# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S829
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

244 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

souri Synod in the light of the Declaration of the Commissioners
the American Lutheran Church as a basis for pulpit and altar fe
lowship; and

“WHEREAS, Though these documents — the Pittsburgh Agre
ment on the one hand, and the Brief Statement and Declaration on
the other — differ in wording, yet both express the true positio
of the American Lutheran Church; and

“WHEREAS, The United Lutheran Church in America has’
adopted the Pittsburgh Agreement; and the Declaration of o
Commissioners in connection with the Brief Statement has foun
acceptance within the Missouri Synod and was proposed by th
intersynodical commissioners of the Missouri Synod as an integra
part of the doctrinal basis for future church fellowship; and

“Wuereas, To our regret fellowship has not resulted since. ap:
parently in both bodies there are large and influential groups in
disagreement, therewith: therefore be it

early date; and therefore, that the Commission on Lutheran Unity
be continued.”

It will be noticed that in these resolutions no recognition is ¥
given to the request of the Missouri Synod that one common docu-
ment setting forth the doctrinal position held jointly by both bodies “
be prepared. There is expressed, moreover, the view that as far
as doctrinal agreements are concerned, the only document the
U.L.C: A. would have to adopt to come into fellowship with the
A.L.C. would be the Pittsburgh Agreement. The removal of oh-
stacles is mentioned as a requisite, but assent to the Declaration
or the Brief Statement is not referred to as necessary,

Here there is a difficulty. According to our conviction, in the
Missouri Synod quite generally the view is held that the Pittsburgh
Agreement is inadequate as a document on which the synods here’
in America can unite. On this point the Missouri Synod and the
American Lutheran Church do not see eye to eye. , .

The meeting held by the commissioners of the American Lu:
theran Church and the Missouri Synod on February 12, 1943, un
fortunately was very brief. There was not much time for delibera:
tions, the meeting lasting but half a day. The discussion was of.
a general nature, and no resolution pertaining to the elaboration o:
one common document was passed. It was resolved to meet again.’