# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S133
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CHURCH RELATIONS 133

greatest importance”) and that 93 percent considered
the doctrine of “the verbal and plenary inspiration of
the Bible” at least “of great importance” (73 percent
considered it “of greatest importance”); and

Wuereas, The preceding examples are cited both to
demonstrate that there is scientific basis for doubt con-
cerning the existence of sufficient consensus, as well as
to contend that the true state of affairs regarding con-
sensus in doctrine and practice can be rather accurately
determined through scientific methodology and accepted
survey techniques; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod, assembled in convention at Denver in A. D. 1969,
postpone the decision on fellowship with The American
Lutheran Church until such a time that it can be dem-
onstrated, through the use of scientifically valid and
reliable evidence, that sufficient consensus does in fact
exist in the current beliefs and practices o/ the respec-
tive clergy and laity involved.

TRINITY Ev. LUTHERAN CHURCH
Los Angeles, Calif.

Dr. SHau Wa Cuan, President
Tuomas L. JONEs, Secretary

(3-101)

To Postpone Fellowship
Until Certain Conditions Are Met

Wuereas, There are doubts about The American Lu-
theran Church teaching the infallibility and inerrancy
of the Scriptures; and

Whereas, There are unresolved differences, particu-
larly with respect to synergism; and

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church practices
virtual fellowship with the Lutheran Church in Amer-
ica; and

Wuereas, The ecumenical issue of involvement in
the Lutheran World Federation, the World Council of
Churches, and possibly also the National Council of
Churches has not been clearly settled; and

Wuereas, Diversities of practice still exist as far as
membership in fraternal organizations is concerned; and

Whereas, The matter of lodgery is a real roadblock
to fellowship; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod not enter into altar and pulpit fellowship with
The American Lutheran Church as long as there are
doubts as to The American Lutheran Church’s position
and teaching of the infallibility and inerrancy of Scrip-
ture; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod not enter into altar and pulpit fellowship with
The American Lutheran Church until the roadblock of
fraternal organizations is removed.

Mount CaAtvary LUTHERAN CHURCH
Holdrege, Nebr.

Victor MEIER, Secretary

V. W. Brack, Pastor

(3-102)

To Defer Fellowship
but to Continue Efforts

Wuereas, Full agreement in doctrine and Scriptural
practice is necessary for a God-pleasing pulpit and altar
fellowship; and

Wuereas, In our studied opinion there is not suffi-
cient and adequate unity with The American Lutheran
Church in doctrine and practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That we ask the Synod to defer altar and
pulpit fellowship at this time; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod be asked to institute long-
range efforts on all levels to produce, under the Spirit’s
guidance, a clear and manifest unity in doctrine and
Scriptural practice so that both churches may at a fu-
ture day, under God, enter fellowship with joy and

unanimity.
y NaZARETH LUTHERAN CHURCH

Buffalo, N. Y.
Donatp J. Sampson, Secretary
(3-103)

To Defer to Next Convention and to
Establish Limited, Temporary Fellowship

Wuereas, The dialog over the past several years be-
tween The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and The
American Lutheran Church concerning the question of
altar and pulpit fellowship has indicated that a doc-
trinal consensus exists between our respective church
bodies but that the question of how the proposed fel-
lowship will affect our laity has not been fully ex-
plored; and

Wuereas, The reaction of laymen within the local
congregation indicates that the time period for con-
sideration of the question has been insufficient for
proper understanding of this question, though members
of a church intending to share Altar and Pulpit fellow-
ship should be well informed with regard to the princi-
ples and implications thereof; and

Wuereas, Our members’ present lack of understand-
ing of this question and its implications has interjected
among our members an adverse uneasiness which could
cause a deep alienation and probable loss of member-
ship; and

Wuereas, Not to properly understand the question
of fellowship is to oppose it; therefore be it

Resolved, That this question be deferred until the
next synodical convention; and be it further

Resolved, That during this period increased lay par-
ticipation be encouraged between the respective church
bodies and that limited forms of a temporary fellowship
be established to afford a more complete exposure; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the Synodical President be directed
to continue to make available information regarding the
question to local congregations and encourage the con-