# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1198
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

690 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

is in reality functioning as a Church in so many phases of its
work” (page 10); and

Wuereas, The Constitution of our Synod lists as its first
objective “the conservation and promotion of the unity of the
true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1Cor.1:10) and a united defense against
schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)”; and ;

Wuereas, The Brief Statement, reaffirmed at the Chicago Con-
vention as the doctrinal position of our Synod, states: “All Chris.
tians are required by God to discriminate between orthodox and
heterodox church bodies, Matt. 7:15, to have church fellowship only
with orthodox church bodies, and, in case they have strayed into
heterodox church bodies, to leave them, Rom. 16:17. We repudiate
unionism, that is, church fellowship with the adherents of false
doctrine, as disobedience to God’s command, as causing divisions in
the Church, Rom. 16:17; 2 John 9—10, and as involving the constant
danger of losing the Word of God entirely.” 2 Tim. 2:17-21
(Par. 28); and

Wuereas, The Synodical Catechism, Question 186, says that

“we use the doctrine of the Church properly . . . when we avoid
all false churches”; and
Waereas, The Lutheran Witness in 1925 rightly said: “To
beware and to avoid does not mean to pray with them” (p. 434); and
Wuereas, The Word of God, Rom. 16:17 and similar passages,
does make it “sinful for the Missouri Synod to sign” and become
a participating body in the National Lutheran Council; now, there-
fore, be it
Resolved, That we petition The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod to reject membership in the National Lutheran Council and
to state clearly that it rejects such membership, not merely as
a matter of expediency, but as being forbidden by God in Rom. 16:17
and similar passages.
(Signed) (Rev.) A. C. Daums, Chicago, Ill.
(Rev.) THeo. Dierks, Morrison, Ill.
Immanve. Ev. LutHeran Cuurcu, Prrrspurcu, Pa.
Watiace H. McLaucuui, Pastor
J. Kensey Ciarkson, Secretary
(Rev.) A. T. Kretzmann, Crete, Il.
(Dr.) P. E. Kretzmann, Cuba, Mo.
(Rev.) Ernest T. Lams, Oak Park, Ill.
(Rev.) H. D. Mensine, Tinley Park, Ill.

Signatures attested by (Rev.) H. D. Mensine
Tinley Park, Ill., April 5, 1950

+
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INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 691

Not to Join the National Lutheran Council
(Memorial 659)
WnuereEas, Two conflicting reports on the question of Synod’s

. becoming a participating body in the National Lutheran Council

have been sent to the congregations of Synod; and
; _ Wuereas, The majority report is weakened by the assumption
that the constitution of the National Lutheran Council in theory
would permit us to join without doing violence to our convic-
tions; and

‘Wuereas, The minority report contains aberrations in the
doctrine of the Church; and

Wuereas, Joining the National Lutheran Council is not just
a matter of expediency based upon ‘the opinions of boards and
committees of Synod, but would be contrary to Rom.16:17 and
make us guilty of other men’s sins and unionism, since the consti-
tution of the National Lutheran Council in its preamble contains
the usual broad unionistic formulation of doctrine, contradicted
by existing vital doctrinal differences and serious differing policies;
and in Article X, Section 6, denies a vote upon matters to which
we would be lending financial support, although not otherwise
participating; therefore, in the name of St. John’s Evangelical Lu-
theran Church,

We, the Church Council, respectfully petition the convention
of Synod, assembled in Milwaukee, Wis., June 21—30, 1950, not to
join the National Lutheran Council.

Crourcn Councit or St. Joun’s Ev. Luraeran CHuRcH
Gary, Ind. ;

Wa ter H. Bonz, Secretary Haroip Kenpr
WALTER WANTHAL Jos, T. Firme

Paut ScHEUB Harvey H. Lensurc

ALFRED BIESTER Pau R. WHYLE

Avsert G. Noii Rosert F. Scowartz

Joun W. Louse Orro R. Pav.

Harry C. KortHaver G. H. Naumann, Pastor
March 27, 1950

Norte.—In this connection Committee 3 considered also Unprinted
Memorials 33, 37, 43, 46, and 61. .
ACTION
Upon recommendation of the Committee the following two
resolutions were adopted:
Your Committee has duly considered the memorials submitted,

especially the reports of the Committee on Membership in the