What does it really mean to be Synod?

Is everyone who calls themselves members of the LCA genuinely a part of Synod? 

In response, let’s say, for example, I was a member of a Lutheran church that was making a special emphasis on the doctrine of baptism, with sermons, bible study etc. I discuss this with a friend who is a Baptist and I study the Scriptures earnestly and pray and I just can’t see how the Lutherans maintain their teaching. In my heart I come to hold a Baptist view of baptism. I’m still worshipping in a Lutheran Church because that’s where I’ve grown up and my friends are there. But every time there’s a Baptism my blood begins to boil quietly inside and I seethe at the thought of the false hope that’s being given to the family who actually thinks their baby now has saving faith.  What should I do? Can I remain in good conscience and turn a blind eye to such false teaching? Would that honour God? I might find that I have to renounce the church that so flagrantly teaches falsely, and join a church in which my conscience is at ease because it has what I now consider to be a God-pleasing doctrine and practice of baptism.....Am I living synodically if I am in the Lutheran church while holding such views? Obviously not! I may not be an enemy of the people with whom I worship but I am certainly not "walking the same path" of their church.

It seems to me that being synod has to do with adherence to the same dogma as that of the church and not merely occupying physical space under the same roof. People need to discover whether their heart belongs in the church or not, ie whether the dogma of the church coincides with their personal conviction. This doesn't require agreement on every single point - that might lead to a synod of one! But it should at least mean that the basis of synod is the public confession of the church - no need for unilateral behaviour because we have the agreed statements. The unilateral behaviour actually belongs to those who would see the church abandon its dogma in favour of what they want to peddle.

But lately a view of synod has been advanced that separates being synod from the dogma. People can hold things quite contrary to the agreed statements (communio, joint prayer, WO, Church Growth theology, etc) and yet claim legitimacy for their voice by crying "synod"! Even some who are entrusted with maintaining synod (pastors, seminary lecturers, District Presidents etc) have propagated such contrary views. In my observation some of those shouting "Synod, Synod" most loudly have actually done more to destroy unity in the church under a common confession than preserve it! When theological dissent is expressed with the church's public doctrine, synod is eroded and weakened. Instead, we have seen claims of being synod used as a means to foster such dissent. Synod means walking together, not walking as though we were together.

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