# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S532
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

5382 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

Refer Vote on N. L. C. Membership
and Doctrinal Affirmation to Congregations
(Memorial 627)

The voting members of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior,
Norwood, Ohio, the Rev. Emil C. F. Hartmann, pastor, at a regular
meeting, duly assembled, on November 4, 1946, passed the following
resolution and instructed the writer to forward it to your body.

Wuergas, There is evidence at hand that the present system
of delegate representation and voting at Synod does not always
reflect the wishes and decision of the individual congregations
represented by the delegates in attendance, or the majority of
congregations in Synod (to wit, the recent proposed change in
the name of Synod);

And since two vitally important matters will probably be
decided upon in this convention, namely, membership in the
National Lutheran Council and acceptance of the Doctrinal Af-
firmation; ,

And for the purpose of giving each individual congregation
the right to voice its decision;

We, therefore, petition Synod to authorize a vote by individual
congregations for the purpose of affirming or rejecting the decision
reached by Synod in convention on these two matters.

Lurueran CuurcH or Our Savior, Norwoop, Oxto
Cart F. Renz, Secretary

Missouri Synod and the National Lutheran Council
(Memorial 628)

The over-all picture of Christianity in the world today de-
mands that the Church present a united front against its enemies of
materialism, humanism, and atheism. The next decades will de-
cide whether or not a large part of the world will continue to live
under the moral code of Christianity or of paganism.

The next decades will also determine whether or not Luther-
anism will continue to survive as the largest Protestant church body
in the world or whether it will shrink into a subordinate position.
For that reason, Lutheranism should be concerned about its sur-
vival, and present a world-united front.

Lutheranism in America should present a united front because
it owes the interest on the pounds which it has received from God
to the rest of Christianity in America.

The Missouri Synod must do everything within its power to
strengthen Christianity against the non-Christian world; to
strengthen world Protestantism, and to strengthen Lutheranism.

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