# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S1141
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

tutional Matters dated S
it further eptember 28, 1951, be approved; and be

When Is a Unanimous Vote Required?
(Unprinted Memorial 59)

Committee 6 reco
. mmended, and :
with 21 negative votes: Synod adopted this resolution

Resolution 32

; ”»
0 its letter of January 13, 1951, asking whether it ie the eased,
osition

clear as to what “the
> ar eliminate the

matter of doctrine and
wer to the following questions:

2. Does this opinion +

dent hold that an “aa athe Committee and the Presi-
re :

acceptance of the Common Confessnn must be required. for final

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 489
¥ith reference to the “circumstances of this particular case,”
ttee 6 refers to its report on Memorial 614 and protest of

R. Sheppard, which lists the circumstances. ;

th reference to question 1 of the Memorial, Committee 6

ssf the opinion that this is an abstract question to which it is

‘ = ible to give an answer at this time since it is not possible

+
a ‘anticipate circumstances which may develop or occur in the

e:

vith reference to question 2 of the Memorial, Committee 6
is of the opinion that the opinion of Synod’s standing Committee
on Constitutional Matters does not hold that unanimous agree-
ment must be required for final acceptance of the Common Con-

since the question of final adoption was not before it.
Asi-with question 1, an answer to this question is not possible
at;this time. Therefore be it
xi Resolved, That Synod decline to answer these two questions
in Unprinted Memorial 59 at this time.

Do All Matters of Doctrine and Conscience
Still Require Unanimous Agreement?
(Memorial 607)

Wuereas, Article III of the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod states that the first object of Synod is
“the conservation and promotion of the unity of the true faith
(Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor.1:10) and a united defense against schism and
sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)”; and .

Wuereas, Article VIII C expressly states: “All matters of
doctrine and conscience shall be decided by the Word of God. All
other matters shall be decided by a majority vote”; and

Wuereas, The Western District in 1862 declared: “Matters of
doctrine and conscience can be disposed of only by unanimous
agreement according to the Word of God and the Confessions of
the Church, Is. 8:2” (Die rechte Gestalt, p. 61; cf.-Theol. Quarterly, .
Vol.I, p.405; Walther, Pastorale, p.372); and ;

Wuergas, The Central District declared in 1875: “When a con-
troversy in doctrine arises, then it is ungodly. to settle the con-
troversy by a majority vote” (quoted in Kansas District, 1901,
p. 30); and . :

Wuereas, Synod’s Committee on Constitutional Matters in an
opinion, dated May 18, 1951, declared: “The vote at Milwaukee on
the acceptance of the Common Confession was certainly a ‘matter
of doctrine and conscience’ ” (II, 6); now therefore be it.

Resolved, That St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Congregation of Mor-
rison, Ill., hereby requests The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod