# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S185 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) ADMINISTRATION 185 to find a God-pleasing expression of the unity the Lord longs for in His church. We in Lutheran Church—Canada have pledged our best effort to this goal. And we are encouraged that the Synod has assured us of its blessings in these negotiations (Denver, 3-17: Milwaukee, 3-09). But we are troubled that the Synod has not yet moved to resolve the constitutional question, i. e., how could the Synod declare itself in fellowship with a portion of a church (LCA —Canada Section) when it does not enjoy fellowship with the church body as a whole (LCA)? Further, we wonder wheth- er it would be possible or fair for the entire membership of the Synod to decide whether a basis for fellowship and merger exists when only a relatively small percentage of the member- ship (LC--C) will have been exposed to the dialogue required for the experience of consensus. We believe the simplest solu- tion would be for the Synod to grant LC—C the authority not only to negotiate fellowship and merger, but also to consummate that fellowship and merger if and when, by the Spirit's grace, we arrive at and affirm the consensus that undergirds true unity. To that end, our LC—C convention passed the following resolution (1-01): and since we are not authorized to submit memorials to the Synod, we include it here in the hope that it will be picked up by the appropriate floor committee: WHEREAS, The Evangelical Iutheran Church of Canada, in convention in 1972, issued an invitation to The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in Canada and to the LCA-— Canada Section to enter into official negotiations for merger: and WHEREAS, Lutheran Church—Canada, an administrative unit, has been encouraged by the President of the Synod to enter into negotiations toward mergers with Lutheran bodies in Canada: and WHEREAS, Lutheran Church—Canada in convention (1973) unanimously declared its readiness to enter into negotiations toward one Lutheran Church in Canada: and WHEREAS, The Bylaws of the Synod require that the Synod authorize consummation of merger negotiations (1.21): and WHEREAS, The Synod in convention in 1965 (Resolution 3-04) has stated that the responsibility of working toward the estab- lishing of pulpit and altar fellowship ... and of publicly declaring it when the necessary conditions have been fulfilled rests pri- marily on the churches in a given area: therefore be it Resolved. That The Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod, in convention in Anaheim, be asked to authorize Lutheran Church —Canada to enter into merger with other Lutheran bodies in Canada after consensus sufficient for fellowship has been reached and after approval for merger has been given by the three geographic Districts of The Lutheran Church -— Missouri Synod in Canada: and be it further Resolved, That any necessary changes in the Bylaws of the Synod be made as required to effect this: and be it further Resolved, That this action of the Lutheran Church —Canada convention at Calgary, Alta. (April 1-3, 1975) be referred to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and to the ap- propriate floor committee of the Synod prior to the Anaheim convention by the President of Lutheran Church— Canada or his representative. IV. Identity and Status: Administrative Unit In 1965 the Synod in convention granted LC —C the status of an administrative unit intended to function “in those areas of church work mutually agreed upon by The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church— Canada” (Detroit, 4-28). In retrospect it seems that neither the Synod nor LC —C fully explored the status, rights, and privileges conferred in that action. While LC—C’s Bylaws provide for committees on mis- sions, higher education, college and university work, public relations, etc., the lines of relationship between the Synod and the Canadian Districts show little recognition of LC—C’s exis- tence as an administrative unit. Even the Synod’s Bylaws (1.27 a 2) bypass LC —C in listing those entitled to submit overtures to a convention of the Synod. Should not LC—C be entitled to the same privilege as other administrative units of the Synod (e.g, boards, commissions, and councils)? Obviously these and other considerations point to the need for greater consultation with appropriate synodical personnel to explore and identify more clearly the ways in which LC—C can function more effectively as an administrative unit for our church in Canada. Conclusion Once again we express our appreciation for the confidence and support given LC-—C. not only by the Canadian constit- uency but also by the Synod through its appropriate boards and officers. May the Lord of the church instill in us all a greater sense of joy and urgency in finding better ways to carry out the mullti- faceted mission entrusted to us. To Him alone the glory! Louis N. Scholl, President George Rode, Secretary Philip Fry Robert Pippus Henry Baker Albin Stanfel 4-15 To Transfer Sherman Park, Milwaukee. to English District WHEREAS. Sherman Park Ev. Lutheran Church, 2703 N. Sherman Bivd.. Milwaukee. Wis.. resolved in a parish meeting on Tuesday. May 28, 1974. that it wishes to rejuin the English District: and WHEREAS. Sherman Park Ev. Lutheran Church has made a request to the South Wisconsin District to be transferred to the English District: and WHEREAS. Transfer of a congregation from one District to another must be approved by the Synod in convention (see Handbook 3.05): therefore be it Resolved, That upon synodical approval Sherman Park Ev. Lutheran Church be transferred to the English District. South Wisconsin District Robert A. Schmidt. Secretary 4-16 To Transfer Lutheran Chapel of the Cross, Milwaukee, to South Wisconsin District WHEREAS. Lutheran Chapel of the Cross. 3353 South Whitnall Ave., Milwaukee. Wis.. resolved that it can best serve the church in the South Wisconsin District: and WHEREAS. The Lutheran Chapel of the Cross has made a request to the English District to be transferred to the South Wisconsin District: and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the South Wisconsin District resolved in its Nov. 8. 1973, meeting to receive Lutheran Chapel of the Cross into the District: and WHEREAS. Transfer of a congregation from one District to another must be approved by the Synod in convention (see Handbook 3.05): therefore be it Resolved. That upon synodical approval Lutheran Chapel of the Cross be welcomed into the South Wisconsin District. South Wisconsin District Robert A. Schmidt. Secretary 4-17 To Transfer Trinity, Hammond, Ind., from English to Indiana District WHEREAS. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ham- mond, Ind.. in a special voters’ meeting of June 3, 1974. resolved that it can best serve the Lord by transferring its membership to the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod: and