# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S796
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

194 CONVENTION MINUTES

The Common Confession was recognized as a statement in
harmony with the Sacred Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions,
but it is not to be employed as a functioning basic document toward
the establishment of altar and pulpit fellowship with other church
bodies (TB:75,13). No dissenting vote was heard. In future,
doctrinal-statements committees are to take note of the need for
fuller use of antithetic statements (TB:75,14). Expressing regret
for any lack of brotherliness on our part in intersynodical relations,
and gratefully acknowledging every fraternal expression of guid-
ance in doctrine and practice which has in meekness and love
come from our brethren in the Synodical Conference, and deter-
mined to make every effort to avoid wrong and become more firmly
established in what is right, Synod voiced a plea that our sister
Synods accept our fraternal expressions of concern and earnestly
evaluate each of their proposed actions in the light of a definite
word of God. The suggestion was made that all members of the
Synodical Conference work jointly to produce a clear and com-
prehensive statement concerning doctrine and practice for today,
based on the Scriptures and in conformity with the Lutheran
Confessions. The President was commended for appointing the
Study Committees requested by the Synodical Conference. The
issues disturbing our unity are to be discussed in joint meetings
of the theological faculties, mixed pastoral conferences, and smaller
groups, the results to be made available to our Synod’s Committee
for formulating the proposed document. Synod agreed not to enter
discussions or negotiations with other Lutheran Synods without
previously inviting and urging our sister Synods to join us in these
discussions. Individual and public prayers in our congregations
were asked, so that all members of the Synodical Conference would
act according to God’s Word and in a spirit of Christian love.
These resolutions were passed without a dissenting vote being
heard, whereupon the vote was declared unanimous (TB:107,15).
The unanimity in Synod was gratefully recognized by singing
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.”

On recommendation of Committee 5, Synod resolved that the
Chairman of Synod’s Board for Young People’s Work be a voting
member of the Executive Board of the Walther League, and vice
versa, as soon as the Walther League has adopted a resolution
indicating that this arrangement is agreeable to them (TB:131, 1).
The training program in youth work at our terminal schools is to
be expanded. Youth work is to be given at least one day in the
program of pastors’ and teachers’ conferences (TB:182, 4) and is
to receive increased space in the Lutheran Witness and Der
Lutheraner (TB:132,3). Pastors and congregations were encour-