# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S148
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

148 CHURCH RELATIONS

(3-148)

To Explore Differences with ALC and LCA
Before Entering Fellowship

Wuereas, It is apparent that definite differences con-
tinue to exist as in the past between the LCMS and The
ALC in regards to certain practices and doctrinal teach-
ings; and

Wuereas, The ALC at its 1968 convention declared
fellowship with LCA at a time when the LCMS had
not entered into any discussion with the LCA to eval-
uate and resolve differences and, further, at a time
when the LCMS had not contemplated entering into
fellowship with the LCA; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS refrain from entering into
fellowship with The ALC in order to allow for con-
tinued efforts to produce workable and God-pleasing
solutions for the differences which exist; and be it
further

Resolved, That in the event the LCMS should con-
sider entering into fellowship with the LCA, it first con-
vene with it in order to explore and study its doctrinal
teachings and outward practices to determine whether
or not they conform with those of the LCMS.

Our Savior LUTHERAN CONGREGATION

Tacoma, Wash.

ARNOLD HENpRICKSON, Chairman
(3-149)

To Hold Up Fellowship and Begin Discussions
with Both ALC and LCA

Wuereas, The ALC will almost automatically be in
fellowship with the LCA; therefore be it

Resolved, That we hold up fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church now and begin fellowship
discussions with both The ALC and the LCA as we did
in 1960 when The ALC combined.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
Flandreau, S. Dak.
Avo.tF Beyer, Elder
BEN G. Arxts, Elder
GerorGE RE tr, Elder
(3-150)

To Decline Fellowship at This Time

WuerEAS, More time is needed on the grass-roots
level with respect to “doctrinal consensus,” that there
be no divisions once pulpit and altar fellowship is en-
tered into between our Synod and The American Lu-
theran Church; and

Whereas, The whole question has been complicated
when the American Lutheran Church in its last con-
vention extended the hand of altar and pulpit fellowship
to the Lutheran Church in America, with whom negoti-
ations have not been ordered by convention; and

Wuereas, Official statements in The American Lu-
theran Church’s “Doctrinal Concerns” need clarification
because they affect the fellowship question; and

Wuereas, The lodge question remains a matter of
deepest concern to the rank-and-file membership, noth-
ing having appeared officially to date indicating how
“practice differences” will be resolved; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod decline altar and pulpit fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church at this time; and be it
further

Resolved, That we continue efforts toward a God-
pleasing union on the basis of an unqualified acceptance
of the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions of the Lu-
theran Church as a correct exposition of the doctrine

of the Word. Mount Ouive LuTHERAN CHURCH

Houston, Tex.
PRENTICE JEULKE, Secretary

(3-151)

To Decline Fellowship with The ALC
at This Time

Wuereas, We feel there are still serious roadblocks
to fellowship with The ALC; and

Whereas, We feel that the three essays on Sola
Gratia, Sola Scriptura, and the doctrine of the church
are not completely relevant to the problems; and

Wuereas, We feel that, doctrinally, the questions of
conversion and the Holy Scriptures are critical areas
where there are problems that must be resolved; and

Wuereas, Particularly in the area of lodge practice
there would be confusion and real difficulties; and

Wuereas, Declaring fellowship now would not be a
real blessing but would cause divisions among the mem-
bers of our own Synod, which would be harmful to
the Kingdom at large; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod decline altar and pulpit
fellowship with The American Lutheran Church at this

time. Hope LuTHERAN CHURCH

Glendora, Calif.
Petre L, Pecarovicu, President
WititiamM M. Banks, Secretary

(3-152)
Not to Enter into Fellowship
at This Convention
WHEREAS, Discussions with pastors and lay people of
The American Lutheran Church, as requested by the

New York convention of the Synod, have only recently
been initiated in many areas of the land; and

Wuereas, Such discussions have uncovered wide
differences in the practice of close Communion, union-
ism, church discipline, and lodge affiliation which need
to be resolved; and

Wuereas, There is need for clarification of some
articles of faith, such as the inspiration and inerrancy
of Holy Scripture; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod not enter into altar and