LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 182

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182 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

no fellowship exists on a local level even though the Synod
says fellowship exists on a national level, so a congregation
has aright to say fellowship exists on a local level apart from
the relationship between the two synods on a national level;
and be it finally

Resolved, That each member congregation be urged to
consider this fellowship question with the ALC primarily on
the basis of how this relationship either hinders or supports the
mission of the local congregation to share the good news of
God’s grace and love for us in Christ Jesus with the people on
the local level.

Immanuel Lutheran Church
Tonawanda, NY

Wilbert C. Ellman, President
Geraldine Nagel, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-69B

St. Mark, North Tonawanda, N.Y. Thomas Spahn

3-70

To State Fellowship Requirements

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at its
Dallas Conv. in 1977 declared itself to be in a state of ‘‘fellowship
in protest” with the American Lutheran Church (Res. 3-02A,
Proceedings, pp. 125—126); and

WHEREAS, This resolution has added four new requirements
for fellowship, namely, doctrinal agreement on (1) Scriptural
inerrancy, (2) the ordination of women, (3) the nature and basis
of fellowship, and (4) membership and participation in
ecumenical organizatons; and

WHEREAS, Two additional categories of alleged differences
have since been cited, namely, (1) Holy Scripture: authority
and interpretation, and (2) the Lutheran Confessions: sub-
scription and diversity (see “The American Lutheran Church
and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; A Statement of
Doctrinal Differences,’’ October, 1980, based upon ‘“‘The
Function of Doctrine and Theology in Light of the Unity of the
Church,” 1978, referred to as the FODT report); and

WHEREAS, These new prerequisites for altar and pulpit
fellowship demand more than is required by (1) the Scriptures
themselves; (2) the Unaltered Augsburg Confesson of 1530; (3)
the ‘Theology of Fellowship” document received at the Detroit
convention in 1965 /Proceedings, pp. 98 and 264—291); (4) the
Synod’s “Declaration of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the
Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church” in 1966 (Concordia
Theological Monthly, October 1966, p. 596); (5) the “Joint
Statement and Declaration of the Representatives” of The
American Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, and the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1967;
(6) Dr. Fred Kramer’s paper, ‘“‘The Fellowship Principle
According to Augustana VII" (1968); and (7) synodical Res.
3-15 adopted at Denver in 1969, “To Declare Altar and Pulpit
Fellowship with The American Lutheran Church” (see Pro-
ceedings pp. 96—99); therefore be it

Resolved, That we return to the original Scriptural, con-
fessional, and synodical basis for fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, “That we affirm as Lutheran Christians that the
Evangelical Lutheran Church is chiefly a confessional
movement within the total body of Christ rather than a
denomination emphasizing institutional barriers of separa-
tion” (“Mission Affirmations” adopted by Detroit convention,
1965 [ Proceedings, p. 80]); and be it finally

Resolved, That we join hands with all evangelical Lutherans
in worship and witness so that the world might be won for
Jesus Christ.

University Lutheran Church
La Jolla, Calif.

Richard Herbst, President
John George Huber, Pastor

3-71
To Postpone Action on Fellowship

WHEREAS, The CTCR “Bible Study on Fellowship” im-
presses on us that fellowship is a given relationship which
persons have with Jesus Christ by faith in Him; and, further-
more, fellowship is a reality which children of God have with
all believers; and furthermore, that Christ’s church is one; and
furthermore, God wills that the members of His church express
the fellowship given them in Christ; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR study material related to LCMS-ALC
fellowship has been received too late to give it thorough study
prior to this convention; and

WHEREAS, Any action regarding LCMS-ALC fellowship will
affect fellow Lutherans in local communities throughout our
nation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the members of our congregations be given
ample time to study the latest CTCR materials related to
LCMS-ALC fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR study and inform the members of
the LCMS prior to its next convention as to ways in which
fellowship among members of the body of Christ might be
expressed by members of the LCMS, especially in relationship
to fellow Lutherans; and be it finally

Resolved, That any action regarding LCMS-ALC fellowship
be tabled until the next LCMS national convention.

St. Martin’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Winona, Minn.

Charles O. Johnson, President
Richard L. Krenzke, Pastor

OTHER INTERCHURCH
AND FELLOWSHIP MATTERS

3-72

To Explore Ways to Effect Fellowship

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has had
a history of ecclesiastical fellowship with its former partners in
the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North
America and with The American Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, The divisions and schisms in the body of Chnist,
including many Lutheran circles, are a scandal in the sight of
all, including our Lord Jesus; and

WHEREAS, We are involved with “Fellowship in Protest” and
being reconsidered for reestablishment of fellowship by other
“protesting” Lutheran Synods; and

WHEREAS, We need to prayerfully consider this process of
declaring fellowship so that the most God-pleasing solution
might be discovered; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
continue to explore ways to establish true doctrinal unity in
order to effect a God-pleasing fellowship that will honor His
name and uphold the Sacred Scriptures; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod not
enter into fellowship with any Lutheran body in the United
States of America unless it at the same time joins in organiza-
tional unification.

Jehovah Ev. Lutheran Congregation
Chicago, III.

William Reichel, Chairman

Beulah Ballew, Secretary

3-73A

To Develop Closer Bonds

WHEREAS, The fellowship of believers is based on their
mutual faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; and

WHEREAS, Many passages of Sacred Scripture urge people of
God to recognize one another, to enjoy fellowship in the Gospel,
and to encourage and edify one another; and