# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S43 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 43 constituency of the LCMS and published in the April 16, 1974, issue of the Lutheran Standard. These unfortunate actions have not served to strengthen the ties of fellowship, something we earnestly and prayerfully seek in the fear and love of God. Nor have they helped in effecting reconciliation within our own church body. The commission recommends: 19. That the Synod — a. Express its appreciation for every evidence of growth in the understanding and practice of fellowship in both the LCMS and the ALC: b. State its deep regret that 6 years of discussion in the Commission on Fellowship have not produced evidence that “serious differences in the doctrine of the authority of Scripture” (1971 Resolution 3-21. fourth whereas) have been resolved or that our two church bodies have achieved a common understanding ‘on what fellowship involves.” (Resolution 3-21, third whereas} c. Consider the recommendation suggested in 1973 Resolution 2-40 to declare the denominational fellowship to be in a state of suspension. By this latter term we— 1) do not mean the termination of fellowship as though the bonds between us are herewith immediately and finally broken: 2) assert that consensus between the two church bodies does not exist in the following areas: a) the authority of Scripture also as it relates to the ordination of women to the pastoral office: b) an understanding of the nature and basis of fellowship: ¢) position and practice with regard to membership in ecu- menical organizations: and d) the lodge question. 3) implore all involved. where doctrinal consensus has been discovered and fellowship practiced by local congregations of the two church bodies. to exercise such loving and pastoral care as recognizes the needs of God's people in the local congre- gation and the will of the Synod expressed in this resolution: 4) implore the Synod at its 1975 convention to reassess this entire question in the fear and love of God and with the ferrent desire for a happy and God-pleasing resolution of this matter. d. Instruct its representatives on the Commission on Fellow- ship to intensify their efforts — 1) to reach a God-pleasing agreement at the denominational level on the matter of ordaining women to the pastoral office; 2) to achieve and demonstrate a broadly based. multilevel consensus in the doctrine of the authority of Holy Scripture and the basis and nature of fellowship: 3) to arrive at a common position and practice on other matters which have been referred to the Commission on Fellow- ship, such as the lodge question and membership in ecumenical organizations. e. Implore the blessings and guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the discussions between the two church bodies. C. Germany (Selbstaendige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche) On June 25, 1972, three Lutheran Free Churches in Germany participated in a merger which resulted in the formation of the Selbstaendige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche (Independent Lutheran Church). As was reported in the CTCR’s 1973 report, the commission extended greetings to the new church and expressed the hope that the necessary steps could be taken for a formal declaration of fellowship with these former sister churches. The leadership of the new church sent its constitution and other pertinent documents which the commission examined and found to be in agreement with the doctrinal position of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. As a result the commission recommended in 1973 that the Synod officially declare that it is in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Selbstaendige Evan- gelisch-Lutherische Kirche. However, Resolution 2-31 “To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany” was for lack of time not acted on by the convention. In response to the Board of Directors’ referral of this resolution to the CTCR for “resub- mission to convention” the commission recommends: 20. That the Synod in gratitude to God officially declare itself to be in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Selbstaendige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche. thereby continuing the fellow- ship it has enjoyed for many years with the member bodies of the new church. D. Lutheran Church of Australia In its report to the 1973 convention the CTCR reviewed contacts between The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church of Australia since its formation in 1965. Already the Denver convention in 1969 authorized the President of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod “‘to initiate discus- sions with the Lutheran Church of Australia (at a mutually accepted time) to the end of establishing altar and pulpit fellow- ship” (1969 Resolution 3-03). A letter from President Max Lohe in October 1972 indicated that the Lutheran Church of Australia might now be ready to begin discussions looking forward to fellowship. The commission adopted a resolution that expressed the desire of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to enter into discussions leading to altar and pulpit fellowship. President Preus personally presented this resolution to the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations of the Lutheran Church in Australia in February 1973. President Grope indicated that the invitation was received with great appreciation. In response to this recommendation of the CTCR, Resolution 2-27 that the Synod express its ‘‘continued desire to establish altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church in Australia” was pre- sented to the 1973 convention. Since this resolution was not acted on for lack of time, it was referred back to the CTCR by the Board of Directors. In July 1974 President Grope met informally with President Preus in St. Louis and again expressed the desire for a closer relationship between the Lutheran Church of Australia and The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and encouraged the consideration of confessional discussions among Lutherans. The commission therefore recommends: 2la. That the Synod express its concurrence with President Grope in desiring closer relationships between the LCMS and the Lutheran Church of Australia and encouraging confessional discussions among Lutherans. b. That the Synod reaffirm its continued desire to establish altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church of Australia and pray that God will richly bless our mutual efforts to that end. E. Evangelical Lutheran Synod Representatives of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod met informally with representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Minneapolis in February 1975. Several items were discussed, including the doctrinal controversy in the LCMS and the possibilities of sharing of doctrinal statements and resolutions with one another, of participating in free study conferences, and of initiating formal discussions for the purpose of restoring fellowship between the ELS and the LCMS. The commission recommends: 22a. That the Synod give thanks to God for the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and thank them for their expressions of concern regarding our present doctrinal controversy. b. That the Synod authorize and encourage its President, at a mutually acceptable time. to facilitate continued discussions with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. F. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Representatives of the LCMS met informally with represen- tatives from the WELS in Milwaukee in September 1973. Dis- cussion centered on an evaluation by the WELS of actions taken by the New Orleans convention, including an expression of joy and thanks for the positive step taken by the LCMS with respect to the authority of Scripture. The meeting was friendly and fraternal. We express our gratitude to God for the opportunity to share concerns with members of the WELS. G. Lutheran Church in America Since the traditional position of the Lutheran Church in America is that formal doctrinal discussions are unnecessary for church bodies subscribing to the same Lutheran Confessions, the CTCR endorsed the proposal of President Robert Marshall