# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1989_S110 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 110 RESOLUTIONS souri Synod (LCMS) under God’s blessings have enjoyed a long history of fraternal ties and relationships; and Wuereas, The LCSA and the LCMS, especially since the official formation of the LCSA in 1967, have experi- enced an informal fellowship relationship growing out of ‘and based on their common ties with their sister churches / Wuereas, The LCMS for many years has assisted the LCSA through the Bleckmar Mission of its sister churches in Germany by sending missionaries to aid in evangelistic work and seminary teaching in southern Africa; and Wuereas, The LCSA has requested through its bishop “the formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship” be- tween our churches; and Wuereas, The Board for Mission Services, the Board of Directors, and the Church Relations Department have pre- pared a protocol document outlining a partnership agree- ment between the LCMS and the LCSA; and Wuereas, Discussion between the representatives of our two churches have revealed that complete agreement in doctrine and practice exists; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS express praise and thanks- giving to God for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the LCSA and for the many blessings that He has so graciously worked among them; and be it further Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude to God the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS formally recognize the exis- tence of altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCSA; and be it further Resolved, That we pray for continued blessings in the years ahead on our two churches and the fellowship that we have come to enjoy; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod officially recognize the Lu- theran Church in Southern Africa as a partner church and that the President of the Synod be responsible for imple- menting this relationship as soon as possible. Action: Adopted (4). (During discussion, delegates declined an amendment stating, “Resolved, That the LCMS reaffirm its position on apartheid,” since it is already clear that both the Synod and the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa are opposed to racism in any form.) To Thank God for Lutheran Church— Canada Partnership RESOLUTION 3-03 Report R3-01 LI, d (CW, p. 61) Wuereas, Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC) (made up of the three Canadian districts formerly of the Synod) held its constituting convention in May 1988, and began func- tioning as an autonomous partner church of the Synod on Jan. 1, 1989; and WueErEAS, Representatives from both church bodies have agreed to meet together twice a year to deal with issues of mutual interest and concern and in order to main- tain and strengthen our confessional unity; therefore be it Resolved, That we give thanks to God for our confes- sional unity and cordial working relationship with the LCC; and be it finally Resolved, That we wish this partner church the Lord’s richest blessings in its mission and ministry as an auton- omous church body. Action: Adopted (8). (Adoption of this resolution was followed by the singing of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”) To Encourage Services of Women _. RESOLUTION 3-04A Report R2-04 (CW, pp. 47-50) Wuereas, The Lord of the church has bestowed unique gifts upon the church to accomplish the mission of bringing the Gospel to the whole world; and WueEreEas, These gifts have been bestowed upon both men and women of the church, the priesthood of all be- lievers; and WueEreas, The Synod has not yet utilized the service of women to the fullest extent in the life and work of the church; and WHEREAS, There continues to be confusion about the role and service of women in the church; and WueEreas, The Report of the President’s Commission on Women entitled “God’s Woman for All Generations” and the report of the Commission on Theology and Church Re- lations “Women in the Church” (September 1985) are help- ful resources; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod recognize with thanksgiving all of God’s gifts to His church, in particular the gift of people; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod encourage Districts and con- gregations to make full appropriate use of the ministry and service of women; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod encourage study and discus- sion of the reports mentioned above in Bible classes, Cir- cuit Forums, and other settings; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod encourage every District to establish a Commission on Women or provide other ve- hicles for the purpose of (1) sharing resources for the min- istry of women; (2) encouraging women to recognize and accept their responsibility for what the church teaches; (3) identifying existing and further ministries ready for their qualified and joyful service; and (4) calling attention to the eagerness and desire of the women of the church to share their gifts. Action: Adopted as amended (9). (The words Encourage women to recognize and accept their responsibility for what the church teaches were first adopted as a substitute for “Sharing resources for the ministry of women.” Later, it was agreed that those words should also be retained. An amendment stating, “Resolved, That the LCMS reaffirm its po- sition that the pastoral office is restricted to properly qualified men as the Holy Spirit has clearly stated in the pastoral epistles of 1 Timothy and Titus,” was declared out of order since the con-