# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S135
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CHURCH RELATIONS 135

(3-107)

To Defer Fellowship
but to Continue Working

Wuereas, It was the intent of Resolution 3-23 enacted
by the synodical convention of July 1967, meeting in
New York, that the representatives and officials of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and The American
Lutheran Church should strive for “a unified evangeli-
cal position and practice in areas of church life where
disturbing diversities still exist, particularly in refer-
ence to unchristian and anti-Christian societies’; and

Wuereas, It is apparent after some study and discus-
sion with the clergy and laity of The American Lutheran
Church that such disturbing diversities do really exist
in the area of Biblical interpretation, lodge principles
and practices, and ecumenical practices (e.g., affiliation
with the LWF and WCC) and that such diversities can
only prove detrimental to the proposed pulpit and altar
fellowship and harmful to our already divided Synod;
and

Wuereas, Sufficient time has not been allotted the
congregations of both synods to study the ramifications
of the proposed pulpit and altar fellowship and to re-
solve the diversities that really divide us and prevent
us from practicing true Christian fellowship in the
visible church (e.g., the lodge issue in particular):
therefore be it

Resolved, That we, the voting members of Peace
Lutheran Congregation, Neenah, Wis., submit this reso-
lution that The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
meeting in convention at Denver in 1969, defer the
declaration of pulpit and altar fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church at this time; and be it
further

Resolved, That Synod instruct its constituent congre-
gations to continue their serious study of the full impli-
cations of the proposed pulpit and altar fellowship with
The American Lutheran Church (especially as it re-
lates to the Lutheran Church in America, with whom
The American Lutheran Church has established such
fellowship) and to meet with the representatives of
The American Lutheran Church in order to resolve
the diversities that presently divide us, working dili-
gently toward the ultimate goal of fellowship.

PEACE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION
Neenah, Wis.

Witiram H. Vocter, Chairman
DonaLp R. NETZEL, Secretary
KENNETH WESSEL, Pastor

(3-108)

To Defer Action Until Unity
Becomes a Reality
Whereas, The 1967 convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod directed its President with

the Council of Presidents to make appropriate recom-
mendations at its 1969 convention on entering altar and

pulpit fellowship with the American Lutheran Church;
and
Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church has in
the meantime entered into altar and pulpit fellowship
with the Lutheran Church in America: and
Wuereas, The Missouri Synod now faces a changed
situation in which establishing altar and pulpit fellow-
ship with the American Lutheran Church at this time
would virtually establish the same relationship with
the Lutheran Church in America: and
Wuereas, No official or formal consultations have
thus far taken place between the Lutheran Church in
America and The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod;
and
Wuereas, This triangular situation presents an in-
complete and confused picture and urgently needs
further prayerful thought and consideration; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the 1969 convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod defer action on the matter
at Denver until such time as doctrinal unity with the
Lutheran Church in America will have become a reality.
Pastors oF ATLANTIC CIRCUIT
Iowa District West
W. Harvey MIcHAELs, Secretary

(3-109)

To Defer Action on Fellowship

Wuereas, There has not been sufficient time to dis-
cuss all the areas of Christian doctrine, both on the
part of the pastors and on the part of the laymen, to
determine whether there is a consensus: and

Wuereas, Confusion has been created in the minds
of pastors and laymen because of the fact that The
American Lutheran Church at its Omaha convention
offered to enter into fellowship not only with The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod but also with the Lu-
theran Church of America; and

Wuereas, The issue of membership in Christless
secret societies has not been clarified; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully petition the delegates
of the convention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod assembled at Denver, Colo., July 11—19, 1969, to
defer any action to establish pulpit and altar fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church.

BreTHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Milwaukee, Wis.
Norman KowentT, Secretary

(3-110)

To Defer Fellowship and to Make Survey
on Two Positions on Scripture

WuereEas, We feel it is safe to assume that in Christ
the heart desire of all of us is to be guided by the Words
of St. Paul, “with longsuffering, forbearing one another
in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace’; and