# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S510
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

510 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

a barrier against joint prayer,” the essay declares: “That we ar
not going too far when we say that adherence to false doctrine ;
a barrier to prayer fellowship is evident ete.” [Our emphasis,
Also in Homiletic Magazine, 44, 231: “Joint prayers presume Chris
tian fellowship.” Proceedings, Southern District, 1895, p. 97: “Peopl
who join in prayer must be of one mind, one faith, one hope, fo:
joint prayer is an expression of common faith. For that reasoy
Christians cannot join in prayer with the heterodox.” Lutheray

ways. ... We can no longer walk together. Hence we can no

a difference between “prayer fellowship” and “joint prayer” and
that joint prayer is not prayer fellowship, without offering a Scrip-
tural basis for such a claim; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That Synod declare that it has not changed its posi-
tion regarding these expressions and that it holds that joint prayer
is prayer fellowship; and be it furthermore

Resolved, That Synod reaffirm its Scriptural Position that we
cannot join in prayer with the heterodox, since joint prayer is an
expression of common faith.

(Signed) Zion Ev. LurHERAN CrurcH, Cuicaco, Inu.
Cari G. Kruse, Pastor

Signature attested by (Rev.) H. D. MEnsinc
Tinley Park, Ill., April 5, 1950

eee

Prayer Fellowship and Joint Prayer

Waergas, Our Synod in its Proceedings and official documents
has used the expressions “prayer fellowship” and “joint prayer”
Synonymously (cf. e.g., Proceedings, Oklahoma District, 1937,
Thesis XXIV); and

Wuaereas, The majority report of the synodical committee “On
the Question of Synod’s Becoming a Participating Body in the
National Lutheran Council” insists that there is a distinction
between “prayer fellowship” and ‘Joint prayer”; and

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