# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S125 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 125 3. THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS To Promote Concord and Conciliation “That We May Grow’’ RESOLUTION 3-01 Report 3-01, 1, B, 12; IV (CW, pp. 41, 47-48); Overtures 3-11—3-20C, 3-23—3-27, 3-29A—3- 31B, 3-33—3-47, 3-49A—3-51C (CW pp. 73—84) WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures teach that God- pleasing concord and harmony in the church are to be found in doctrinal unity and that doctrinal disagree- ment engenders strife (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:23, Titus 1:9); and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions teach that preservation of pure doctrine and concord in the church require not only the maintenance of sound teaching but also defense against those who would teach otherwise (FC SD Summ. 1, 10); and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was formed in order to promote the unit of the true faith and to enable each member to edify his fellow members and assist them to avoid doctrinal indifference, chaos, and schism, both through: a) subscription by all members of the Synod to Article II of its Constitution, and b) formulation of doctrinal statements dealing with contemporary issues at controversy, such as “A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles” (N. O. 2-21, 3-01) as repeatedly affirmed in synodical convention (Milw. 2-21, 5-24; Anah. 3-04) and by a decision of its Commission on Constitutional Matters (Anah. CW, p. 205, IV-D); and WHEREAS, The Synod has been engaged in bitter controversy over theology and doctrine; therefore be it Resolved, That all parts of the Synod now seek to lay this strife and its wrong causes aside and once more join together to the original purpose of our beloved church; and be it further Resolved, That the whole church recognize that humility and concord require of us cooperation within the formal structures of the Synod and its constituted authorities, especially in its efforts to foster and to further pure and sound doctrine and study; and be it Resolved, That the people of God in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod happily and earnestly seek to live in peace and concord under the Holy Scriptures and the Luthern Confessions, full of power for Christ’s mission as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work within them through the means of grace; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention urgently request congregations, pastors, and teachers of the Synod to support the studies and programs in “That We May Grow” in the strongest possible way with their Prayers and participation; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod adopt the following goals of the “That We May Grow” program: 1. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod intensify their study of the Holy Scriptures together, trusting the Holy Spirit to increase and enrich their personal faith; 2. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod intensify their efforts to identify, discuss, and resolve the theological issues that trouble us; 3. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod grow in their ability to translate what the Holy Scriptures teach about the mission of Christ’s church into concrete ministries; 4. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod study the Lutheran Confessions, grow in understanding and appreciation for their continued relevance, and praise God for 400 years of Lutheran heritage; 5. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod as fellow members of the body of Christ grow in the fulfilling of their loving responsibility for one another as they confront their problems and challenges; and be it finally Resolved, That in this way, as well as in services of thanksgiving and praise, we express our gratitude to God for the precious heritage of the Sacred Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions in this 400th- anniversary year of the Formula of Concord. Adopted as amended (4). (This resolution was introduced in Session 2. An amend- ment to delete (b) from the third whereas was declined. However, the delegates did adopt an amendment to abbreviate the fourth whereas. Amendments were declined which would have substituted for the final words of the fifth resolve, point 2, or would have added to that point the words: “and preserve the unity that they have.” After the discussion had been continued in Session 4, the resolution was adopted as given above.) To Declare a State of “Fellowship in Protest”? with the ALC RESOLUTION 3-02A Reports 3-01, II, C; 3-05; Overtures 3-81A—C, 3- 116, 3-136A—3-161, 3-179A—B, 3-183A—3-186, 3-188A—B (CW, pp. 43—44, 69—71, 93, 103, 107— 116, 120—122) WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus desires that the members of His church express outwardly the fellowship they have with Him and with another as a part of the holy Christian church (John 17:11); and WHEREAS, Christians are to be united in what they believe and teach as they work and worship together (Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:42); and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod entered into pulpit and altar fellowship with The American Lutheran Church in 1969 with the earnest desire to “seek a unified evangelical position and practice on the basis of our commitment to the Gospel”