# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S113 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 113 Resolved. That the Board of Directors be directed to provide a subsidy for the Concordia Journal so that it may be sent with- out cost to all pastors and teachers of the Synod through 1976: and be it further Resolved. That the Board of Directors be directed to provide a subsidy to the Concordia Journal that will make it possible to provide the Journal at a cost of not more than $5 per year through 1977; and be it finally Resolved. That the 1977 Synodical convention consider once more the future subsidy needs of the Concordia Journal. Board of Control Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Mo. Ralph Bohlmann, Acting President 3-170 To Restudy Lodges Trinity Lutheran Church of Paw Paw, Mich., respectfully requests that the synodical Commission on Fraternal Organiza- tions make a new and intensified study of the synodical position on lodges and fraternal organizations in the light of continuing changes in policies and procedures in the various lodges and fraternal organizations. Specifically, we request a new evalua- tion of the synodical policy over against the lodge known as “Freemasonry.” Trinity Lutheran Church Paw Paw, Mich. Maxwell Potter, President D. C. Bertermann, Pastor ELIM 3-175 To Ask Directors to Reconsider Decision re ELIM WHEREAS, It is better to correct the cause of a problem rather than just suppress its symptoms; and WHEREAS, The organization of ELIM at its very first meeting declared: ‘‘In the name of Jesus Christ and for the sake of the Gospel we protest the errant actions of the majority at the New Orleans convention of the LCMS (2-12, 3-01, 3-09, 3-12A)": and WHEREAS, The continuing goal of the organization ELIM, through implementation of the above declaration, has been and remains the reconciliation of the division within our Synod caused by the actions of the New Orleans convention: there- fore be it Resolved. That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reconsider its decision that ELIM is divisive; and be it further Resolved. That the Board of Directors be asked to deal with the cause of the division within our Synod at its earliest possible convenience by whatever legal means are available to it. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Milwaukee, Wis. John Sivitz, Chairman Beverly J. Fuchs, Secretary David K. Rockrohr, Pastor 3-176A To Rescind Judgment that ELIM Is Divisive WHEREAS, Balance Inc., Affirm publication, Doctrinal Con- cerns Program, and many other similar organizations have never been singled out by the Synod’s Board of Directors as divisive; and WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutherans in Mission (ELIM) has been trying to serve as an effective witness within the Synod under some very trying circumstances; and WHEREAS. One-sided judgments of this kind by the chief administrative board of our Synod only polarize the members of the Synod rather than reconcile us: therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod’s Board of Directors be instructed to rescind its judgment of ELIM as divisive; and be it further Resolved. That the Board for Higher Education be instructed to lift its ban on ELIM activities by faculty members. Trinity Lutheran Church Long Island City, N. Y. Ralph E. Savadge, President Patricia Herrmann, Secretary Identical or similar: 3-176B to 3-176E University, Los Angeles, Calif. Trinity, Carney’s Point, N. J. Our Savior, Orlando, Fla. Our Redeemer, Lake City, Fla. Roger Timm Gerald Grimm Samuel Hoard James Bachman 3-177 To Recognize ELIM WHEREAS. The members of ELIM have repeatedly stated their desire to remain members of The Lutheran Church — Mis- souri Synod: and WHEREAS. The members of ELIM have repeatedly stated that their actions of protest are based on a love for the Synod that firmly believes the Synod to be in error on certain judg- ments, resolutions, and actions: and WHEREAS, ELIM exists solely to call the Synod’s attention to these judgments, resolutions, and actions it believes to be errors and to call upon the Synod to correct these errors and to call upon the Synod to reevaluate itself in certain areas of doctrine and practice; therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod recognize ELIM simply as an organized group of brothers and sisters within the Synod which has specific areas of concern for the Synod; and be it further Resolved. That the Synod discontinue defining and under- standing ELIM as a “church within a church” with the purpose of dividing the Synod. Ev. Lutheran Church of Our Saviour Mineola, N. Y. Fred Herpel, Secretary John J. Marschhausen, Pastor 3-178A To Accept Evangelical Lutherans in Mission WHEREAS, Evangelical Lutherans in Mission has stated that its intent is not be divisive but rather to call the Synod to judg- ment where necessary and to serve as an evangelical leaven in the Synod and to provide protection of pastors, teachers, and congregations in the performance of their duties and the maintenance of their rights; therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod hear the judgments of Evangelical Lutherans in Mission against the Synod; and be it further Resolved. That the Synod exert every influence to reverse legalistic actions that have been taken in the Synod and imple- ment the objects of the Synod regarding “the protection of pastors, teachers, and congregations in the performance of their duties and the maintenance of their rights’? (Handbook. p. 16); and be it further Resolved. That the Synod accept the continuing activity of Evangelical Lutherans in Mission until said group has accom- plished its task within the Synod. Grace Lutheran Church Boulder, Colo. James Kittelberger, President Cynthia DeGreve, Secretary Norbert E. Hattendorf, Pastor