# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1195
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

686 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

Wuereas, In the development of denominations de iure humano
an area of Lutheranism should be recognized, determined by pro-
fessed adherence to the Confessional Writings of the Lutheran
Church; and

Wuereas, Within the area of Lutheranism aberrations may
arise within congregations and synods due to human weakniess,
some of which may reach such proportions as to call for Partial
separation (2 Thess.3:6-15), in order to implement evangelical
dealing in such situations; and

Wuenreas, Such separation may include refusal of pulpit and
altar fellowship; and

Wuereas, Nevertheless, a measure of brotherhood should be
continued; and

Wnrereas, Experience has demonstrated, even under such cir-
cumstances, that in many vital areas co-operation is important and
has been blessed; and

Wuenras, The National Lutheran Council has been established
for just such co-operation, clearly recognizing the lack of complete
unity and making provisions for co-operation and withholding co-
operation, as principle may demand; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod has found
it important to co-operate in the past in the fields of Relief for
Orphaned Missions in Africa and the Orient, of the Armed Services
Commission, of the Emergency Planning Council, of the Prisoner
of War work, of the Wartime Housing Projects, of Public Relations,
of the Lutheran Council of Great Britain, of the Bad Boll Con-
ferences, and in other areas; and

Wuereas, Such areas of co-operation undoubtedly will continue
to multiply under the present troubled world conditions; and

Wuereas, Even in other areas a measure of co-operation would
prove beneficial and be blessed as in the past; and

Wuereas, The fear of being an irritant is unworthy of our
church body, suggesting personalities, lack of faith in the power of
the Holy Spirit, Jack of ability to speak the truth in love, and fail-
ure to recognize the manner in which the unity of faith and of the
spirit'is to be developed, according to Ephesians 4; and

Wuereas, We are not responsible for misinterpretation of our
action by others as long as we clearly state the same; and

. Wuereas, There are large numbers of kindred spirits in other
Lutheran bodies, earnestly desiring and contending for conservative
Lutheranism, who will be either strengthened or offended accord-
ing to our action; therefore be it —