# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1965_S171
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

controversial labor dispute? How do we know whether
a particular “freedom ride” or civil rights demonstration
will be pleasing to the Lord and helpful to mankind?
How can we commit ourselves to full participation in
plans and actions with groups involving people of all
shades of belief and unbelief? It is in problems and
matters of this type, involving questions where Chris-
tian judgment and opinion may differ, that our com-
mission endeavors to be of service.

The floor committee on Social Action and Welfare
attempted to perform the tasks assigned to it in the
light of the foregoing considerations.

To Enjoin Aggressive Mission Policy
and to Prepare Policy Statement
on Racial and Cultural Discrimination

RESOLUTION 9-21

Overtures 9-12, 9-13 (CW, pp. 341, 342)

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
standing firmly on Scripture and being fully cognizant
of the message and mission of the church, has in its
last three conventions lifted a prophetic voice regard-
ing racial issues; and

Whereas, During the last decade many of our con-
gregations, in obedience to the Lord of the church and
by His grace, have taken remedial action toward the
elimination of racial discrimination; and

Wuereas, Dramatic developments during the past
triennium have created a new imperative for accelerated
action toward the resolution of racial problems within
the church; and

Wuereas, No congregation is autonomous to decide
whom it will serve; and

Wuereas, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod (Art. VI, 5) states:

5. A congregation shall be received into membership
only after Synod has convinced itself that the constitu-
tion of the congregation, which must be submitted for
examination, contains nothing contrary to the Scriptures
or the Confessions.

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the
substantial progress we have made toward the solution
of racial tensions in our church; and be it further

Resolved, That all our congregations be enjoined not
only to adopt an open-door policy but also to initiate
an aggressive program of mission outreach to all people
of all races and cultures; and be it further

Resolved, That all our congregations be strongly
urged and assisted by the District officials to address
themselves aggressively toward the elimination of all
restrictive clauses in their constitutions and all other
official or unofficial statements, as well as all written
or implied policies, agreements, and understandings
which are intended to discriminate against any racial
or ethnic group; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod’s Commission on Social
Action be instructed to prepare an appropriate state-
ment on synodical policy which will decline applications
for membership in The Lutheran Church — Missouri

SOCIAL ACTION AND WELFARE, WORLD RELIEF 171

Synod by congregations which practice a selectivity
based on racial or ethnic origin, and that this state-
ment be submitted to the 1967 synodical convention for
incorporation in the synodical Handbook.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Acknowledge Differing Responses
to the Racial Situation and to Warn Against
Judging One Another

RESOLUTION 9-22

Overture 9-14 (CW, p. 342)

Wuereas, The struggle for racial equality and justice
is a proper and necessary concern of the church; and

Wuereas, The Synod has been blessed with synod-
ical officials, pastors, and lay people who have asserted
creative Christian leadership in this struggle; and

Wuereas, There is a variety of ways in which Chris-
tians respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in
their efforts to promote racial justice in the existential
situation; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod, in convention assembled, commend and encour-
age those of its members who, as concerned Christians
and citizens, have engaged in lawful and peaceful dem-
onstrations for the furtherance of racial justice; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Synod also commend and en-
courage those who use other than direct-action methods
for furthering social justice; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its members to
exercise the greatest care in judging one another in their
individual and different responses to complex social
problems as each endeavors to apply the divine prin-
ciple of Christian love to the specific human situation.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Point Out Dilemma That Confronts
Christians When There Are Conflicting Laws

RESOLUTION 9-23

Overtures 9-15, 9-16 (CW, pp. 342, 343); 9-22 M (TB,
p. 28)

Wuereas, God has ordained human government to
serve the human good and calls upon His people to be
lawfully obedient to such authority; but

Wuereas, A real conflict arises when federal, state,
or local statutes, or the administration of those statutes,
contradict the highest law of the land, the federal Con-
stitution; and

Wuereas, The Christian’s highest commitment is to
the law of Christian love; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge that the mo-
tivation of genuine Christian love does on occasion lead
some Christians to challenge and even violate federal,
state, or local laws which are unconstitutional; and be it
further

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