LCMS recognizes broken fellowship with Japan Lutheran Church

LCMS Iowa District East President Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders speaks with the Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, executive director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, during discussion of Resolution 5-07 on July 31 at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Milwaukee. (LCMS/Frank P. Kohn)

By Roy S. Askins

MILWAUKEE — For only the second time in the history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), delegates recognized that fellowship with another church body has been broken by false doctrine and practice. On July 31, the delegates of the 68th Regular Convention of the LCMS recognized the end of fellowship with the Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) by a majority vote of 94.49%.

“What are the theological consequences of false doctrine?” said the Rev. Dr. Brian P. Saunders, LCMS Iowa District East president and chairman of Floor Committee (FC) 5 on Theology and Church Relations. “That is a population of people being taught contrary to the Word of God. … False doctrine has never taken anyone to heaven.”

The particular issues related to the breaking of fellowship pertain to the doctrine and practice of the Office of the Holy Ministry and the practice of Communion and fellowship. The JLC has ordained two female deacons and consistently taught and practiced open Communion.

Furthermore, at its 2021 convention, the church body removed the word “male” as a prerequisite for the Office of the Holy Ministry from its constitution. On June 4, 2021, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison received a letter from newly elected JLC President Tatsuomi Yoshida notifying the LCMS of the change.

In a subsequent letter dated July 9, 2021, Harrison wrote to the JLC with a “heavy heart,” indicating that “the JLC’s changed confession of faith … has broken the God-given unity of the faith once celebrated by our church bodies.”

In the presentation of Resolution 5-07, Saunders read the resolution in full due to its gravity. (Read the full resolution on Pages 119–121 of the first issue of Today’s Business.)

The preamble to the resolution does not mince words. It notes the lack of clarity from the LCMS early on in the history of the JLC regarding the Office of the Ministry. It also notes the early failures of the LCMS to engage the JLC as they contemplated the practice of such divisive doctrines.

The preamble also summarizes the later efforts undertaken by the LCMS to correct the errors, beginning in 2008 with the Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS president emeritus. Since then, a number of theological discussions and meetings between the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) and the JLC have taken place, but without effect.

“We did yeoman’s work in the past 15 years of trying to keep the Japan Lutheran Church from going down the path of multiple false doctrines,” said Saunders. “Our efforts were not heeded and, as a result, they have now publicly made their confession that is contrary to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. They have broken fellowship with us.”

After a unanimous vote to recognize broken fellowship, the Rev. Matthew Moss, pastoral delegate from the LCMS Minnesota South District, requested the delegates stand in prayer. Saunders prayed not only for the return of the JLC to biblical doctrine and practice, but also that the LCMS be ready gratefully and joyously to reestablish fellowship with the JLC should they so return.

In this same session, FC 5 also put Res. 5-06 before the delegates. This resolution simplifies and clarifies the routes to altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS.

Res. 5-06 passed unanimously.

Posted July 31, 2023