# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S133
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 133

mendations to the 1973 convention regarding such fel-
lowship; and be it also .

Resolved, That in the interim we reaffirm Resolution
3-18 of the Denver convention regarding selective fel-

lowship (1969 Proceedings, p. 101).
Action: Adopted (13).:

(In Session 9 an amendment was offered to substitute
Denver Resolution 3-18 for the resolveds but with the word
“urge” changed to “require.” Since the constitutionality of
such a resolution was questioned, it was resolved to post-
pone action until the end of the following day to permit the
floor committee to consult with the Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters. After the Commission reported in Ses-
sion 13 that the contemplated amendment would raise serious
constitutional questions, the amendment was voted down and
the original resolution adopted.)

To Decline Overture Prohibiting
Production of Joint Statements
and Materials
RESOLUTION 3-12
Overture 3-285 (CW, p. 190)

Whereas, Overture 3-285 does not provide explicit
instructions which can be implemented by Synod; and

Wuereas, The Handbook of the Synod clearly out-
lines the directives which guide officials, boards, com-
missions, etc., of Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overture
3-285.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Decline to Establish a New Approach
to Fellowship
RESOLUTION 3-13
Overture 3-300 (CW, p. 194)

Wuereas, The confessional basis for historical Lu-
theranism and in particular The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod has been the Holy Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions as contained in the Book of
Concord, 1580; and

Wuereas, Our Synod has found these Confessions to
be a sufficient basis for approaching the matter of fel-
lowship; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overture
3-300.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Encourage Continued Discussion
with Lutheran Church in America
RESOLUTION 3-14

Report 2-01, II, B, 9; Overtures 3-76, 3-241—3-269, 3-287,
3-289, 3-292, 3-307 (CW, pp. 33, 34, 148, 183—187, 190,
191, 197)

Wuereas, Officials of The Lutheran Church — Mis-

souri Synod have attempted to engage the Lutheran
Church in America in doctrinal discussions with regard
to altar and pulpit fellowship; and

WueERrEAS, The discussions held since the Denver
convention were only of an unofficial nature; and

Wuereas, Official doctrinal discussions with the LCA
have been inhibited by its traditional position that
formal doctrinal talks are unnecessary for church
bodies subscribing to the same confessions (CTCR Re-
port, 1969, CW, p. 61); therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank God for the informal dis-
cussions which have been held between The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church in
America; and be it further

Resolved, That we ask the President of the Synod
in conjunction with the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations to assure the Lutheran Church in
America of our readiness to meet officially with a view
toward finding the agreement in doctrine necessary
for the establishment of altar and pulpit fellowship;
and be it finally

Resolved, That no action be taken on overtures.
insofar as they refer to altar and pulpit fellowship.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Decline Revision of Bylaws
Regarding LCUSA Appointments
RESOLUTION 3-15

Overture 3-305 (CW, p. 197)

Wuereas, Bylaws 2.175 c 12 (Handbook, p. 76) and
16.01b (Handbook, p. 216) are deemed sufficient at
this time; and

Wuereas, The revision of the Bylaws in accordance
with the concerns of this overture would require undue

and unnecessary revision of the synodical administrative
structure; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overture
3-305.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Encourage Study Regarding
Anti-Christian Oganizations
RESOLUTION 3-16

Report 2-01, B, 12 (CW, p. 34)

Wuereas, At the request of the President of the
Synod in consultation with the Synod’s Commission
on Theology and Church Relations, the Division of
Theological Studies of the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A. initiated a Consultation on Anti-Christian Or-
ganizations (1969 CW, p. 60); and

Wuereas, The consultation did produce a report
(CW, p. 40); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod express its appreciation for