# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1126
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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554 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

cases which present unusual features, rendering their classification
difficult.”

2. Even in such cases Synod warns the pastors earmestly to
beware of procrastinating, and it is evident that this has been the
case where lodge members have been communed from 1929 until
now, without decisive action. .

3. Synod advises all members who know of cases where ad.
monition was carried on until it had reached the District of the
brethren without removal of the lodge evil, to bring them to its
attention without delay, presenting all the evidence pertaining

thereto. Karu H. Enters WaActer J. Lurcxe
G. R. Naumann Wr1am Sincis
A.R. Remxine M. F. Krerzmany
ACTION
Upon recommendation of Committee 6, Synod resolved:

Resolution 1
Wuereas, Synod in 1926 and 1929 again clearly defined its

- position with respect to lodges and summarized the same in the

new synodical Handbook 13.01, which reads:

“a. Synod is firmly opposed to lodges or societies of an un-
christian or anti-Christian character. ;

“b, It is the solemn, sacred, and God-given duty of every
pastor properly to instruct his people on the sinfulness of such
lodges as deny the Holy Trinity, the deity of Christ, the Vicarious
Atonement, and other Scriptural doctrines, and to induce his
congregation(s) to take action against all members who after
thorough instruction refuse to leave such a lodge.

“c. It is the duty of every fellow Christian, fellow pastor, and
especially of the officials of Synod, to admonish all pastors who
neglect their duty in this respect; and if Christian admonition
has been administered in the spirit of Matthew18 without the
proper results, the officials of Synod shall bring such cases to
the attention of the respective District for further action.

“d. Synod instructs .its officers to exercise vigilant care and
urges all pastors and congregations to admonish such congregations
and pastors: as permit the ‘lodge evil’ to exist in their churches
without countertestimony and decisive action. If after due investi-
gation it becomes evident that such congregations and pastors
refuse to change their attitude and practice, they shall be sus-
pended and eventually expelled from Synod.

“e. Synod earnestly requests the various Districts to carry out
these provisions and faithfully to assist their congregations in
eradicating the lodge evil. .

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 555

__ £. Synod maintains a Lodge Information Bureau to furnish
information, advice, and literature concerning lodges. This bureau
shall consist of three members who shall be appointed by the
President in conjunction with the Vice-Presidents.

_ “g. It is, and shall be, the practice in Synod not to administer
Holy Communion to members of such lodges.

“h. A conscientious pastor may in cases which present unusual
features, rendering their classification difficult, administer Holy
Communion to a person who is still outwardly connected with such
a lodge. But in such a case the pastor shall earnestly beware of
procrastinating and giving offense, and to this end he shall freely
and conscientiously consult with his church council and congre-
gation, his brethren in the ministry, and with the officials of Synod,
as the case may require.” Therefore be it

Resolved; That we reaffirm this position of Synod with respect
to lodges;

That we urge all pastors and congregations to exercise great
vigilance in this matter;

That such pastors and congregations as neglect their duty in
this respect be properly admonished according to Matthew 18 by
fellow Christians, fellow pastors, and District officials; and

That where all such evangelical dealing with offending pastors
or congregations fails, the matter be taken to the Praesidium of
Synod and finally to Synod itself, if necessary, for proper action.

Permit Broader Committee Assignments
for District Presidents .
(Memorial 1013)

Wuereas, The traditional concentration of District Presidents
on Committee No.1 at the convention of Synod unnecessarily re-
stricts the general availability of their experience and judgment;
be it therefore

Resolved, That the President of Synod appoint them to the

convention committees according to their special competence and
interest.
; York-SeEwarp REGIONAL CONFERENCE

SourTHERN NesrasKa District

B. Hom, Secretary
ACTION

Upon recommendation of Committee 6, Synod resolved:

Resolution 31

Wuereas, The College of Presidents encourages support of this
memorial; and ,