# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S111
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CHURCH RELATIONS 111

tion” and its corollary, the “inerrancy of Scripture” in
all its parts, also in those that deal with the natural
sciences, history, geography, numbers, etc.; and

Whereas, A consensus in doctrine on the part of the
synodical commissioners and officials is not necessarily a
consensus on the part of the local congregations; and

Wuereas, A matter of doctrine, faith, and practice
should not be determined by officials and conventions
and imposed on the local congregation: and

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church has voted
to have fellowship with the Lutheran Church in
America, and this in effect would weaken our position
on Sola Scriptura if we established fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church; and

Wuereas, It is evident that Freemasonry and similar
organizations are a definite challenge to Christianity and
to the doctrine of “Grace Alone” and would in effect be
a denial of the heart of the Gospel and should therefore
be actively opposed by all members of our fellowship;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the undersigned pastors of the Texas
Circuits 14 and 15 of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod plead with the President of the Synod not to
declare altar and pulpit fellowship with The American
Lutheran Church at the 1969 Denver convention; and be
it further

Resolved, To request the 1969 Denver convention of
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to refer this
matter to the local congregations for much closer study
and for a referendum of the congregations to be carried
out before the 1971 convention of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod.

Rev. T. H. GRAALMANN

Rev. ANDREW SZEGEDIN Sr.

Rev. THEODORE W. SCHUBKEGEL

Rev. G. W. HEINEMEIER

Rev. E, F. LANGE

Rev. Cart Bar

Rev. Emit F. KruGuer

Rev. R. M. FRIELING

Rev. L. KarcHer

Rev. LAVERNE JOHN Fitcu, Secretary

(3-50)
To Decide Fellowship Issue
Through Congregational Referendum

Whereas, A resolution of our Synod requests each
congregation to study the matter of fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church; and

Whereas, Each congregation should be encouraged to
consider these important matters for our church and
the implications for the congregations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the members of the Lutheran Church
of St. John, Quincy, Hl, memorialize the Synod at its
Denver convention that before we declare fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church the matter for de-

cision be placed before the member congregations for

referendum vote. 1 yryeran CHURCH OF ST. JOHN

Quincy, Ill.

Lester KAuFrMAn, Chairman

ELMER HOuzcGRAEFE, Secretary

Rev. HERBERT W. HALLERBERG, Pastor

(3-51)
To Submit Fellowship Matter
to Congregational Referendum

Wuereas, The July 1969 convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod is being asked to declare
altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church; and

Wuereas, The 1968 general convention of The ALC
“Resolved, That the American Lutheran Church declare
altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church
in America,” thereby altering the situation that existed
in July 1967 when Resolution 3-21 was passed at the
New York convention; and

WuerEas, There is evidence that a considerable num-
ber of the congregations of the LCMS are opposed to
such fellowship on the grounds that some officials,
pastors, and professors within The ALC reject the
Scriptural doctrine of the inerrancy of the Bible and
are not dealt with accordingly; and

Wuereas, The ALC and the LCMS hold divergent
views regarding membership in anti-Christian lodges;
and

WHEREAS, Each congregation within the LCMS should
have an opportunity to vote on whether or not the
LCMS should declare fellowship with The ALC; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the 1969 Denver convention of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod submit the matter
of altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lu-
theran Church to a congregational referendum.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCK
Columbia, Tenn.

J. Roy Hatt, President
Cuartes McNIcHOLs, Secretary
R. L. Garser, Pastor

(3-52)

To Conduct Referendum on Fellowship
with ALC
Wuereas, The July 1969 convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod is being asked to declare

altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church; and

Wuereas, Altar and pulpit fellowship means that —

1) congregations of the synods may hold joint worship
services;

2) pastors of one synod may preach from the pulpits of
congregations in the other synod;

3) members in good standing in one synod may com-