LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 186

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186 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

p. 136) would disallow pastors and congregations from partic-
ipating with Christians of other denominations in “worship...
weddings, funerals, dedications, baccalaureates, etc.” on the
basis that such practice violates Art. VI of the Constitution,
which renounces “unionism and syncretism of every descrip-
tion, such as:... taking part in the services and sacramental
rites of heterodox congregations or of congregations of mixed
confession”; and

WHEREAS, This resolution implies that all congregations not
in formal fellowship with The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod are either heterodox or of mixed confession, thereby
indiscriminately reflecting negatively on the beliefs and prac-
tices of other Christians; and

WHEREAS, The very terms “unionism, syncretism,”
“heterodox,” and “mixed confession” are never defined in the
Constitution or Bylaws; and

WHEREAS, Refraining, in every case, from ecumenical wor-
ship, weddings, funerals, dedications, baccalaureates, etc., not
only deprives us of making a positive witness regarding our
loyalty to Christ, the Scriptures, and the Lutheran Confes-
sions, but also may in fact give a negative witness that the
LCMS congregations are self-righteous in faith and practice;
and

WHEREAS, Such a blanket policy on the part of the LCMS
reflects a lack of trust concerning the ability of local congrega-
tions, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to make theo-
logical and practical judgments for themselves respecting
ecumenical services: and

WHEREAS, The resolution is based on statements of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, the Com-
mission on Worship, and the Council of Presidents, which are
regarded as decisive and authoritative judgments rather than
simply opinion and advice; and

WHEREAS, Such a resolution casts doubt on the validity of
those experiences “in Christ” which Lutherans have shared
with non-Lutherans and have come to regard as genuine
expressions of the ‘‘unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”;
therefore be it

Resolved, That Res. 3-25 of the Dallas convention be
rescinded; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in
respect to ecumenical services and observances, adopt the
following guidelines for pastors and congregations:

a. Pastors and congregations in the LCMS are encouraged
to bear witness to Christ by participating in worship services
and observances with other Christians, doing so in a God-
pleasing manner and as circumstances permit.

b. Pastors and congregations are expected to refrain from
any ecumenical worship service or observance that violates
our commitment to Christ, the Scriptures, or the Confessions.

c. Pastors and congregations are trusted, under the guid-
ance of the Holy Spirit, to make God-pleasing decisions
regarding participation in ecumenical services and observ-
ances, and their judgments are to be respected.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Edward A. SchwentJr., President
Louis H. Launhardt, Pastor

a 66

3-86A

To Permit Participation
in Certain Ecumenical Services

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus took every opportunity to pro-
claim the Gospel to people in need of the Good News, including
weddings, funerals, and in times of sickness and other distress;
and

WHEREAS, The solemn call of Christian pastors is a call to
serve, to minister, to bring the light, love, healing, and peace of
our Savior to people in diverse and often confusing situations
in which they are found; and

_ WHEREAS In many areas of ourcountry Lutheran people are
in an extreme minority and it is the exception to deal with only

a Lutheran family when arranging weddings, funerals, etc.;
and

WHEREAS, Participation of Lutheran pastors in weddings.
funerals, civic ceremonies with clergymen of other denomina-
tions has provided our pastors the opportunity to minister toa
diverse number of people in need of spiritual counseling and
comfort without compromising the Word of God; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in
convention encourage Missouri Synod pastors to continue
participation with other Christian clergy in ecumenical wor-
ship services, weddings, funerals, etc., so long as their involve-
ment does not compromise the Word of God and so long as their
involvement affords the opportunity to proclaim a clear wit-
ness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Memphis, Tenn.

Paul R. Martens, Pastor
Ronald J. Wiese, Pastor
Harvelene Zumstein, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-86B and 3-86C

Peace, Eau Claire, Wis.
Bethlehem, Altoona, Wis.

Robert Gunderson
Dan Schnorr

3-87

To Withdraw from Joint Participation
in the Coordinating Committee :
for Cooperative Projects
in Congregational Life (CCCPCL)

WHEREAS, The Synod has for a number of years participated
in ajoint program of cooperative projects in congregational life
(Acronym: CCCPCL) which involves developing programs in
the field of worship, evangelism, youth ministry, social min-
istry, and stewardship with other Lutheran bodies (Res. 7-05,
Preamble, 1979 convention); and

WHEREAS, The doctrinal differences between our Missouri
Synod and these so-called cooperative bodies are apparent to
the point where the CTCR now recommends that the Synod
cancel pulpit-altar fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church; and

WHEREAS, The Synod never has been in fellowship with the
Lutheran Church in America because of doctrinal differences;
and

WHEREAS. Continued participation in CCCPCL programs
contradicts the CTCR recommendation re fellowship and
would be counterproductive to our Synod’s doctrinal stand and
practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod no longer participate in CCCPCL
programs in any way, on any level, by any board, committee,
subcommittee, group, or individual of the Synod; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod duly inform all
boards, committees, etc., of the Synod that this action is
effective immediately upon adoption of this resolution at the
1981 convention.

Mount Hope Lutheran Church
Casper, Wyo.

Tom Boyles, Secretary

J.B. Brown, Pastor

3-88A

To Intensify Dialogs
with Other Christians
WHEREAS, We confess to believe in one holy Christian
apostolic church; and

WHEREAS, In carrying out the Great Commission it would be
well to be involved in ministries with fellow Christians;
therefore be it