# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1979_S69 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) H PRESIDENT’S REPORT 69 ties. With the abundance of empty colleges on the market, it is doubtful that most of the other schools would be readily salable. And closed schools are still expensive to maintain, pay the taxes, and keep them in a marketable condition. The better alternative is to try to fill the schools. The Board of Directors supports the attempts of the Board for Higher Education to change the system in order to fill the schools. It supports the principle that the system of higher education should ‘“‘maximize the service each synodical school might contribute to fulfilling the objec- tives of the Synod (train full-time church workers) and to help each school serve its supporting constituency in that place.” 450th Anniversary, Augsburg Confession 400th Anniversary, Book of Concord 1980 signals the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession and the 400th anniversary of the Book of Concord. Our Commission on Theology and Church Relations has already begun to prepare for studies, conferences, and other edifying ways in which these two great events in the history of Lutheranism and of the Christian church can be celebrated. I recom- mend that the congregations and pastors give this matter very serious study and support. The Aid Associ- ation for Lutherans has made a generous grant to the Synod and Districts for projects dealing with this important subject. Hymnbook I would like to highlight particularly the matter of the new hymnbook for our Synod and encourage the Synod convention to adopt this resolution (No. 3-01). Inter-Lutheran Relationships In the area of inter-Lutheran relationships I would strongly urge the passage of Resolution 3-03, dealing with the continuation of our fellowship with The Amer- ican Lutheran Church; 3-05, dealing with the formation of an indigenous Lutheran Church—Canada; and 3-07, which proposes the continuation of membership in the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. Full information on these matters will be covered when Committee 3 reports. Discussions have also been held with groups that we have never had any contact with at any time in our past. I refer particularly to the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, headquartered in Minneapolis, and the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America, head- quartered in Fergus Falls, Minn., and the Evangelical Lutheran Federation of Tacoma, Wash. Thave come to have great respect for the theological stance of these groups. Representatives of the faculties of their schools have taken graduate work at our St. Louis seminary. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations passed a beautiful resolution at their last convention supporting our doctrinal position, and I would hope that the Synod would encourage that further discussions take place with these groups that would lead, if not to fellowship, at least to a closer working together and association. I would encourage the pas- toral conferences, particularly in Minnesota and the Dakotas, where these churches have the bulk of their membership, as well as elsewhere throughout the coun- try, to invite their pastors and to try to draw closer together. Meetings have also been carried on with the Wiscon- sin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, both of which were in fellowship with us in the old Synodical Conference. These meetings have been helpful and far more cordial than meetings held several years ago. I hope and pray that it will be possible for us sometime to reestablish fellowship with these beloved brethren, and I urge the Synod to ask its officers and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to continue its efforts in this direction. Meetings have also been carried on with the Associ- ation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC), the group of those who left us. The full report of this is in the Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. This group has taken a position calling for merger of all Lutherans, and their request has also been given over to the consideration of our Commission on Theology and Church Relations. It may be premature to talk about bringing back into our membership those parishes which resigned in order to become affiliated with the AELC. More time and patience may be needed, so that the process of under- standing, healing, and improved relationships may develop between ourselves and those who have left our fellowship. It now may be premature to find a possible way for reconciliation and the establishment of fellowship and acceptance. But we should not give up in these efforts. We have special concerns for the AELC congregations and schools and also for their pastors and teachers, knowing that they who were once with us are now separated by their own decisions. We certainly want them to know that, should they in any way find it desirable to return to us, we will do everything possible to restore good relationships. Canada This year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of what was originally called the Canada District, an antecedent of the present Ontario District. Would not this be a very appropriate time to give serious encouragement to the creation of an indi- genous church in Canada which would not only cele- brate a centennial but celebrate a new beginning of expanded work in a great and exciting country? Please note the proposals of Committee 3 on this matter. Brazil I would strongly urge the convention to approve the resolution presented by Committee 1 relative to partner- church status for our Brazil District. Much was said on this at the time I reported at the Memorial Day weekend, so I will not repeat it except to say that I believe this would be a fine forward step on the part of our church for the sake of our brethren in Brazil.