# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S182 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 182 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS no fellowship exists on a local level even though the Synod says fellowship exists on a national level, so a congregation has aright to say fellowship exists on a local level apart from the relationship between the two synods on a national level; and be it finally Resolved, That each member congregation be urged to consider this fellowship question with the ALC primarily on the basis of how this relationship either hinders or supports the mission of the local congregation to share the good news of God’s grace and love for us in Christ Jesus with the people on the local level. Immanuel Lutheran Church Tonawanda, NY Wilbert C. Ellman, President Geraldine Nagel, Secretary Identical or similar: 3-69B St. Mark, North Tonawanda, N.Y. Thomas Spahn 3-70 To State Fellowship Requirements WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at its Dallas Conv. in 1977 declared itself to be in a state of ‘‘fellowship in protest” with the American Lutheran Church (Res. 3-02A, Proceedings, pp. 125—126); and WHEREAS, This resolution has added four new requirements for fellowship, namely, doctrinal agreement on (1) Scriptural inerrancy, (2) the ordination of women, (3) the nature and basis of fellowship, and (4) membership and participation in ecumenical organizatons; and WHEREAS, Two additional categories of alleged differences have since been cited, namely, (1) Holy Scripture: authority and interpretation, and (2) the Lutheran Confessions: sub- scription and diversity (see “The American Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; A Statement of Doctrinal Differences,’’ October, 1980, based upon ‘“‘The Function of Doctrine and Theology in Light of the Unity of the Church,” 1978, referred to as the FODT report); and WHEREAS, These new prerequisites for altar and pulpit fellowship demand more than is required by (1) the Scriptures themselves; (2) the Unaltered Augsburg Confesson of 1530; (3) the ‘Theology of Fellowship” document received at the Detroit convention in 1965 /Proceedings, pp. 98 and 264—291); (4) the Synod’s “Declaration of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church” in 1966 (Concordia Theological Monthly, October 1966, p. 596); (5) the “Joint Statement and Declaration of the Representatives” of The American Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1967; (6) Dr. Fred Kramer’s paper, ‘“‘The Fellowship Principle According to Augustana VII" (1968); and (7) synodical Res. 3-15 adopted at Denver in 1969, “To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with The American Lutheran Church” (see Pro- ceedings pp. 96—99); therefore be it Resolved, That we return to the original Scriptural, con- fessional, and synodical basis for fellowship; and be it further Resolved, “That we affirm as Lutheran Christians that the Evangelical Lutheran Church is chiefly a confessional movement within the total body of Christ rather than a denomination emphasizing institutional barriers of separa- tion” (“Mission Affirmations” adopted by Detroit convention, 1965 [ Proceedings, p. 80]); and be it finally Resolved, That we join hands with all evangelical Lutherans in worship and witness so that the world might be won for Jesus Christ. University Lutheran Church La Jolla, Calif. Richard Herbst, President John George Huber, Pastor 3-71 To Postpone Action on Fellowship WHEREAS, The CTCR “Bible Study on Fellowship” im- presses on us that fellowship is a given relationship which persons have with Jesus Christ by faith in Him; and, further- more, fellowship is a reality which children of God have with all believers; and furthermore, that Christ’s church is one; and furthermore, God wills that the members of His church express the fellowship given them in Christ; and WHEREAS, The CTCR study material related to LCMS-ALC fellowship has been received too late to give it thorough study prior to this convention; and WHEREAS, Any action regarding LCMS-ALC fellowship will affect fellow Lutherans in local communities throughout our nation; therefore be it Resolved, That the members of our congregations be given ample time to study the latest CTCR materials related to LCMS-ALC fellowship; and be it further Resolved, That the CTCR study and inform the members of the LCMS prior to its next convention as to ways in which fellowship among members of the body of Christ might be expressed by members of the LCMS, especially in relationship to fellow Lutherans; and be it finally Resolved, That any action regarding LCMS-ALC fellowship be tabled until the next LCMS national convention. St. Martin’s Ev. Lutheran Church Winona, Minn. Charles O. Johnson, President Richard L. Krenzke, Pastor OTHER INTERCHURCH AND FELLOWSHIP MATTERS 3-72 To Explore Ways to Effect Fellowship WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has had a history of ecclesiastical fellowship with its former partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America and with The American Lutheran Church; and WHEREAS, The divisions and schisms in the body of Chnist, including many Lutheran circles, are a scandal in the sight of all, including our Lord Jesus; and WHEREAS, We are involved with “Fellowship in Protest” and being reconsidered for reestablishment of fellowship by other “protesting” Lutheran Synods; and WHEREAS, We need to prayerfully consider this process of declaring fellowship so that the most God-pleasing solution might be discovered; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod continue to explore ways to establish true doctrinal unity in order to effect a God-pleasing fellowship that will honor His name and uphold the Sacred Scriptures; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod not enter into fellowship with any Lutheran body in the United States of America unless it at the same time joins in organiza- tional unification. Jehovah Ev. Lutheran Congregation Chicago, III. William Reichel, Chairman Beulah Ballew, Secretary 3-73A To Develop Closer Bonds WHEREAS, The fellowship of believers is based on their mutual faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; and WHEREAS, Many passages of Sacred Scripture urge people of God to recognize one another, to enjoy fellowship in the Gospel, and to encourage and edify one another; and