# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S125
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 125

Wuereas, The words “Lay Diaconate” are a new
term; therefore be it

Resolved, That the maker of Overture 2-95 submit
to the CTCR a more definitive description of the “Lay
Diaconate” for evaluation and recommendation.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Continue Ecumenical Dialogs
RESOLUTION 2-45

Report 2-01, Il; Overtures 2-164, 2-169 (CW, pp. 36, 94
to 95)

Wuereas, The CTCR has recommended “that the
Synod encourage its members to continue their interest
and participation in all ecumenical dialogs”; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge with thanks-
giving to God the blessings reached thus far in both
the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogs, as well as the
dialogs with other bodies in the Christian world; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod continue to participate on
every level in ecumenical dialogs that permit a clear

witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth in
the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Affirm the Inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures
RESOLUTION 2-46
Overtures 2-78A—B, 2-79, 2-80 (CW, p. 70)

Wuereas, The Synod has repeatedly affirmed the in-
spiration and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, the
source and norm of all theology; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its confession that
the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of
God; and be it also

Resolved, That the members of the Synod be alerted
to “The Theses of Agreement and Inerrancy” of the
Australian Lutheran Church (distributed recently by
the CTCR) for study and reflection on this historic
Lutheran doctrine.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Call for Unity of the Church in Mission
RESOLUTION 2-47
Overtures 2-12, 2-13, 2-30, 2-103 (CW, pp. 51—52, 57, 77)

Wuereas, It is incumbent upon all Christians to live
together in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of
peace (Eph. 4:3); and

Wuereas, One of the stated objects of the Synod is

“the conservation and promotion of the unity of the true
faith (Eph. 4:3-6, 1 Cor.1:10) and a united defense
against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)”; and

Wuereas, Unity of spirit and purpose among mem-
bers of the Synod is essential if the Synod is to pursue
its mission in joyful obedience to our Lord’s command
(Matt. 28:19); therefore be it

Resolved, That members of the Synod repent of the
divisiveness which has hindered our church’s unified
witness to the Gospel of Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Synod deal with one
another in Christian love so that we may continue to
enjoy a spirit of unity and harmony which has been
our heritage for 125 years; and be it finally

Resolved, That members of the Synod implore the
Holy Spirit to unite us in dedicated and joyful procla-
mation of the Gospel of Christ.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Answer Protests
RESOLUTION 2-48
Report 2-01, Il, A (CW, p. 34)

The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Germany
and the Evangelical Lutheran Church — Synod of
France and Belgium expressed concern about alleged
doctrinal aberrations in our church body (1971 Pro-
ceedings, Resolutions 11-10, 3-25; pp. 222—223). The
Synod of France and Belgium continues in a state of
protest. The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church is now
a part of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Free
Church in Germany. The new group of three Free
churches in Germany has not entered a protest.

Wuereas, The Synod of France and Belgium con-
tinues in a state of protest; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
desires to maintain fellowship with the Synod of France
and Belgium; therefore be it

Resolved, That we assure our sister church of our
continued fidelity to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions and entreat the Synod of France and Bel-
gium to continue the bond of fellowship with which God
has blessed us.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Establish a Task Force
to Study Women’s Role

RESOLUTION 2-49
Report 2-01, 6, Overtures 2-43, 2-44, 2-45, 2-46 (CW,
pp. 31, 61—63)

Wuereas, Both the Denver (1969) and Milwaukee
(1971) conventions of The Lutheran Church — Missouri