# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S232
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

232 Intersynodical and Doctrinal Matters

mentioned in the Declaration of the American Lutheran Church
representatives (Anti-christ, the conversion of the Jews, the
physical resurrection of the martyrs, the fulfilment of the thousand
years) we endeavor to establish full agreement and that our Com-
mittee on Lutheran Union be instructed to devise ways and
means of reaching this end.

4. That in regard to the propriety of speaking of “the visible
side of the Church” we ask our Committee on Lutheran Union
to work to this end that uniform and Scripturally acceptable ter-
minology and teaching be attained.

5. That, since for true unity we need not only this doctrinal
agreement but also agreement in practise, we state with our syn-
odical fathers that according to the Scriptures and the Lutheran
confessional writings Christian practise must harmonize with
Christian doctrine and that, where there is a divergence from
Biblical, confessional practise, strenuous efforts must be made to
correct such deviation. We refer particularly to the attitude
toward the anti-christian lodge, anti-Scriptural pulpit- and altar-
fellowship, and all other forms of unionism.

6. That regarding the establishment of church-fellowship be-
tween the two bodies on this basis, Synod recognize the following
points, which embody and augment the four recommendations of
Synod’s Committee on Lutheran Union: .

a. The establishing of church-fellowship between the American
Lutheran Church and the Missouri Synod will depend on the ac-
tion taken by each body with reference to the Brief Statement,
the Declaration of the representatives of the American Lutheran
Church, and the report of this Committee as adopted by Synod.

b. The establishing of church-fellowship between the American
Lutheran Church and the Missouri Synod will depend also on the
establishing on the part of the American Lutheran Church of
doctrinal agreement with those church-bodies with which the
American Lutheran Church is in fellowship.

c. As far as the Missouri Synod is concerned, this whole matter
must be submitted for approval to the other synods constituting
the Synodical Conference.

d. Until church-fellowship has been officially established, the
pastors of both church-bodies are encouraged to meet in smaller
circles wherever and as often as possible in order to discuss both
the doctrinal basis for union and the questions of church practise.

7. That, if by the grace of God fellowship can be established,
this fact is to be announced officially by the President of Synod.
Until then no action is to be taken by any of our pastors or
congregations which would overlook the fact that we are not
yet united.