# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S84 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 84 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS convention Resolution 3-01 and (2) instruct the Synod's Commis- sion on Theology and Church Relations to include in future reprints of A Statement such additional sentences as will appro- priately reflect the suggestions expressed in the four recom- mendations offered in the “Conclusion” to the Commission's September 1974 Report on Dissent. Trinity Lutheran Church Sawyer. Mich. Carl Gnodtke. Chairman Warren Strefling, Secretary A. W. Pankratz, Pastor Identical! or similar: 3-67B to 3-67Q Trinity, Corona, S. Dak. Dennis Brech Emmanuel, Kingfisher, Okla. V. H. Mickow Trinity, Scarsdale, N. Y. Merlin Meyer Trinity, Enid, Okla. Harry Soper Zion, Big Springs, Nebr. F. K. Kwirant John Rische L. W. Faulstick H. M. Sorensen H. M. Sorensen Our Savior’s, Pacifica, Calif. Grace, Bakersfield, Calif. First, Dinuba, Calif. St. Paul’s, Selma, Calif. Trinity, Paso Robles, Calif. L. L. Brack Zion, San Luis Obispo, Calif. D. Poganski Our Savior, Pinole, Calif. Conrad Coyner Shepherd, Kernville, Calif. A. T. Lewis Our Savior, San Jose, Calif. T. W. Polster St. Luke, Santa Rosa, Calif. Trinity, Indianapolis, Ind. C. W. Keturakat Walter Maas 3-68 To Deal with Faltering Ministers WHEREAS. The Holy Spirit in Scripture speaks reprovingly in Ezekiel 34 to ministers as shepherds who are not feeding the flock; and WHEREAS. In Acts 20 St. Paul speaks to the Ephesian pastors to take heed to feed the flock of God; and WHEREAS. The Kersten Report, in part subsidized by Synod money, reveals the following alarming statistics pertinent to our subject: 1. 74° of the Missouri Synod clergy accepted the statement, “The Bible is God's Word and all it says is true.” 2. 84° of Missouri Synod clergy accepted the statement. “Only those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior can go to heaven." 3. 99° of Missouri Synod clergy accepted the statement. ‘A child is already sinful at birth.” 4. Of the Missouri Synod clergy polled. 79% accepted the Bible teaching. ‘Whosoever takes the sword shall perish by the sword.” 5. 8° of Missouri Synod clergy would accept women into ordination of the holy ministry 6. 27° of Missouri Synod clergy do not accept the total inability of man to participate in his salvation: and WHEREAS. The Synod exists for mutual admonition and work- ing together: and WHEREAS. The Synod exists to protect the doctrine and life of its constituent congregations: therefore be it Resolved. That District Presidents and Circuit Counselors take up their obligations for the maintenance of orthodoxy among the clergy and the protection of congregations against false teachers by sending questionnaires to all pastors of their Districts similar to the questions asked in the Kersten Report and that the statistics be gathered and published in the District periodicals: and be it further Resolred. That we repeat our acceptance of The Statement adopted at our last convention in New Orleans, which deals with most of the false doctrine uncovered in the six points above. God's Word is our great heritage And shail be ours forever: To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way. In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations. Amen. Bethlehem Lutheran Church Evanston, Il. Eugene Koch. Chairman James Harbke, Secretary F. A. Hertwig, Pastor 3-69A To Uphold Adoption of “A Statement” WHEREAS. The Lutherans ever since Augsburg 1530 have set forth statements defending their confessional position over against unscriptural doctrines and anti-Scriptural practices of their day (e. g., the Apology of 1531: the Formula of Concord of 1580: etc.): and WHEREAS, Our Synod ever since its organization has re- peatedly done the same, adopting as it has Dr. C. F. W. Walther’s 10 theses on “Church and Ministry” and again his 13 theses during the Predestinarian Controversy, adding, particularly in the latter case, the caution that departure from the same would mean being “expelled from the synodical fellowship” (cp. also the Synod’s repeated declarations concerning a Brief Statement and other doctrinal resolutions in more recent years): and WHEREAS, Precedent accordingly reveals that the Lutheran and the synodical understanding of Article II in Synod’s Con- stitution is to the effect that this Article actually calls for theses and antitheses with reference to the crucial doctrinal con- troversy and other pressing problems troubling the Synod today (ep. Resolution 2-12 adopted in 1973); and WHEREAS. The Synod. already in its 1973 convention at New Orleans, adopted A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles. many congregations and pastors, synodical boards and committees (e. g., the Commission on Theology and Church Relations: the Springfield seminary’s Board of Control: the Board for Higher Education) having discovered in it nothing contrary to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions but rather a formulation that derives its authority from the same and so an excellent voice for the Synod’s time-tried stand still eminently relevant for current doctrinal issues: therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod here and now go on record as firmly resisting any effort to rescind its action in 1973 (Proceed- ings. Res. 2-12 and 3-01) and/or its action at Milwaukee in 1971 (Proceedings. Res. 2-21 and 5-24) concerning the status to be accorded such doctrinal statement in our midst: and be it further Resolved. That such statements. more specifically also A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles. inasmuch and insofar as they are in accord with the Holy Scriptures and our precious Lutheran Confessions, are to be looked upon. be it said once more, as binding on all members of the Synod on pain of suspension and final expulsion: and be it finally Resolved. That our esteemed President be sincerely thanked anew for A Statement and that all members of the Synod be importuned to pray for him and for all who compose the Synod that we with one heart and one mind continue to strive to abide by the unerring Word of God, the Lutheran Confessions, and the synodically adopted formulations drawn from that Word and called for by the content and the pattern of those Confessions. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church Seattle, Wash. Carroll E. Cooper. President Karl J. Jaech, Secretary John F. Falk, Pastor Identical or similar: 3-69B to 3-69D Immanuel, Albany, Oreg. St. Andrew, Rockton, II]. Good Shepherd, Panama City, Fla. Herbert Boehne Lyle Baker G. L. Waterman 3-70 To Reaffirm Adoption of “A Statement”’ WHEREAS. The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod in con-