# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S121 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SEMINARY ISSUES 121 3-22 To Introduce Special Rules for Action on “A Statement” or Any Other Doctrinal Matter Wuereas, A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles was prepared by the synodical President in an effort to give aid to the Board of Control of Concordia Sem- inary, St.Louis, in carrying out its duties under Res. 2-28 of the 1971 Milwaukee convention, and was also sent to the entire Synod for information as part of his report on the progress made by the Board of Control (ef. letter of March 3, 1972); and Wuereas, The President suggested that the Statement be studied in conferences and congregations, and this suggestion has been carried out and continues to be carried out by many, with the result that suggestions have been made for clarification or change in some portions of the State- ment; and Wuereas. The President has indicated to the Synod that he has not offered the Statement as a document to be adopted as “a new standard of orthodoxy,” but some mem- bers of the Synod have indicated that they desire to see the Statement acted on in some way; and Wuereas, Resolutions relating to statements of doctrine are of such importance that they require prayerful, thorough, and unhurried deliberation, and should be acted on only after all those voting understand the matter, since such votes are to determine whether the voters understand the matter under question to be in accord with Scripture: there- fore be it Resolved, That the procedure followed at the convention in acting on the content of A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles. or on any other doctrinal matter, be such that it does not curtail discussion on the part of dele- gates; and be it further Resolved, That in order to permit this free and full dis- cussion within reasonable bounds no motion be entertained which closes debate until each delegate who wishes to speak has been given the opportunity at least once; and be it further ' Resolved. That the practice of alternating speakers pro and con a given resolution be followed; and be it finally Resolved, That any motion dealing with the doctrinal content of A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Prin- ciples be viewed as a “resolution concerning doctrine formu- lated and adopted at a convention” as described in Res. 5-24 of the Milwaukee convention. Zion LUTHERAN CHURCH Ferguson, Mo. Clemens C. Runge. President Paul O. Herrmann III, Secretary 3-23 Not to Bring “A Statement” to a Vote Wuereas, Matters pertaining to Scriptural doctrine and practice are best resolved through the study of God's Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. rather than through convention resolutions: therefore be it Resolved, That Peace Lutheran Church of New Berlin respectfully request the honorable Missouri Synod in con- vention at New Orleans not to permit A Statement to be brought to a vote, thus respecting the request of our Presi- dent, “the purpose of these guidelines is not to serve as a new standard of orthodoxy”: and be it further Resolved, That should a new confession be desired, that such a confession be developed by the Commission of Theol- ogy and Church Relations in conjunction with the faculties of our two seminaries in Saint Louis and Springfield: and that such a confession be submitted to all congregations, pastors, and teachers within our Synod at least a full year prior to its anticipated adoption by a future convention. Peace LUTHERAN CHURCH New Berlin, Wis. Arthur Gulrud, President Christine Schwerin, Secretary Martin W. Bangert, Pastor 3-244 To Reaffirm Confessional Basis Resolved, That since the confessional basis which all members of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod are bound to accept without reservation is set forth in Article II of the Constitution of the Synod (namely, the Holy Scrip- tures and the Symbolical Books of the Lutheran church), we therefore encourage a careful and thorough study of the Scriptures and the Confessions themselves. We further encourage that all other statements and guide- lines of Scriptural and confessional principles be studied and used among us to help reassess our Lutheran confessional commitment, but that in no wise ought such statements and guidelines become a criterion of doctrine soundness, or hin- der the free and full study of the Holy Scriptures; and be it further Resolved, That the Southeastern District petition The Lu- theran Church — Missouri Synod in convention in New Or- leans, La., to reaffirm that the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions are adequate as the confessional basis of Synod as stated in Article II of Synod’s Constitution. SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT Frederick A. Stiemke, Secretary Similar: 3-24B Lutheran Church of Saint Andrew, Silver Spring, Md., Walter Petzold, President: George Lobien, Pastor. 3-24C New York State Pastoral Conference, Atlantic District, Daniel Aho, Secretary. 3-25 To Accept Articles II and VI as Sole Basis for Faith and Practice Wuereas, Article IJ of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod calls upon Synod and every mem- ber of Synod to accept without reservation Holy Scripture as the only rule and norm of faith and practice and the Book of Concord (1580) as a true and unadulterated state- ment and exposition of Holy Scripture; and Wuereas, Article VI of the same Constitution lays down adequate conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod; and Wuereas. Article XIV of the same Constitution stipulates that no changes or amendments shall be made that conflict with Articles II and VI: and Wuereas. The proper use of the Scripture and the Lu- theran Confessions is and has been confessed to lie in the proper distinction between Law and Gospel (Formula of Concord, SD, V); and Wuereas, There have been and continue to be attempts by individuals and groups within Synod subsequent to Res. 9.21 of the 1971 Milwaukee convention to substitute or ap- pend additional statements or procedures beyond the con- stitutional basis for faith and practice; therefore be it Resolved, That we accept Articles II and VI of the Con- stitution of Synod as the sole basis for faith and practice in the Synod: and be it further Resolved, That we continue to hold the distinctive mark of Lutheranism and the basis of its fellowship to lie in its confession of God’s Word as Law and Gospel. FACULTY ConcorDIA TEACHERS COLLEGE River Forest, Ill.