# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S240
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

240 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

(5-31)

To Revise Congregational Constitutions

WHEREAS, It is necessary that we restate clearly and
forcefully our unequivocal faith in the Scriptural truth
that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”:
and

Wuereas, The church must understand itself as the
people of God gathered out of and sent into the world
as the body of Christ; and

Wuereas. The church must understand itself also as
an institution in society whose structure is largely de-
termined by its cultural environment to which it con-
stantly adapts itself: and

Wuereas. The structures of the congregation as re-
flected in the constitution, bylaws. and guidelines of the
local institutional church at this time do not always
adequately reflect the mission and ministry of the church
as outlined in the Mission Affirmations: therefore be it

Resolved, That the District President and or the Dis-
trict Constitution Committee ask each congregation to
make a study in depth of its purpose and theological
commitment in reference to mission and ministry: and
be it further

Resolved, That the District President and or the Dis-
trict Constitution Committee encourage each congre-
gation to make a thorough self-study of its structure,
its needs. its constitution, bylaws, and guidelines in the
light of the Mission Affirmations: and be it finally

Resolved, That in drafting such revised constitution,
bylaws. and guidelines a reasonable degree of latitude
and flexibility be encouraged to provide for relevance
and creativity as well as for a witness which is continu-
ally moving the church into the world and gathering up
the world into the church itself.

Commission ON Mission aND MINISTRY
IN THE CHURCH
Wittram S. GRAUMANN, Chairman

(5-32)

To Require Annual Subscription
to Constitution and Installation Pledge

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
has been deeply disturbed by the theological confusion
in its midst: and

Wuereas, Article II of the Constitution of the Synod
states:

Synod, and every member of Synod, accepts without
reservation:

1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament
as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm
of faith and practice:

2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and
exposition of the Word of God, to wit: the three Ecumeni-
cal Creeds (the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the
Athanasian Creed). the Unaltered Augsburg Confession,

the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald
Articles, the Large Catechism of Luther, the Small Cate-
chism of Luther, and the Formula of Concord.
and
Whereas, Article II of the Constitution has been
adopted by the Synod to express its doctrinal position:
and

Wuereas. Article VI of the Constitution of the Synod
states, in part. that conditions for acquiring and holding
membership in the Synod are:

1. Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II.

2. Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every
description. such as:

a. Serving congregations of mixed confession, as such,
by ministers of the church:

b. Taking part in the services and sacramental rites of
heterodox congregations or of congregations of mixed
confession:

c. Participating in heterodox tract and missionary ac-
tivities
and

Wuereas, Article VI of the Constitution of the Synod
has been adopted to maintain doctrinal purity and con-
fessional unity throughout the Synod: and

Wuenreas, The theological disturbance throughout the
Synod indicates that doctrinal purity and confessional
unity throughout the Synod have not been maintained:
and

Wuereas, Pastors, teachers. and professors of the
Synod have signed the Constitution of the Synod and
upon being installed into their respective offices have
been solemnly pledged to the Scriptures as the inspired
and inerrant Word of God and the Symbolical Books of
the Lutheran Church as a true exposition of the Scrip-
tures for the purpose of maintaining doctrinal purity
and confessional unity throughout the Synod: and

Wuereas, The theological disturbance throughout the
Synod indicates that some members of the Synod do not
hold the theological positions to which they have com-
mitted themselves at the time of their ordination and or
installation: and

Wuereas, It can happen. and indeed has happened.
that pastors. teachers, and professors have changed their
doctrinal position after their ordination and or installa-
tion: therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod, in convention at Denver. authorize the Districts
of the Synod to require all pastors, teachers. and pro-
fessors within their respective Districts annually to sub-
scribe to their installation pledge and to Articles II and
VI of the Constitution of the Synod: and be it further

Resolved, That the above subscription be considered
a declaration of intention to honor and uphold the doc-
trinal position of the Synod as expressed in its Consti-
tution and synodically adopted doctrinal statements as
long as they remain members of the Synod.

Rev. H. C. VoEce
Scottville, Mich.