# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S358
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

358 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

which we have for years complained to the Committee on
synodical Relations, to the Synodical Conference, and to you;
vention as well, and so to restore mutual confidence ‘an,
brotherly co-operation.

That we are not misinterpreting your resolutions and:
during the past years is attested by utterances heard frony.
Lutherans, by some leaders in your Synod, and by the protg
dissenting individuals and groups of your brethren, as wel}
the fact that some have actually renounced membership :
Missouri Synod for “the sake of conscience.”

For the sake of the truth and our common good we ag
to do the following in order to preserve the Synodical Co:
and to make it possible for us to continue our affiliation wi
and our joint labors in the service of our Lord:

1. Rescind the following resolutions:
“Resolved, That we rejoice and thank God that the ‘Con
Confession’ shows that agreement has been achieved in th
trines treated by the two committees ... and be it further
“Resolved, That if the American Lutheran Church, in cony
tion assembled, accepts it, the ‘Common Confession’ shall be:
ognized as a statement of agreement on these doctrines be’
us and the American Lutheran Church.”
Nore: A statement of our reasons for rejecting the C
Confession as inadequate is in the hands of President Behnken.
[609]
2. Suspend the doctrinal discussions with the American
theran Church until that body in convention clearly ands
equivocally has declared itself against unionism as defined’i
Brief Statement and has begun to put this principle into pra

Note: This has been our position since 1939, and we are co!
that we have shown with sufficient clarity that it is correct a
to the Scriptures. It will not be necessary to refer to the Se
Resolutions, the quotation from the “Friendly Invitation,” the de
for “Selective Fellowship,” and the associations which the
Lutheran Church has continued to maintain and new ones whi
recently entered.

[610]

3. Reverse your resolutions on “Scouting,” and reconsider
position on “Joint Prayer,” as well as your answer to the “¢
tions” our Synod addressed to yours in 1949.

Nore: President Behnken has the necessary documents.

We hope that you will find it possible to discuss these
‘on the floor of the convention and that all of your delegates:
learn all of the facts. May the gracious Lord guide you an
you the spiritual strength to do His will.