# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S226
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

226 HIGHER EDUCATION

actions and teachings are in accord with the clear teachings of the
Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

Our Redeemer
Forsyth, IL

5-62

To Remove RSO Recognition
from Valparaiso University

WuerEAS, Point A of synodical Bylaw 14.03, “Recognized Ser-
vice Organizations,” (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod states: “The granting of recognition by the Synod signifies
that a service organization, while independent of the Synod, fos-
ters the mission and ministry of the church, engages in program ac-
tivity that is in harmony with the programs of the boards of the
Synod, and respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and
practice of the Synod”; and

Whereas, Valparaiso University is not listed specifically in The
Lutheran Annual as an RSO entity, though it is implied to be rec-
ognized as such; and

WHEREAS, Valparaiso University has its own heading in The
Lutheran Annual under “Higher Education,” which leads one to
wonder if our own synodical schools are considered less in educa-
tional importance; and

WuereEas, The ELCA, in blatant disregard for the Word of God
ordains women and has recently agreed to altar and pulpit fellow-
ship with the Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ,

and the Reformed Church in America; and

WHEREAS, The ELCA has been invited by Valparaiso Univer-
sity to sponsor and conduct worship services at the university
chapel; and

WHEREAS, Valparaiso University, by allowing such practices,
condones false doctrine; and

Wuereas, Valparaiso University, as stated in their general cat-
alog, page 5, is “under neither the control nor the authority of any
church body .. . the University is an independent institution owned
and operated by The Lutheran University Association . . .” thus,
not the Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, Valparaiso University’s president, dean of chapel, as
well as some LCMS professors are listed on the official clergy ros-
ter of the LCMS as serving a “Recognized Service Organization”
(RSO); and .

Wuereas, The Indiana District has already removed itself from
recognizing Valparaiso University because of the university’s en-
dorsement of a homosexual student group (GALA); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
1998 convention withdraw all official recognition from Valparaiso

University, its implied and/or official RSO status, including its list-
ing in The Lutheran Annual and other synodical publications.

St. Paul, Chesterton, IN; Trinity, Westville, IN

5-63

To Address Recognition of Valparaiso University

WuerEAS, The doctrine and practice of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod is to hold without reservation to the “Scriptures of
the Old and New Testament as the written Word of God and the
only rule and norm of faith and of practice; [and] all the Symbolical
Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulter-
ated statement and exposition of the Word of God” (Constitution,
Art. ID); and

WuereEAs, Dr. Barry has identified in the February 1997 LCMS
President’s newsletter that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) holds to a differing view of the Word of God than
the Missouri Synod, such as: “That Scripture is not necessarily al-
ways accurate or trustworthy .. . makes use of methods of inter-
preting the Scripture that presupposes that the Bible is not neces-
sarily an errorless book . . . [and further, of the Symbolical Books
in the Book of Concord] not as doctrinally binding statements of
faith that require unqualified assent”; and

WHEREAS, The ELCA, in blatant disregard for the Word of God
ordains women and has recently agreed to altar and pulpit fellow-
ship with the Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ,
and the Reformed Church in America; and

WHEREAS, The ELCA has been invited by Valparaiso Univer-
sity to sponsor and conduct worship services at the university
chapel; and

Wuereas, Valparaiso University, by allowing such practices,
condones false doctrine; and

WHEREAS, Valparaiso University, as stated in their general cat-
alog, page 5, is “under neither the control nor the authority of any
church body...the University is an independent institution owned
and operated by The Lutheran University Association...” thus, not
the Missouri Synod; and

WuerEAS, The Indiana District has already removed itself from
recognizing Valparaiso University because of the university’s en-
dorsement of a homosexual student group (GALA); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
1998 convention withdraw all official recognition from Valparaiso
University, including its listing and advertisement in The Lutheran
Annual and other synodical publications, its right to appeal for
funds among Missouri Synod congregations or auxiliary organiza-
tions, and to wam the membership of Synod against supporting the
university with students or funds.

St. Paul, Chesterton, IN; Trinity, Westville, IN