# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S120
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

120 CHURCH RELATIONS

vention at Denver in 1969 be then referred to all the
congregations throughout Synod for a general referen-
dum, that the action taken be truly the voice of the
whole Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the wording of this referendum ballot
be so structured that any congregation abstaining from
a vote on this referendum ballot of altar and pulpit fel-
lowship be automatically counted as a vote against altar
and pulpit fellowship.
ZION LUTHERAN CONGREGATION
Chicago, IIl.
PAauL GERGOLLA, Recording Secretary
Davip V. Dissen, Pastor

(3-69)

To Subject Any Decision For or Against
Fellowship to Ratification by Two-Thirds
of the Congregations

Wuereas, The matter of altar and pulpit fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church is of grave im-
portance to all the congregations of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, A referendum will give every congrega-
tion the opportunity individually to ratify the action of
the synodical convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Iowa District West, in its conven-
tion at the Walther League Camp, Lake Okoboji, Aug.
25—30, 1968, memorialize the general convention of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, meeting in Denver,
that any decision made by the Synod for or against
altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church be subject to ratification requiring a positive
vote of two thirds (2/3) of the congregations of the
LCMS within six (6) months after the decision.

Iowa District WEST
D. E. Weiss, Secretary

(3-70)

To Require 3’4 Referendum Majority

Wuereas, There may be serious disagreement among
the members of the Synod regarding the important
matter of pulpit and altar fellowship with The American
Lutheran Church; and

Whereas, The booklet Toward Fellowship points
out that Resolution 3-23 of the synodical convention in
New York does not “call either for a vote at District
conventions or for a referendum among the members
of Synod”; and

Wuereas, We feel that the broadest possible base
for any decision regarding this matter of pulpit and altar
fellowship is desirable if we are to avoid further dis-
unity in the ranks of our Synod; and

WHEREAS, Synodical procedure does not permit us to
instruct our delegates to synodical conventions as to
how they are to vote; therefore be it

Resolved, That if the officials of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod recommend that pulpit and

altar fellowship be established between The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod and The American Lutheran
Church, this matter be submitted to the members of
the Synod to be decided by referendum; and be it
further

Resolved, That such referendum show a 3/4 majority
of the Synod’s congregations voting affirmatively before
such above-mentioned fellowship be established.

EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Britton, Mich.

JOSEPH SCHAFER, Chairman
DonaLp SCHROEDER, Secretary

(3-71)

To Refer Favorable Convention Decision
for Fellowship to Congregations
for Referendum Vote

Wuereas, A delegate convention of the Synod may
not reflect the true feelings of constituent congregations,
since the congregations do not require convention dele-
gates to vote in accordance with specific instructions;
and

WHEREAS, The Office of the Keys is given especially
to every local congregation; and

Wuereas, The Synod, according to its Constitution,
is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative
or coercive powers but is an advisory body; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the decision to enter into altar and
pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran Church
— when favored by the convention of the Synod — be
referred to the congregations of the Synod for a refer-

endum vote.
St. JoHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Ottertail, Minn.
Arcit Luepers, Secretary

(3-72)

To Submit Affirmative Convention
Decision on Fellowship
to Congregational Referendum

WuerEAS, There is such a difference of conviction
in regard to the matter of altar and pulpit fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church: and

Wuereas, The booklet Toward Fellowship (p. 8)
stated: “The resolution does not call either for a vote
at District conventions or for a referendum among the
members of Synod”; and

Wuereas, If this procedure is maintained it has the
effect of completely binding our hands as individual
congregations in this momentous decision: and

WuerEas, Here we are advised not to vote prior
to the 1969 Denver convention; and

Wuereas, After said convention it will be too late
to vote; and

WHEREAS, Synodical procedure does not permit us to