# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S119 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 119 doctrinal discussions through free conferences such as were common during the 19th century; and WHEREAS, There is a need for some sort of association or agency to oversee cooperation in purely external matters such as immigration and refugee services and other specialty services; and WHEREAS, Dr. Bohlmann has encouraged a format which would permit membership or at least some sort of observer status for our former brothers in the Wisconsin and Evan- gelical Lutheran Synods; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod endorse in principle Dr. Bohlmann’s proposal for a new inter- Lutheran association; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS take immediate steps to withdraw yom the programs of LCUSA and that this withdrawal be completed by the 1986 LCMS convention; and be it further Resolved, The proposed new inter-Lutheran association be functioning no later than Jan. 1, 1988, when the new Lutheran body comes into existence; and be it finally Resolved, That the LCMS formally recommend that the new agency eliminate those functions which involve doctrinal differences with the LCMS, violations of our fellowship princi- ples, and/or divergent political or ethical emphases, spe- cifically joint campus ministries, joint mission planning and comity arrangements, the news and public relations bureaus, Indian affairs, and governmental relations. Salem Lutheran Church Gretna, La. G. Robert Murphy, President Curtis A. Peterson, Pastor 3-86 To Work Toward New Inter-Lutheran Agency WHEREAS, The emergence of the new Lutheran Church in process suggests that a new Lutheran agency for cooperative ministries needs to be developed; and WHEREAS, The President of the Synod has suggested that such a new agency should be in place by 1985: therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod work toward a new inter- Lutheran agency that would maintain. if not increase, the present level of cooperation in all areas of mission and ministry. Western Pastors Conference English District Brian R. Dell. Secretary 3-87A To Continue Support for the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. WHEREAS, The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. has provided a Vehicle for the vast majority of Lutherans in this country to carry on theological discussions and ministry programs since 1967; and WHEREAS, The Council continues to be the primary means whereby our congregations can be involved in refugee place- ment, military ministry, youth agency relationships, social service relationships, campus ministries, film production and distribution, and regional mission planning; and WHEREAS, Three of the Council’s five member church bodies are preparing to unite in 1988, thus possibly making necessary arealignment of some Council programs and a continuation of others, especially those related to governmental agencies; and WHEREAS, Some congregations are concerned about the Synod’s role in the Council, especially in light of a report by the synodical President (Sept. 1982) which suggests that it may be “difficult, if not impossible, for the Missouri Synod to maintain even its present involvement ... let alone expand it”; and WHEREAS, The Council cannot be expected to function as effectively in mission if its future is placed “in limbo” for several years; therefore be it Resolved, That the Missouri Synod reaffirm its commitment to the Lutheran Council inthe U.S.A. for the foreseeable future; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod thank its President for alerting the Synod and other Council members to the need for realign- ment of some programs prior to 1988 and that the Synod join its President in urging a broad-based discussion of needed changes with the goal of enhancing mission, ministry, and cooperation; and be it finally Resolved, That the Missouri Synod maintain “its present level ofinvolvement” in the Council through the next synodical convention. First Lutheran Church Lakeview, Oreg. Dean Boe, President Identical or similar: 3-87B to 3-871 Zion, Westwood, N.J. Norman Brinkmann St. James, Grand Rapids, Mich. R.S. Miller Grace, Warminster, Pa. Paul Aldinger Town & Country, Sacramento, Calif. Ron Becker First, Helena, Mont. Oran Roy Bjamson Mt. Olive, Pasadena, Calif. Jeff Matson Marie Enfield Trinity, Northfield, Minn. Chas. N. Goehring Trinity, Spencerport, N.Y. 3-88 To Encourage Participation in the Lutheran Council WHEREAS, Membership in the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. has given The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod the opportunity to work and serve with fellow Lutherans; and WHEREAS, God has blessed us in united service in mission planning, refugee settlement, Armed Forces, coordinated so- cial ministry, continuing theological discussion, campus min- istries, etc. and WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Rela- tions, as a result of their study and evaluation stemming from Res. 3-18 in 1971, said “‘that the Missouri Synod participation in Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. (LCUSA) is consistent with the Synod's Scriptural and confessional position”: and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has ben- efited from our participation in the council; and WHEREAS, It would cost the LCMS a lot more money to duplicate services; and WHEREAS, The work of the council has been held back since 1975 by an LCMS policy of ‘selective participation” (i.e.. limited funding of minimum areas) in certain programs, leaving our voice unheard in some areas and our supportive hands unextended in other areas of our Savior’s mission; and WHEREAS, The council has affirmed the full participation of the Missouri Synod in its work by electing Synod members to very important administrative and legislative positions; there- fore be it Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its membership in the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. and its cooperative spirit with other church body members, while seeking to shape the council’s cooperative future and further expand the influence of the Gospel in our nation; and be it further Resolved, That our Synod strive to meet its full “fair share” annual commitment to the council program, seeking to min- ister to more and more people in the name of our Lord; and be it finally