# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S518
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 519
[647]
Evangelical Procedure in Dealing with Erring Churches

Heresies sometimes arise within the Church through over-
stressing one side of given truths or through overemphasis. or
underemphasis. It is the Church’s task rightly to divide the Word
of Truth, to maintain the proper balance between; e. g., Law and
Gospel, sin and grace, justice and mercy, fellowship and separation.

Overstressing the Law leads to legalism, understressing to in-
differentism. The happy medium is safeguarded. through evan-
gelical procedure. Man by nature tends toward legalism. This has
been evident in many dealings within congregations, among
brethren, and in dealing with the church at large. We, therefore,
petition Synod to plead for a truly evangelical approach and atti-
tude, as the love of God constrains us. ;

Recognizing that unity on the human level is not an absolute
experience, that Christians individually and collectively always are
in the process of growth, Saints being perfected, the body being
edified, till we all come, in the unity of the faith and of the knowl-
edge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, etc.; that such growth
is the accomplishment of the Holy Spirit through the Means of
Grace; we, therefore, petition Synod for a truly evangelical pro-
cedure in dealing with erring churches.

A church which in the process of growth continues to estab-
lish higher walls of separation, dividing it from those which have
not advanced as far as it has, is in danger of becoming schismatic.
Withdrawal and separation is the ministering of the Law; it is an
admission of the failure of the Gospel; an act of judgment; a pro-
fessing that the Holy Spirit can no longer operate through our use
of the Gospel;. it is an extreme measure, particularly when it be-
comes absolute (partial-separation is indicated in 2 Thess. 3:6-15);
we, therefore petition Synod that it guard itself lest its zeal against
unionism lead it to separatism and pharisaism.

Cuicaco EnciisH District PastoraAL CONFERENCE
Harotp H. Nacen, Secretary