# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S184 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) _— CTCSEC CM" cee 184 SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION B. Special Assignments In addition to the ongoing assignments in the commis- sion’s terms of reference, both the Denver and Milwaukee conventions gave special assignments to the commission. We herewith report on these. 1. Review of Synod’s Constitution in the Light of the Mission Affirmations The commission was given this assignment by the Denver convention and made a progress report to the Milwaukee convention. Further discussions have been held with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the Com- mission on Constitutional Matters. Our final report on this assignment is appended to this report with appropriate rec- ommendations to the convention. 2. The Role of Women in Church and Society This assignment was given to the commission at the Den- ver convention. The commission produced a short statement embodying Affirmations on Women in Mission. The Mil- nium. A panel presentation was made to the commission. In a subsequent meeting the commission was joined by 18 Women from various walks of life. A paper on “The Gospel of Baptism” was presented. The C then “workshopped” the problem in small discussion groups. The results of our study and our recommendations to this convention are given separately. 3. Selective Fellowship The Milwaukee convention asked the commission to study this matter through Res. 3-11: WHEREAS, There is a continued concern in the matter of se- lective fellowship; therefore be it Resolved, That in the interim we reaffirm Resolution 3-18 of the Denver convention regarding selective fellowship. (1969 Proceedings, p. 101) Dr. John Johnson served as study coordinator for this assignment. Consultations have been held with the Com- mission on Theology and Church Relations. The following theses and guidelines were adopted by this Commission. THESES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION RE SELECTIVE FELLOWSHIP Word of God which alone should be and remain the only stan- dard and rule of doctrine, to which the writings of no man should be regarded as equal, but to which everything should be sudjected" (F. C., Th.D., C. S$, 9. “The Confessions, not be- cause they were composed by our theologians but because they have been taken from God's Word and founded firmly and well therein" (5.10). “The Confessions are introduced as a witness of the truth” (13. 4). They are, furthermore, a praise and con- fession of the grace of God, the exposition and summary of Holy Scripture whose heart they understand to be the Holy Gospel. Lutherans look to the Scriptures and to the Confessions to determine the question of selective fellowship, 1. The church is the congregation of all believers in Jesus Christ. This church actually exists, made up of true believers and righteous men scattered throughout the world. The Gospel and faith in Christ are constitutive of the Church. (Cf. A. C. VII—VIII; Eph. 4:4-5) 2. In order to create and preserve faith the Ministry of Word and Sacraments has been ordained by God. The church believes the Gospel; and the Gospel is defined, Strictly speaking, as precisely, “a ccnfronting and joyful message which does not 3. Within the church are the churches. Those who “preside Over the churches are to preach the Gospel, remit sins, and ad- minister the sacraments.” When the bishops refuse ordination, “the churches retain the right to ordain for themselves. Wher- ever the church exists, the right to administer the Gospel also exists.’ The churches are the Christian community in which we obtain full forgiveness of sins through the word and through signs appointed to comfort, to wit. the Sacraments. (Power and Primacy of the Pope; A. C. XXVIIL 4. The principle of unity among the churches is “that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it.” Ceremonies need not be uniform: but the Gospel must be proclaimed: the divine doctrine understood in an active and dynamic sense of public Preaching and teaching. True unity among the churches is destroyed by anything which vitiates the Holy Gospel. (A, Cc. VII) 5. The Gospel (doctrina) is defined and understood within the context of the A. . The Gospel is the good news of the grace of God in Christ. The various articles of the A. C. relate to this Gospel. Commitment to the pure understanding and preaching of the Gospel calls for fidelity in all matters that are either a part of the Gospel. necessary background for the Gospel, or a necessary consequence of the Gospel. 6. Lutherans seeking external unity are to be guided by these principles. All articles of faith taught in the church are to be rested to see whether they serve the pure preaching of the Gos- pel, 7. This principle calls for more than a correct statement in an official confession, The Gospel must actually be proclaimed in the pulpits and taught in the churches. Occasional aberrations do not destroy unity; they must be dealt with. 8. When such a genuine consensus has been achieved, Lu- theran bodies not only may but should enter into pulpit and altar fellowship. Churches which recognize their unity of faith must 9. The churches must in love apply to themselves a correc- tion of errors when such arise, and concern themselves with the cleansing of any practices that endanger the purity of the Gospel. Guiding Principles for Action: 1. Unity in the church is given by the Holy Spirit. There is one body, one calling, one Spirit, etc., Eph. 4. All Christians are in agreement on the doctrine of the Gospel (Omnes Christiani de evangelio consentiunt), 2. This unity must be reflected in the churches, in the bodies of churches (synods, etc.) formed according to human dicta. 3. According to the confessional principle to which we are committed, unity exists among the churches who confess and tween bodies is not declared, selective fellowship ought to be permitted (in accordance with the stated principles). The Com- mission on Mission and Ministry in the Church hopes that the Synod will recognize this and by resolution indicate its approval of such congregational action. In accordance with Res. 3-1] of Milwaukee the Cornamission on Mission and Ministry in the Church also shares these theses and guiding principles with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the Com- mission on Constitutional Matters for their discussion and action. 4. Evangelism Today Since the year of this convention is also the year of “Key 73” and the Synod’s emphasis on evangelism in its 125th anniversary celebration, the commission heard presen- tations by Pastor Walter Meyer on “Venture into Commu- nity” and Pastor Erwin Kolb on “Evangelism Today.” III. New Studies In its ongoing study program the commission becomes aware of certain problems which need investigation. We mention here a few on which some work has been done. 1. The Nature and Theology of Change. 2. Concept of Authority and Exercise of Power in the Church. 3. Freedom and Styles of Life in the Church. 4. Relation of Church to Culture. 5. Role of Forms and Institutions in Personal and Cor- porate Life of Christians. The Commission on Mission and Ministry in the Church was established in 1965 in order to evaluate past procedures and consider new strategies as the church seeks to fulfill its mission effectively. New assignments have been given to the commission in the 1967, 1969, and 1971 synodical con- ventions.