# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S433 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) actively engaged in preparing worship materials for use in our church by all persons, male and female: there- fore be it Resolved, That we call attention to the concern of Overture 2-114 and refer them to the Synod’s Commis- sion on Worship, To Continue Participation in Meetings of the Consultation on Lutheran Unity RESOLUTION 2-09 Report 2-01, II, E (CW, p.35) Wuereas, The President of the Synod, in consulta- tion with the Commission on Theology and Church Re- lations, was directed to appoint four representatives to the discussions of the committee recommended by the Inter-Lutheran Consultation (1971 Proceedings, Res. 3-26): and Wuereas, Four representatives of the Synod have been appointed by the President of the Synod in con- sultation with the CTCR: and WHEREAS, The appointed representatives of the Synod have participated in meetings of the Consultation on Lutheran Unity and reported to the President of the Synod and the CTCR: and Whereas, Further meetings of the Consultation on Lutheran Unity are scheduled: therefore be it Resolved, That our representatives to the Consulta- tion on Lutheran Unity continue to be guided by the principles set forth in 1971 Proceedings, Res. 3-26; and be it further Resolved, That the representatives keep the Presi- dent of the Synod and the CTCR informed of the progress of the Consultation on Lutheran Unity; and be it finally Resolved, That the President of the Synod keep the Synod informed of the progress of these meetings. To Withhold Action Regarding Membership in the National Council of the Churches of Christ and the World Council of Churches RESOLUTION 2-10 Report 2-01, Section II, H; Overtures 2-160 point (“Re- solved”) 1, 2-162, 2-163 (CW, pp. 35—36, 93—94) Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in past conventions has declined to apply for member- ship in the NCC and WCC (Milwaukee Res. 3-07, Den- ver Res. 3-04); and Wuereas, The CTCR is continuing to study the oper- ations and structural changes of both organizations in order to give a detailed report and recommendations to a future convention; and Wuereas, No overtures have been introduced to this convention to join either the NCC or WCC: therefore be it Resolved, That the CTCR continue to keep itself in- formed concerning both the NCC and WCC: and be it further Resolved, That no further action be taken concern- ing membership in the NCC and WCC. To Decline Lutheran World Federation Membership RESOLUTION 2-11 Report 2-01, I], G; Appendix E; Overtures 2-153, 2-154 point 1, 2-155, 2-156, 2-157 (CW, pp. 35, 40—42, 91—92) Whereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at Milwaukee, 1971, requested “Synod's CTCR carefully to Teview and evaluate the papers, reports, and recommen~ dations of the LWF Fifth Assembly” (Res. 3-06): and Wuereas, The CTCR has fulfilled this responsibility in its document entitled “Evian in Retrospect” (p. 40 ff.), and its recommendations to this convention (cf. CW, p. 35): therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod keep in contact with de- velopments of the LWF by being represented in the role of observer at meetings and by other means, and that the Synod's President keep the membership informed of developments: and be it further Resolved, That the Synod respectfully decline to make application for membership in the LWF at this time, REFERRED RESOLUTIONS To Continue Discussion with the Lutheran Church in America RESOLUTION 2-13 Report 2-01. IT. D; Overtures 2-144A through 2-150 (CW, pp. 35, 89—90) Preamble 1971 Proceedings, Resolution 3-14, asked the Presi- dent of the Synod in conjunction with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations “to assure the Lu- theran Church in America of our readiness to meet officially with a view toward finding the agreement in doctrine necessary for the establishing of pulpit and altar fellowship.” Discussions have been held under the aegis of the Lutheran Council in the USA through its Division of Theological Studies. Representatives of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church in America are presently engaged in these dis- cussions. Additional meetings have been scheduled for 1973 and 1974. Wuereas, Formal doctrinal discussions are still im- peded by the traditional position of the Lutheran Church in America that formal doctrinal talks are unnecessary for church bodies subscribing the same Confessions: and been WHEREAS, Agreement in doctrine has not reached; therefore be it Resolved, That we respectfully decline the overtures that ask the Synod to declare fellowship with the Lu- theran Church in America: and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod express its appreciation for the discussions that have been held to date with representatives of the Lu- theran Church in America: and be it further Resolved, That the Synod encourage its President. in consultation with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, to seek additional opportunities for multilevel doctrinal discussions with the Lutheran Church in America which include a discussion of the meaning of our mutual subscription to the Scriptures and the Confessions: and be it finally Resolved, That the President of the Synod and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations be re- quested to report to the Synod on the progress and re- sults of these discussions. To Continue Study of National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S. A. RESOLUTION 2-14 Report 2-01, I], H; Overtures 2-160, 2-161 (CW, pp. 35— 36, 93—94) Whereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at Denver. 1969. requested the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to study “the basis, structure, and operations of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.” (Res. 3-06), and again at Milwaukee, 1971, “to continue to study this matter” (Res. 3-07): and Wuereas, The President of the Synod responded to an NCC invitation and requested the Executive Secre- tary of the CTCR to be an official observer to the 1972 NCC Assembly: and Whereas, With the approval! of the CTCR, the Ex- ecutive Secretary accepted an appointment to the Faith and Order Commission of the NCC, to gain firsthand in- formation; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod request the CTCR to con- tinue its study of the NCC, and be it further Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures 2-160, point 2, and 2-161. To Warn and Provide Guidance Concerning the Charismatic Movement RESOLUTION 2-15 Report 2-01, I, B; Overture 2-87 (CW, pp. 30, 72—73) WHEREAS, Some members of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod have become involved in the charismatic movement; and Wuereas, The influence of the charismatic movement has caused dissension in several Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod congregations: and Wuereas, The movement is characterized by em- phasis on the “charismatic gifts.” by unionistic worship 433 practices, and by de-emphasis of other scriptural doc- trines, such as the means of grace and justification by faith alone: and Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations has released a position paper. “The Charis- matic Movement and Lutheran Theology,” which eval- uates the charismatic movement on the basis of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions: therefore be it Resolved. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod warn its members about the dangers of the charismatic movement: and be it further Resolved, That the Synod commend the position pa- per, “The Charismatic Movement and Lutheran The- ology.” to its members for reference, study, and guid- ance: and be it further Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church Relations in conjunction with their further studies prepare additional specific guidance for the use of congregations in dealing with the charismatic move- ment: and be it finally Resolved, That when problems arise from church members’ involvement in the charismatic movement, church officers and congregations exercise brotherly ad- monition and discipline as prescribed in the Scriptures. To Decline Funding of ‘Concordia Theological Monthly” by Synod RESOLUTION 2-16 Overture 2-96, Second Resolve (CW, p. 75) Wuereas, The Concordia Theological Monthly is not an official organ of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: therefore be it Resolved, That the policy of not funding the CTM from the synodical treasury be continued and that Over- ture 2-96, the second resolve, be respectfully declined. To Establish Closer Liaison Re Doctrinal Supervision at Valparaiso University RESOLUTION 2-17 Overture 2-39 (CW, pp. 59-60) Whereas, The teaching of religion at Valparaiso Uni- versity is a matter of vital concern to The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod because the religious con- victions of the many students attending this institution of higher learning are inevitably shaped by the theolog- ical views and teachings of the faculty; therefore be it Resolved, That the faculty and administration of Val- paraiso University be encouraged to establish closer liaison with the President of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod regarding doctrinal supervision so that the constituency of the Synod will have the constant assurance that doctrinal supervision is being maintained. To Denounce Euthanasia RESOLUTION 2-18 Overture 2-62 (CW, p. 66) Wuereas, The willful taking of the life of one indi- vidual by another individual is contrary to the Word of God (Ex. 20:13): therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod cannot condone euthanasia. To Reaffirm Synodical Position on Abortion RESOLUTION 2-19 Overtures 2-59 through 2-61G, 2-63A through 2-66, 2-68 (CW, pp. 65—68) Wuereas, Life is a gift of God and human beings are created for eternal life. and Wuereas, Resolution 2-39 passed at the Milwaukee convention stated: “that the Synod regard willful abor- tion as contrary to the will of God”: and Wuereas, The CTCR has prepared the document: “Abortion: Theological. Legal, and Medical Aspects’; and Wuereas. The CTCR intends to continue to review the issue of abortion and produce additional materials on the subject, giving attention to provisions for pas- toral guidance, taking into account the continually