# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S164
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

164 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

3-12A

To Study the Question
of the Eucharistic Prayer

WHEREAS, The question of the Eucharistic Prayer (that is, a
prayer of thanksgiving which contains the words of institution
and is used in place of the proclamation of the words of
institution alone) has never been directly studied by The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, Theological questions concerning the use of the
Eucharistic Prayer both within and without of the Synod (cf.
Oliver K. Olson, ‘““Contemporary Trends in Liturgy Viewed
from the Perspective of Classical Lutheran Theology,”
Lutheran Quarterly, 1974: 110-157; Gottfried G. Krodel, The
Great Thanksgiving of the Inter-Lutheran Commission on
Worship (Cresset Occasional Paper I, Valparaiso University
Press, 1976); Paul Rorem, ‘‘Luther’s Objections to a Eucharistic
Prayer,” Cresset, March 1975, 12-17; Arnold F. Krugler, “‘The
Words of Institution: Proclamation or Prayer?” Concordia
Journal, 2 (March 1976) 53—60 have been raised; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations in its 1977 report to the Synod regarding the
Lutheran Book of Worship said that ‘serious questions have
been raised by theologians within and without the LCMS
about portions of the Service of Holy Communion” and then
pointed specifically to ‘‘the optional use of the so-called
Eucharistic Prayer’ as something to be carefully evaluated
(CW, 1977, p. 40); and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s new hymnal will not contain the
Eucharistic Prayer: and

WHEREAS, Such prayers continue to be advocated by some
within our own circles (cf. Reporter, Nov. 10, 1980, p. 8) and are
also present in the Worship Supplement; therefore be it

Resolved, That the CTCR be directed to prepare materials
for the further study of this practice; and be it further

Resolved, That the recommendations of the CTCR on this

subject be presented to the Synod in the light of the doctrines of

justification, sanctification, Law and Gospel, and the correct

use of the sacraments.

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milwaukee, Wis.

Jonathan Lorenz, Chairman

Ervin R. Lemke, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-12B and 3-12C

St. John’s McCook (Ash Creek), Nebr. Walter J. Klipp
Concordia College Faculty, Milwaukee, Wis. Walter Jennirch

3-13A

To More Clearly Define and Refrain
from Unionistic Practices

_ _ WHEREAS, The year 1980 has resulted in widely publicized
joint Roman, Lutheran get-togethers; and

WHEREAS, Some LCMS pastors and congregations have
attempted to avoid the charge of unionism by labeling those
get-togethers as “rallies, events, etc.”; and

WHEREAS, The use of processionals, robes, lighting of
candles, Bible readings, prayers, hymns, sermons, and such
give at least the appearance of a worship service; and

WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures admonish the church “‘to be
wise in that which is good, and unmixed in that which is bad”
(Rom. 16:19); and

WHEREAS, The LCMS Constitution directs the “‘re-
nunciation of unionism and syncretism of every descrip-
tion... ”’; Therefore be it

Resolved, That a more descriptive definition of unionism
and unionistic practices be formulated, taking into considera-
tion ‘‘the appearance of”; and be it further

Resolved, That unionism and unionistic practices be ter-
minated.

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Lusk, Wyo.

W. T. Bredthauer, Chairman
Eugene Kupke, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-13B to 3-13D

Hope, San Leandro, Calif.
Trinity, Virginia, Minn.
Mount Hope, Casper, Wyo.

Oscar Osness
Otto Drevlow
J. B. Brown

To Deal Seriously
with Article VI, 2 (Unionism)

WHEREAS, Article VI, 2 of the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod forbids unionism and syncretism of
every description; and

WHEREAS, We read in various District and congregational
newsletters, national and local newspapers that clergymen,
including District officials, are indeed engaging in unionistic
services; and

WHEREAS, It has becomeso commonplace that it seems to be
unnoticed by District and synodical officials; and

WHEREAS, Some have indicated that they do not see what is
wrong with this practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That our Synod in convention deal with this
discrepancy; and be it further

Resolved, That a study group be appointed to consider this
matter; and be it further

Resolved, That those who have signed the Constitution of
this church and those who will be signing this same document
be requested to honor their signature; or be it finally

Resolved, To remove this point from Article VI of our
Constitution.

First Lutheran Church

Hanford, Calif.

Don Hotz, President

Dan Alsop, Secretary

3-15

To Urge District Presidents
to Supervise Compliance with Article VI
of the Synod’s Constitution

WHEREAS, During the 450th anniversary of the Augsburg
Confession several pastors have participated in ecumenical
worship services with the Roman Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Article VI of the Synod’s Constitution lists
among the conditions of membership the “renunciation of
unionism and syncretism of every description, such as:...
taking part in the services and sacramental rites of heterodox
congregations or of congregations of mixed confession [italics
added]; and

WHEREAS, “The District Presidents, in accordance with the
Constitution of the Synod, shall supervise the doctrine, the life,
and the official administration on the part of the pastors... of
their District” (Handbook 3.45); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct all District
Presidents to supervise vigorously compliance with Article VI
of our Synod’s Constitution.

Redeemer Lutheran Church
Grand Rapids, Mich.

Ray Seppamaki, Chairman
Allen Maleske, Pastor