# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S82 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 82 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS confessional basis. these resolutions be rescinded and declared not in effect. d) that if 2/3 of the voting delegates do hold that N. O. Resolu- tions 2-12 and 3-01 either interpreted our confessional basis or change our confessional basis as they believe it should be, then Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article XIV of Synod’s Constitution be made use of, to see whether two-thirds of the congregation favor such interpretations or change. If two thirds of the dele- gates and two thirds of the congregations favor such interpreta- tions or change, there should be no doubt where the Synod stands, and if two thirds of the delegates and two thirds of the congregations are not ready to favor such interpretation or change. this should also say something. Redeemer Lutheran Church Burnsville, Minn. Roger Boelter, Chairman Darlene Kriewall. Secretary Henry L. Lieske, Pastor Identical or similar: 3-63B and 3-63C Peace, New Berlin, Wis. St. Timothy. Portland, Oreg. Martin Bangert Donald Maier 3-644 To Restudy “A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles” WHEREAS, The first object of the Synod is “the conservation and promotion of the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)" (LCMS Constitution, Article III, 1): and WHEREAS, To that end, the Synod resolved (Resolution 5-24. Milwaukee, 1971) to “distinguish between resolutions con- cerning doctrine formulated and adopted at a convention and more formal statements of belief which are produced by officially authorized groups, and which are then presented to the con- gregations and clergy of the Synod for study and discussion”: and WHEREAS, A Statement was produced by the President of the Synod as a guideline for the St. Louis seminary Board of Control and was thus not produced by an officially authorized group nor presented to the congregations and clergy of the Synod for study and discussion with a view to adopting it as a more formal statement of belief: and WHEREAS. In the interest of promoting the true unity of the faith and striving toward reconciliation under the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions in unequivocal accord with Article II of the Synod's Constitution, it is desirable to formulate doctrinal statements that clearly set forth the teachings of Holy Scripture and apply them to issues of our day; therefore be it Resolved. That the Northwest District, meeting in conven- tion June 21-23, 1974, recognize A Statement as a duly adopted resolution of the Synod (Resolution 3-01, New Orleans, 1973) which we honor and uphold insofar as it is in accord with the Scriptures and the pattern of doctrine set forth in the Lutheran Symbols but that the Northwest District petition the Synod, meeting in convention in Anaheim, to remove A Statement from the status of a “more formal and comprehensive statement of belief” (Resolution 5-24, Milwaukee, 1971) until it can be re- studied: and be it further Resolved. That A Statement be resubmitted to a representa- tive, qualified group (appointed by the President of the Synod in consultation with the Council of Presidents) officially au- thorized by the Synod thoroughly to restudy A Statement and the issues involved and on that basis produce a “more formal and comprehensive statement of belief” to address in particular the controversial issues for the church's witness to itself and to the world: and be it further Resolved. That the statement of belief thus prepared be presented to the congregations and clergy of the Synod for study and discussion with a view to adoption by the Synod in accor- dance with established constitutional procedures of the Synod: and be it further Resolved. That this resolution be carried out in a patient, tolerant, understanding. and conciliatory manner for the build- ing of a more unified Synod: and be it finally Resolved. That all members of the Synod be encouraged to examine their own understanding of Scripture and its interpre- tation and application and recommit themselves by the power of the Holy Spirit to faithful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the Scriptures as the wholly reliable, fully authoritative written Word of God that as people of God they ‘may be com- plete. equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Northwest District Emil G. Jaech, President D. C. Schroeder, Secretary Identical or similar: 3-64B and 3-64C Missouri District Texas Pastors-Teachers Conference 3 Herman Scherer Katherine Bolland 3-65 To Constitute Special Network | of Committees Toward Reconciliation WHEREAS. All members of our Synod have voluntarily agreed to walk together under Article II of our Constitution; and WHEREAS. The memorials submitted to our District conven- tion (Northern Illinois) reflect the dissent, polarization, and con- troversy surrounding Resolution 3-01 of New Orleans conven- tion; and WHEREAS. Our Synod has been escalating into a series of crises that have disrupted our living together as sisters and brothers in Christ; and WHEREAS. The synodical conflict has taken its toll in the draining of energies, the diversion of mission, the breakdown of trust, and the disruption of people's lives: and WHEREAS. The theological and personal issues reflected in these struggles are serious and need time. mutual trust, skill. and understanding to be resolved: and WHEREAS. Questions have arisen as to the original intent, the constitutionality, and the subsequent use of New Orleans 3-01; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters pro- poses “to recommend to the 1975 Convention the appointment of a special committee to draft a proposed addition to the Handbook in order to set forth clearly: a) the status of doc- trinal statements as distinct from the Scriptures and the Lu- theran Confessions: b) the procedures for the adoption of such statements: c) the procedures for proper expression of dissent and possible revision’; therefore be it Resolved. That we confess our trust and hope in Jesus Christ as the Lord of history and the only Lord of His church, to whose judgment and mercy we commit ourselves and each other: and be it further Resolved. That we, without pronouncing judgment as to its content, purpose, or intended use, urge the synodical conven- tion to reconsider Resolution 3-01 of the New Orleans conven- tion and to seek another way to promote “confession and pro- motion of the unity of the true faith as a united defense against schism and sectarianism”; and be it further Resolved. That the convention recognize that there should be no effort to have A Statement formally and individually sub- scribed to by the members of the Synod. The members of the Synod are expected to subscribe formally only to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. Those who disagree with the doctrinal content of a synodical statement of belief such as A Statement owe it to the Synod to demonstrate from the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions that the doctrinal statement either does not correctly apply the Scriptures and the Confessions to the questions with which it deals or that the statement fails to leave questions open which are not settled by the Scriptures themselves: and be it further Resolved. That as a part of the healing process and in the