# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S95 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 95 respect to the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the condition of a con- gregation is concerned”; and WHEREAS. It may be deemed necessary for the Synod from time to time to state its doctrinal position in regard to current theological issues; therefore we the Eastern District 1) encourage the Synod to delineate clearly the current doc- trinal issues disturbing the church and to prepare statements regarding these theological problems for study by the congrega- tions of the Synod: and 2) recommend that when such statements are adopted ac- cording to constitutionally determined procedures, they be considered not binding but rather be considered the witness of the Synod to the world at that time. Eastern District. Richard L. J. Hoemann., Secretary 3-108 To Exercise Care in Passing Binding Resolutions WHEREAS. The Synod's Constitution (Art. VII) states: Article VII Relation of the Synod to its Members In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation's right of self-government it is but an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned: and WHEREAS. This is amplified by Bylaw 1.09 b (cf. all of 1.09) which states: b. The Synod expects every congregation to respect its resolutions and to consider them of binding force if they are in accordance with the Word of God and if they appear expedient as far as the condition of the congregation is concerned. The Synod, being an advi- sory body. recognizes the right of the congregation to be the judge of the expediency of the resolution as applied to its local condition. However, in exercising such judgment, a congregation must not act arbitrarily but in accordance with the principles of Christian love and charity”: therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod reaffirm the clear intent of its Constitution and exercise great care in passing resolutions that are declared binding on its members. Kansas District Andrew Sabo, Secretary 3-109 To Reconsider Status and Use of “A Statement” WHEREAS. The adoption of A Statement at New Orleans by a vote of 562-455 has been followed by great controversy as to its content, constitutionality, procedure of adoption, and imple- mentation: and WHEREAS, The Synod’s President had stated (March 1972): “These guidelines are not to serve as a new standard of ortho- doxy. but rather to assist the Board of Control (of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) in identifying areas which need further attention”: and WHEREAS, The convention action has now elevated A State- ment beyond its intended use: and WHEREAS. Before its adoption, opportunity was not given to the church to evaluate and to react to it as a formal doctrinal statement for the whole church and as a standard for discipline: and WHEREAS. The Synod has often stated that even unanimous votes cannot decide correctness of doctrine for the whole church: and WHEREAS. The Formula of Concord (in the Book of Concord. our only constitutional norm for doctrinal interpretation) was itself submitted for criticism for a period of 4 years prior to its adoption: It was sent to a considerable number of electors. princes and estates adhering to the Augsburg Confession with the request that they and their chief theologians peruse it with particular earnestness and Christian zeal. consider it in all its aspects. have their opinions and criticisms reduced to writing. and communicate to us without reserve their considered judgment concerning every part of it... . The Formula was completed with the help of such memoranda (Preface p. 7); therefore be it Resolved. That we request the Synod at Anaheim to recon- sider the status and use of A Statement together with methods and procedures required prior to convention action on formal doctrinal statements. Bethel Lutheran Church Edmonton, Alta. E. G. Ulmer. President Elenora Ulmer. Secretary 3-110 To Clarify Status of Doctrinal Resolutions WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has adopted resolutions which have served as a foundation for permitting doctrinal statements of ambiguous origin and development to become binding upon its members (Milwaukee Resolutions 2-21 and 5-24 and New Orleans 2-12 and 3-01): and WHEREAS. These resolutions call upon the Formula of Con- cord (FC, SD, Rule and Norm 10, Tappert: p. 506) to support the binding nature of these doctrinal statements: and WHEREAS. FC, SD, Rule and Norm 10 merely states that “good, useful. and pure books” may be “accepted and used as helpful expositions and explanations’’ but says nothing about making extraconfessional writings or statements binding: and WHEREAS. Article II of the synodical Constitution binds every member of the Synod to “the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice” and to “all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God”: and WHEREAS. Article VIII. C. of the synodical Constitution also states: “All matters of doctrine and of conscience shall be decided only by the Word of God. All other matters shall be decided by majority vote”: therefore be it Resolved. That the Southern District of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod declare that the Synod has exceeded its own confessional and constitutional bases in adopting these resolutions; and be it further Resolved. That the Southern District call upon the Synod to return to the clear intent of its Confessions and Constitution and refrain from passing resolutions which bind its members beyond that binding which such members willingly and responsibly impose upon themselves under the authority of the Word of God (Constitution: Article VIII, C). Southern District John Ellermann, President 3-111 To Urge Synod to Make New Beginning Concerning Adoption of Doctrinal Resolutions WHEREAS. The bonds of peace and unity within our congre- gation are being tragically disturbed by the current strife in our Synod: and