# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S43 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 43 rescinding fellowship with The American Lutheran Church. It was his belief that we can get along without being together but that God has called us to a life together. He also expressed his belief that the words “Gospel and all its articles” is a mischievous phrase, since it is impossible on that basis to arrive at complete uniformity of doctrine and practice. He also expressed his regret that The American Lutheran Church and other Lutheran bodies would be walking together on a path toward unity without the LCMS. He assured the delegates in closing that the doors, hearts, and arms of fellowship would always be open to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Theology and Church Relations Chairman Cloeter of the Floor Committee on Theo!l- ogy and Church Relations reintroduced the discussion of Res. 3-06. Discussion began with regard to an amend- ment which had been offered from the floor the last time the resolution was under consideration. Respond- ing to the objection of a delegate that the proposed amendment was not germane to the resolution and was improper, the Chair ruled the amendment out of order. An amendment asking that the second, third, and fourth resolveds of Overture 3-80 (CW 185) and a final resolved which stated, “Resolved, That the Synod pub- lish the responses to the poll in the Lutheran Witness no later than six months prior to the next convention of the Synod” was offered to the convention. After some discussion, this amendment was declined. Res. 3-06(TB 69) was then adopted, assuring The American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Ev. Lutheran Churches of the continuing desires of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to seek agreement in Biblical and confessional doctrine and practice whether these church bodies continue to exist as individual denominations or in a new organiza- tional structure. A resolution was offered from the floor calling for the adoption of the guidelines for implementing the suspension of fellowship with The American Lutheran Church which had appeared in the President’s Report found on pages 201 ff. of Today’s Business. During the discussion, President Albert Marcis, chairman of the Guidelines Committee, addressed the delegates stating that in preparation of these guidelines the committee had hoped to be helpful and to assist the Synod in a Positive way. Responding to a point of order that the resolution was not in keeping with Bylaw 1.27, the Chair sustained the objection which was made and the resolution was removed from consideration. A resolution calling for the continuation of fellow- ship discussions with the Ev. Lutheran in Canada was adopted (Res. 3-07, TB70). It also asked that appropriate recommendations regarding this matter be made to the next. synodical convention through the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. By adopting Res. 3-20 (TB 75) the convention instructed its President to request the division of theological studies of LCUSA to place on the division’s agenda as a matter of urgency a thorough discussion of far-reaching implications of historical criticism as practiced in U.S. Lutheranism. They further resolved that the Synod should invite the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod, the Ev. Lutheran Synod, and the Ev. Lutheran Federation to engage in doctrinal discussions intended to lead toward declara- tions of pulpit and altar fellowship (Res. 3-08, TB 70). Closing Devotions Professor Dan Pokorny of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, led the delegates in the closing devotion. He used as his text the words which were used for the first deaf sermon, “God is Love.” The devotion was presented orally as well as in sign language, and the delegates were taught to pray the prayer “God, make me a lover” by means of sign language. Session 10 July 8, Afternoon Opening Devotions Dr. August Suelflow once again led the delegates in the opening devotion. He asked them to join him in the singing of “There Still Is Room” and in his remarks focused on evangelism within The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. He especially singled out Dr. Wyneken, who, although he did not know the word evangelism, was an excellent example of one who was vitally concerned with getting the word of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ out to those who did not know it. Citing examples of some of the hardships which he faced, he then quoted from some of the words of Dr. Wyneken which reflected this concern. After the closing prayer and benediction the delegates joined in the singing of the second stanza of “Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying.” Statement Dr. Karl Barth was granted the privilege of address- ing the delegates to express regret for statements which were made from the podium which implied that several District Presidents were not supportive of the Synod. He expressed his trust in these men and explained to the delegates that the guidelines for implementing the suspension of fellowship with the ALC were never intended to be brought to the convention for action but were intended to be supportive of leaders of the Districts as they carried out their responsibilities. Minutes Before presenting the Minutes of Session 5 and 6 for approval the Convention Secretary reported that the statement of floor committee chairman Cloeter, of the Floor Committee on Theology and Church Relations, issued prior to the introduction of the resolution to rescind fellowship with The American Lutheran Church, would be included in the next issue of Today’s Business. The Minutes of Session 5 and 6 were then approved, since no substantive changes were offered from the floor.