LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 181

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 181

division as contrary to God’s purpose (1 Cor. 1:10; 3:3-9; 2 Tim.
2:23-24; Titus 3:9-11); and

WHEREAS, St. Paul admonishes us to forebear one another in
love, indicating that while oneness is given us in Christ, we
nonetheless encounter an ongoing struggle for its practical
realization (Rom. 14:1—15:13; Eph 4:1-3; ef. Acts 15:1-35);
therefore be it

Resolved, That we treasure our fellowship with The Ameri-
can Lutheran Church, acknowledging the blessing of God
which comes as we share the Word together (1 Cor 9:19-23; 1 Cor
12:4-7; Eph 4:15-16); and be it further

Resolved, That we continue our doctrinal discussions with
the ALC patiently and evangelically (1 Cor 10:31-33; 1 Tim
6:3-6; 2 Tim 2:22-26), aware that many of the same theological
questions which surface in discussions between the LCMS and
the ALC are found within the LCMS itself; and be it finally

Resolved, That such diversity of viewpoint on complex
theological issues need not indicate doctrinal indifference, but
rather demonstrate different interpretations of Scripture on
the controverted issues and therefore such diversity invites our
continued study and dialog.

Brookfield Lutheran Church
Brookfield, Wis.

Harvey D. Lange, Pastor
Charles Rau, President

Identical or similar:

3-66B to 3-66D

Redeemer, Albuquerque, N.M.
Trinity, Bemidji, Minn.
Peace, New Berlin, Wis.

Charles Borgman
Paul Griebel
Martin Bangert

3-67A

To Restore Full Fellowship with ALC

WHEREAS, The altar and pulpit fellowship between the
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and The American Luther-
an Church declared in 1969 is presently being placed in
jeopardy by some over difference on certain issues such as
abortion and women’s ordination; and

WHEREAS, Since the beginning of the Christian church there
have been differences in opinion and judgment on certain
matters peripheral to the central core and content of faith; and

WHEREAS, Those who break fellowship with other Christians
assume the burden of proving beyond a shadow of doubt from
the Holy Scriptures not only the correctness of their teaching
but that also stated disagreements threaten and destroy the
faith; and

WHEREAS, The church always stands under her Lord’s plea
“that they be one” and under the injunction of the Apostle to
“strive to maintain the unity in the bond of peace” and that the
church is nourished and enriched by the Holy Spirit with a
variety of insights, understandings, and gifts; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and The
American Lutheran Church are part of one confessional
movement within the total body of Christ, holding to the
Sacred Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions as their norm
and common understanding of the one faith and are therefore
yoked together in common ministry and mission; and

WHEREAS, There are many examples of congregations of
both synods celebrating and implementing this fellowship,
enriching one another in the Gospel and jointly working
together in the mission of our Lord; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank the Lord for the extent of the unity
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and The American
Lutheran Church has been given by the Lord; and be it further

Resolved, That full fellowship be restored and implemented
by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod with The American
Lutheran Church.

St. Michael Lutheran Church
Portage, Mich.
Marcia Gooch, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-67B to 3-67E

Our Redeemer, Washington, Mich.
First, Phillipsburg, Kans.

Trinity, Utica, N.Y.

Redeemer, Melbourne, Fla.

Raymond Wilson
Lyle Sawyer
Ronald Bornick
Alfred Lutzeier

3-68
To Continue Fellowship

WHEREAS, The LCMS will consider the fellowship with the
ALC in convention assembled this summer of 1981; and

WHEREAS, Our LCMS at its 1969 convention encouraged
LCMS churches and pastors in pulpit and altar fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Many church and pastors following this leader-
ship implemented and deepened relationships with neighbor-
ing ALC churches in a warm and fraternal] atmosphere; and

WHEREAS, God has blessed this increasing fellowship in
many areas of our land; and

WHEREAS, The differences now Set forth in “A Statement of
Doctrinal Differences,” dated October 1980, and put in the
hands of LCMS churches and pastors in February 1981 in
many instances do not appear in local relationships; therefore
be it

Resolved, That we petition our LCMS in assembly this
summer of 1981 to continue its fellowship with the ALC; and be
it further

Resolved, That ministers and laymen from congregations
already in close fellowship be asked for their counsel and
advice regarding any unresolved doctrinal issues; and be it
finally

Resolved, That we remind ourselves of our human frailities
and in brother love, as Christ has loved us, pray for and with
one another as we, LCMS and ALC, continue to live and work
together for the greater glory of the kingdom of God.

First Lutheran Church

El Cajon, Calif.

Q. H. Lehmann, Chairman
Sarah Weiss, Secretary

3-69A

To Distinguish Between Synodical
and Congregational Fellowship
with the ALC

WHEREAS, Our Synod in convention declared altar and
pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran Church (Denver
3-15); and

WHEREAS, The implementation of this fellowship must be
decided by the local congregation with no congregation being
forced to exercise fellowship where true Christian fellowship
does not exist; and

WHEREAS, Many congregations and pastors have discovered
and been uplifted by the Christian fellowship they have
experienced with members of the ALC; and

WHEREAS, Some in our Synod are challenging the doctrines
of the ALC on a national level; and

WHEREAS, These charges of non-Lutheran doctrines are not
always the doctrines taught by local congregations and their
pastors; therefore be it

Resolved, That each member congregation retain the right
to judge whether the teachings of a neighboring congregation
of The American Lutheran Church are truly Lutheran,
independent of the synodical relationship between the ALC
and the LCMS; but be it further

Resolved, That each congregation carefully consider the
reasons for the position of the LCMS before it makes any
decision about fellowship with the ALC on a local level; and be
it further

Resolved, That, just as a congregation has the right to say