The Chemnitz Conference is not a typical free conference. As much value as there may be in the traditional conference format, it is not our intent to provide a venue for airing grievances, or merely describing the errors and controversies in our midst.

The only way to unity in the Lutheran Church is to confess the truth of Scripture without compromise. In the present day we are confronting a concretion of errors in doctrine and practice that no political process can resolve. Therefore we are following in the footsteps of our Lutheran fathers, and are taking up the daunting task of writing a new confession which directly addresses the present controversies among us, following the model of the Formula of Concord.

Each conference will address one subject, and from the work done at the conference we will compile and refine an article of doctrine to address the controverted subject.

Our first topic is Ecclesiology. How is the Church to be governed, both within the local congregation, and among the Church at large?

First Day:

Each speaker will present a paper and a proposed confessional article on the same topic: Ecclesiology, and the Scriptural boundaries of church government.

Speakers are asked to, at minimum, address the following points:

• What are the implicit and explicit scriptural boundaries of church polity?

• From whence does ecclesiastical authority derive, and what are its limits?

• What polity can survive if synods break down, particularly in time of persecution?

• What polity can protect and uphold the office of the ministry?

• What limits should be put into place to protect from the abuse of monetary and other levers of power?

In addition, each presenter is asked to address any points of disagreement on this topic among confessional Lutherans, whether real or perceived.

Second Day:

The second day will be a moderated working session in which all speakers will work toward a combined confessional statement. If this cannot be achieved, we will agree upon a State of the Controversy document, which accurately describes the points of disagreement to all parties’ satisfaction. All male conference attendees will be able to ask questions or offer input.

Continuing work:

The proceedings of the second day will become the basis of further work. God willing, this will be a draft confessional article. The Chemnitz Forum will take this work and refine it further. We will consult with confessional theologians whom we will ask to comment on the article and suggest improvements. We will then present a draft of the article on its website for public comment. Our goal is to present each article in its final form, prior to the next conference.