# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S172 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 172 RESOLUTIONS To Decline Overtures Relative to Christian News RESOLUTION 9-11 Overtures 9-14—9-17 (CW, p. 412); N.O. Res. 11-07 (CW, p. 448) Wuereas, The Council of Presidents acted in good faith and gave rationale for their repudiation of Chris- tian News; therefore be it Resolved, That Overtures 9-14, 9-15, 9-16, and 9-17 be declined. Action: Adopted (10). To Discourage Lawsuits RESOLUTION 9-12 Overture 9-09 (CW, p. 411) Wuereas, There is an unusual amount of tension within the Synod; and Wuereas, Different congregations react differently, some minimizing the problem and others seeking to influence matters through overtures such as this; and Wuereas, Some congregations feel compelled to op- pose wrongs and to testify to the truth by separating from the Synod; and Wuereas, Such action normally finds within the par- ish a minority opposing the separation; and Wuereas, Existing discord among brothers is deep- ened when lawsuits are filed to prevent such disassocia- tion; and Wuereas, The Scriptures forbid airing our problems before the world (1 Cor. 6), which exposure is interpreted by the world as a struggle over material advantage rather than a sincere concern for the truth; therefore be it Resolved, That in any case lawsuits be discouraged; and be it further Resolved, That such congregations also consider the legal and serious financial problems that may result from a division; and be it finally Resolved, That congregations which are threatened by division be encouraged to use every avenue available within our fellowship of faith to achieve reconciliation. Action: Adopted (10). (The convention declined to consider Overture 9-09 as a substitute.) To Review the Brux Case RESOLUTION 9-13 Overture 9-29 (CW, p. 415) Wuereas, The synodical convention in New York reopened the long dormant case against Dr. Adolph Brux and by resolution gravitated toward excneration of that former missionary (to India), whose prayer fellowship with non-Lutheran Christians and defense of same led to his recall by the Board for Foreign Missions; and Wuereas, The New York convention in Resolution 13-22 stated: “That the Synod assure Dr. Brux that we desire to resolve the causes of misunderstanding in the spirit of love”; and Wuereas, This has not been consummated; therefore be it Resolved, That the convention direct the synodical Board for Missions to give this matter top priority in bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion, and report its action to the 1977 synodical convention. Action: This resolution died since it failed to receive action before adjournment. (The committee supplied the wording given above in the resolved to replace the original words “. .. Board for Missions to seek a satisfactory conclusion to this case and report . . .” To Extend Involvement of Members in Mission RESOLUTION 9-14 Overture 9-10 (CW, p. 411) WHEREAS, “We affirm that the church is God’s mission . and we place ourselves, our congregations, and our Synod into His loving hand as willing instruments of His great mission to the world” (Mission Affirmations, De- troit, 1965); and Wuereas, If the church is to be God’s mission, each Christian must be involved both within the church when it acts as a corporate body, and as an individual believer in the world; therefore be it Resolved, That, while recognizing the autonomy of the congregation in such matters as right of suffrage and the right to hold office, we nevertheless encourage each con- gregation to review its constitution and if possible pro- vide opportunity to every member, regardless of age or sex, to be actively involved in mission. Action: This resolution died since it failed to receive action before adjournment. To Thank the LLL for Microfilm Support RESOLUTION 9-15 Report 9-02 (CW, p. 409) Wuereas, The Lutheran Laymen’s League has ren- dered financial support to the Concordia Historical Insti- tute for its photoduplication and microfilm program for 20 consecutive years; therefore be it Resolved, That this 51st convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod express its gratitude to the LLL for support of the synodical archives and the Concordia Historical Institute, and that the LLL be encouraged to continue its support of the Institute. Action: This resolution died since it failed te receive action before adjournment.