# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S96 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 96 RESOLUTIONS To Encourage Discussions with Other Christian Groups RESOLUTION 3-12 Report 2-01, II, C (CW, pp. 62—63) Wuereas, The Mission Affirmations of the Detroit convention state that the Lutheran Church is a confes- sional movement within Christendom and indicate the responsibilities of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod as a part of that movement; therefore be it - Resolved, That the members of the Synod on every level be encouraged to continue their interest and par- ticipation in all interchurch dialog that permits a clear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth in Holy Scripture and explicated by the Lutheran Confes- sions; and be it also Resolved, That the Synod encourage both pastoral conferences and lay study groups to study and discuss the materials already published as well as any that may be produced in the process of further interchurch con- versations in which we are participants. Action: Adopted (15). To Continue Discussions with Lutheran Church in America RESOLUTION 3-13 Report 2-01, I, B (CW, pp. 60—61); Overture 3-249, (CW, pp. 191—192) Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod resolved in its 1967 convention (Resolution 3-02, 1967 Proceedings) that “its President and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations earnestly invite Lutheran churches in America with whom we are not in fellowship to join in mutual love and confidence with our church in consultation with a view to removing the causes of misunderstanding and separation”; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod endorse the efforts of President Harms in seeking consultation with the Lu- theran Church in America and gratefully recognize that two meetings have been held; and be it also Resolved, That the President of the Synod and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations be en- couraged to continue discussions with the Lutheran Church in America for the purpose of seeking a God- pleasing fellowship. Action: Adopted (15). (Res.3-05 had been referred back to the committee in Ses- sion 2. The committee resubmitted it with a change in the final words, which had read originally: “. . . with a view toward finding the consensus necessary for the establish- ment of altar and pulpit fellowship.”) To Apply for Membership in Lutheran World Federation RESOLUTION 3-14 Report 2-01, I, B; Apps. D and E; Overtures 3-250 to 3-261, 3-279 (CW, pp. 60, 66—69, 192—195, 200); 3-299U, 3-300U, 3-317U, 3-335U, 3-336U, 3-356U, 3-357U (URO, pp. 18, 22, 30, 39—40) Wuereas, The nature, function, and scope of the Lutheran World Federation according to its revised constitution of 1963 afford The Lutheran Church — Mis- souri Synod an opportunity to add its voice to the wit- ness of confessional Lutheranism to the Christian com- munity and to the world as an implementation of the Mission Affirmations adopted by the Synod in 1965; and Wuereas, The thorough study of the doctrinal basis of the Lutheran World Federation by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations revealed no Biblical or confessional obstacles to membership; therefore be it Resolved, That the convention instruct the Synod’s President to make application for membership in the Lutheran World Federation; and be it further Resolved, To ask the President to transmit to the executive committee of the Lutheran World Federation the CTCR’s report and summary statement to make clear the Synod’s understanding of the nature of the Lutheran World Federation and the significance of membership in it; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod participate in the projects and activities of the Lutheran World Federation as her resources permit; and be it finally Resolved, That in loving concern for all the sister churches of the Synod the convention ask the President to transmit to them the CTCR’s report and summary statement as well as a copy of this convention resolu- tion. Action: Declined (15). (A motion in Session 15 to vote on this resolution by ballot carried by a standing vote of 394 to 338. Since the order of the day called for the continuation of the report of Committee 3, a motion to postpone action on this resolution was ruled out of order. No challenge to the ruling was offered. In the balloting Res. 3-14 was defeated: 272 for, 620 against.) To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with The American Lutheran Church RESOLUTION 3-15 Reports 2-01, II, B; 3-01; Overtures 3-18 to 3-39, 3-84 to 3-243, 3-277, 3-278 (CW, pp. 61, 94-—95, 99—107, 125—1839, 199); 3-285U to 3-298U, 3-302U, 3-303U, 3-305U to 3-316U, 3-319U to 3-323U, 3-326U to 3-334U, 3-340U, 3-346U to 3-355U, 3-358U, 3-362U, 3-363U, 3-366U to 3-379U, 3-382U, 3-386U, 3-387U (URO, pp. 14—29, 32, 34—44, 46—47) Preamble As we consider altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran Church, we do well to state clearly