# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S119
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CHURCH RELATIONS 119

fellowship with The American Lutheran Church be
subject to ratification by the majority of the congrega-

tions of the Synod. First LUTHERAN CHURCH

Knoxville, Tenn.

Dr. J. O. Munpt, President

Mr. J. Pat Hinps, Secretary
(3-66)

To Submit Any and Every ALC Fellowship
Resolution to Congregational Referendum

Wuereas, Any resolution adopted by The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod dealing with the question of
fellowship with The American Lutheran Church will
involve the congregations of the Synod in doctrinal
matters; and

Wuereas, Every congregation of the LCMS reserves
to itself the right to judge the doctrinal stand of the
general body to see whether it is in conformity with
the Word of God; and

Wuereas, The congregations of the LCMS cannot
bind their representatives at the synodical conventions
to vote either affirmatively or negatively on such mat-
ters: therefore be it

Resolved, That we do herewith memorialize The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod in convention assem-
bled at Denver, Colo., in the year 1969 —

1) to submit any and every resolution adopted by the
convention dealing with fellowship with The Ameri-
can Lutheran Church to the congregations of the
Synod for a referendum vote; and

2) to consider the vote of the congregations of the
Synod binding in this matter.

Emmaus First LUTHERAN CHURCH
Alhambra, Calif.

R. E. Wosrock, Pastor

FREDERICK C. E. GeBHarpT, President
Frep Numricu, Elder

(3-67)

To Submit Any Action to Referendum

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in
convention has passed the resolution that “a basis for
fellowship exists” with The American Lutheran Church;
and

Wuereas, It has become increasingly clear that the
evidence presented for proper fellowship is not com-
plete and conclusive; and

Wuenreas, Certain preconditions for fellowship stated
in Resolution 3-23 of the New York 1967 convention
have not as yet been fully met:

That the Synod urge all its representatives and officials to
work earnestly and sincerely toward a unified evangelical
position and practice in areas of church life where dis-
turbing diversities still exist, particularly in reference to
unchristian and anti-Christian societies, through con-
tinued mutual study with the officials and representatives
of The American Lutheran Church on the basis of the
Word of God;

therefore be it

Resolved, That whatever action is suggested by the
President of the Synod together with the College of
Presidents and/or eventually taken by the general con-
vention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at
Denver in 1969 be referred to the judgment of all the
congregations through the Synod for a general referen-
dum; and be it further

Resolved, That a two-thirds (24) majority of the
congregations of the Synod be deemed necessary for
adoption of action taken at Denver on fellowship; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, in con-
junction with the Presidents of the Districts of the
Synod, allow six (6) months for congregations to ballot
on this vital issue, beginning from the date of the con-

oy .
vention's actions. ConcorDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH

San Antonio, Tex.
Gu1po MERKENS, Pastor

(3-68)

To Refer to Congregations for Referendum
Whatever Action Is Taken by the
Convention on the Fellowship Issue

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
in convention in New York in 1967 passed the resolution
that “a basis for fellowship exists” with The American
Lutheran Church; and

Wuereas, The declaration there made has proved
to be quite ambiguous in interpretation throughout the
Synod (that is to say: “Is there really agreement for
fellowship?” versus “Behold, there is agreement for
fellowship”); and

Wuereas, This ambiguity has disturbed the minds
and consciences of many of our pastors and people; and

Wuereas, A matter so serious as that of fellowship
should not be considered acted upon on the basis of any
statement so unclear, hazy, ambiguous, and open to
grave doubts; and

Wuereas, The ALC in their general convention in
Omaha on Oct. 16—22, 1968, extended the hand of altar
and pulpit fellowship not only to the LCMS but also
to the Lutheran Church in America; and

Wuereas, Our LCMS has not even discussed doc-
trinal agreement with the LCA to determine if doctrinal
unity for such fellowship does exist; and

Wuereas, A precedent has been set in the past for
submitting matters of the Synod to referendum vote:
the contemplated change of the LCMS to another name
and also the changing of synodical conventions from
a triennial schedule to a biennial schedule; and

Wuereas, Such a matter of declaring altar and pulpit
fellowship with another church body is of even weightier
significance than the changing of our synodical name or
schedule of synodical conventions; therefore be it

Resolved, That whatever action is suggested by the
President of the Synod together with the College of
Presidents and/or eventually taken by the general con-