# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S813
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES . 257

ACTION
Upon recommendation of Committee 1 Synod passed the fol-
lowing resolution: i.
Wuereas, The Synodical Conference (in which the constituent
Syonds have for many years carried on colored mission work) has .
been in close touch with the question of colored integration; and . 4

Wuereas, After due deliberation, the Synodical Conference
proposes a solution of this question which is in harmony with the
constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, q
and Other States; therefore be it f

Resolved, That the resolutions of the Synodical Conference be
adopted, which read:

“Wuereas, It has been and still is the policy of the constituent
Synods of the Synodical Conference and their respective Districts
to receive into membership any congregation, together with their
_ pastors and teachers in good standing and duly released,

“We believe it to be within the rights and privileges also of our i

Negro churches, pastors, and teachers in good standing and under

the jurisdiction of the General Board to apply for membership with ‘

a given Synod or a District affiliated with the Synodical Confer-

ype ence; and

“We believe it to be within the rights of the constituent Synods

(or their Districts) to receive such applicants in good standing into
membership within their District and Synod after they have been

duly released by the General Board. i

“We furthermore recommend that congregations, both white
and Negro, exercise discretion, wisdom, and love in putting this ‘4
plan into operation.” i

“In harmony with the spirit of this resolution we recommend
that in event an application for membership is made to the Synod,
then such application shall be referred for action to the District
concerned.”

Be it further resolved, That, guided by the same evangelical
principles, the enrollment of colored students in our synodical in-
stitutions be left in the hands of the respective Boards of Control,
who will exercise discretion, wisdom, and love in their action.
Likewise for the smooth and effective operation of this provision,
all other synodical boards will act in harmony with this policy.

This also disposed of Unprinted Memorial 5 from the Ladies’
Aid of Zion Church, Birmingham, Ala.: “Re Colored Congre-
gations.”

Proceedings, 1947 17