# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S548
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

548 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

have compelled us to take this step should indicate to our brethren
in Synod how serious this matter is to us.

If Synod holds that the steps we have taken in assuming
a protesting membership toward Synod and in withholding sup-
port of Synod financially as long as present conditions continue
are contrary to God’s Word, we will consider it a favor if this were
proved to us. However, we ask Synod not to censure or disapprove
our action unless it is able to show from Scripture that our under-
standing and application of 2 Cor. 13:8 is a misuse of this text and
that Scripture elsewhere condemns the action we have taken,

Nar are we willing to admit that our action may justifiably be
called a lack of co-operation with Synod, for by our protesting
membership as well as by our conscientious withholding of finan-
cial support under present conditions we are offering the strongest
possible co-operation to Synod in carrying out its very first object,
namely: “The conservation and promotion of the unity of the true
faith” (Constitution of Synod, Art. II, 1). While we are conscious
of the fact that for the present our congregation is not carrying
out resolutions of Synod urging its member to support Synod’s
work financially, we also note that Synod has only an advisory
relation toward its member congregations and has declared in 1950
(Proceedings, p.530) that the present Constitution of Synod fully
protects the rights of the individual congregation as originally
stipulated in Synod’s Constitution in the following words: “No
resolution of the former (that is, of Synod), if it imposes anything
on the individual congregation as a synodical resolution, has any
binding force on the latter. Such a resolution of Synod can only
then first have binding effect when the individual congregation
has voluntarily adopted it and has itself ratified it by a formal
resolution of the congregation” (Art. VIL)

Finally, another purpose in presenting these matters to Synod
itself is that our congregation again hear, as in 1947, 1950, and
1953, what Synod itself in convention assembled may choose to say
on what is sometimes referred to as “the other side.” We hold
that only the position expressed by Synod itself in convention
assembled, or, better yet, by action of all of its member congre-
gations (a procedure which should be followed in important matters
of God’s Word and conscience) and not individuals’ declarations
or assertions could represent the so-called “other side,” since
Synod itself holds only an advisory position toward its sovereign
congregations. We therefore wish to emphasize again that we are
asking for the position of the synodical convention itself and not
the representations of any individuals or committees. Since the