# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1930_S72
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

72 Proceedings of the thirty-second convention

[The German passages on this page are translated; the English passages are printed in English and given verbatim.]

itself to decide; yet it should take good care not to sin against love.

Where a change of synodical affiliation within the circle of orthodox synods is concerned, a congregation must not lose sight of the fact that it is bound to its previous synod by a special bond, and that therefore in the dissolution of such a relationship the commandment of love comes into consideration in a special way. It should therefore make use of its right only when guided by the weightiest reasons and in Christian order, so that it does not abuse its right. (S.-K. 14 [1892], 51-52.) [S.-K. = Synodalkonferenz Proceedings]

IV. Authority.

The Synodical Conference is merely an advisory body in all matters in which decisive authority has not been conferred upon it by all the synods constituting it; only the entirety of the synods represented in it has to decide on the admission of church bodies into the federation of the Synodical Conference, and such admission can therefore take place only by the concurring resolution of all the associated synods. It has to see to it that regular mixed pastoral conferences are established and held through the mediation of the respective district presidents. Without the consent of all the synods represented in the Synodical Conference, none of them can enter into church-law ties with other church bodies.

Explanations of § IV.
(Synodal Handbook, p. 144.)

Of "decisive authority" in matters of doctrine and of conscience there can of course be no question. -- In all other matters each individual synod is sufficiently secured by the fact that it can withhold its consent to the conferring of such authority.

A "church tie" has occurred where one synod has given the other the right to take part in deciding in matters of constitution or of administration. (S.-K. 1 [1872], 74.)

[Printed in English:]

Adopted.

Conference resolved to ask the former committee, consisting of
President Pfotenhauer, President Bergemann, Vice-President Schlue-
ter, and President Daib, to prepare an authentic English translation
of the “Modus Procedendi in Intersynodical Controversies” for pub-
lication in the Report of the Synodical Conference.

Report of Committee on the Crete Case.

(Committee: Pastors M. W. H. Holls, A. v. Schlichten, J. H. Paustian,
A. Schumann; Teacher A. J. Felten.)

[German; translation:]

Your Committee, which was to examine the submission concerning the Crete matter, permits itself to recommend the following:

1. We must express our deep regret that after years of negotiations this matter has still not come to a conclusion.

2. We cannot share the view put forward in the submission that further negotiations should be pointless.

3. Since the judgment of the Michigan District of the Wisconsin Synod regarding the termination of church fellowship with the Trinity-