# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1197
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

688 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

fully petition the convention of Synod, assembled in Milwa
Wis., in June, 1950, to instruct its officers to make formal appli
tion for membership in the National Lutheran Council.

Repeemer Ev. Luraeraw Cuurdy
East Gary, Ind. =

Epwarp W. Korunexe, Pastor —

Cart Zouter, Chairman
James CauGHRON, Secretary

Overture on Affiliation with the National
Lutheran Council
(Memorial 657)
Adopted by the 1948 Convention of the English District

The Committee recommends adoption of the overture of the
Northwestern Pastoral Conference regarding membership in the
National Lutheran Council, as follows:

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church throughout the world, ‘and
especially in America, by reason of its unqualified acceptance of the
Holy Scriptures and the Confessions and by reason of its emphasis
upon the means of grace, already possesses a unity of faith which
clearly distinguishes it from all other Christian Churches; and

Wuereas, The divisions which remain between the Lutheran
Synods of America constitute schism, not sectarianism (for the dis-
tinction between schism and sectarianism cf. The Abiding. Word,
pp. 287, 301f.); and

WHEREAS, The prevention and healing of schism is one of the
primary objectives of the Missouri Synod (cf. Constitution of the
Missouri Synod, Art. III, 1); and

Wuereas, In accordance with these Lutheran principles, the
use of the term unionism historically was applied to fellowship
between Lutheran and Reformed groups, a usage which. would
éliminate much confused thinking and the false impression that
differences separating the several Lutheran bodies are as serious
as differences separating Lutherans from Reformed bodies, an
implicit denial of the confessional character of Lutheranism; and

Wuereas, The refusal of co-operation with other Lutherans
on the basis of expediency alone constitutes a denial of Lu-
theranism’s historic confessional character, weakens the power
of American Lutheran influence for good in the councils of world
Lutheranism, and silences by default the conservative voice which
the Missouri Synod should supply; and .

Whereas, It is now clear that a fully concerted effort of all

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 689

‘ . and
mission in the contemporary world; an
SS qraeneas The contention of the English District, the Pastoral
‘rence of the Southeastern District, and other interested
: at the Centennial Convention, that membership in the

7 is is i i irit of Resolution 368 c,

*WuereaS, This is in harmony with the spiri

he at the synodical convention in 1947, but not printed, and

aiding as follows: . ‘th ite princi

: “That the Missouri Synod, in agreement with its principles,
:-offer its full co-operation and support to all groups and

churches at home and abroad confessing the Lutheran faith,

and that our Synod declare its willingness to exert its influence

i then all true
ae fullest possible extent to uphold and streng l true
at to theren elements, and to that end empower the Praesidium
“<:. ¢9 take appropriate action”; and

5 Wuenreas, Since our principle of co-operation with the National

£ Council has been that of expediency, it would seem the
bonsai thing that we acknowledge the propriety of official
: &-operation. and as members assume our fair obligations along
with the other constituent bodies; be it therefore 7

Resolved, That the English District again affirm the position
taken in its 1946 overture to the Missouri Synod (cf. Proceedings,
1947, Mem. 619, pp. 524—526); and —

That a copy of the 1946 overture of the English District and of
this resolution be sent to the Missouri Synod’s Committee studying
membership in the National Lutheran Council, to the President
of the Missouri Synod, and to the President of each Synodical
District, requesting their further favorable consideration of this

atter; and -
“ That again in 1950 the English District respectfully petition the
Missouri Synod to apply for membership in the National Lutheran

Council. C. F. Danxworta

Secretary, ENGLIsH DIsTRIcT

Reject Membership in the National Lutheran Council
. (Memorial 658) .
“ i i the Question
Wuereas, The “Synodical Committee Report on u
of Synod’s Becoming a Participating Body in the National Lutheran
Council” says: “The National Lutheran Council is actually fune-
tioning as a Church” (page 6), and “the National Lutheran Council

-igs necessary to give full force to the Lutheran message ©