not, then the individual church has to think twice about whether confessional Lutheranism is for them.

I say the convention should adopt this resolution (which it won’t; it probably won’t even get to the floor). Then when it comes to the “raising hands” provision, the church in convention should be united and keep their hands down. If there is one hand that shoots up, then maybe we pastors need to teach exactly what we believe as Lutherans when it comes to the Lord’s Supper.