Convention rejects change of translation for new hymnal catechism

ST. LOUIS–By a narrow vote of 580 to 585, delegates to the 62nd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Monday (July 12) defeated a resolution that would have changed the Bible translation of Scripture passages in Luther’s Small Catechism in Lutheran Service Book, the proposed new hymnal.

The Synod’s Commission on Worship proposed use of the English Standard Version (ESV) for Scripture passages in the catechism. The current hymnal, Lutheran Worship, includes a catechism that has Scripture from the New International Version (NIV).

The worship commission also proposes that the ESV be used for the Psalms in the new hymnal. The convention will be asked to approve the new hymnal later in the week.

In other action on resolutions offered by the floor committee for district and congregational services, delegates yesterday approved a bylaw change so that three of the four pastors and commissioned members on the eight-member LCMS Board for District and Congregational Services must be in congregation-based ministries. The change eliminates “at-large” members on the board.

Posted July 13, 2004