LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 154

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154 RESOLUTIONS

committee made an editorial change in the second resolve by
inserting the word “which” for the word “and” and also
substituted for “the President of the Synod”’ in the fifth resolve
the words “all the members of the Synod under the leadership
of the President.” The convention rejected an amendment to
eliminate the third resolve. A motion was made and seconded
to strike the fourth resolve. A motion to recommit failed. When
discussion was resumed in Session 5, the committee submitted
a rearrangement of wording in the first whereas to eliminate
the passive voice. The amendment to eliminate the fourth
resolve failed to carry. The resolution was then adopted.)

To Encourage Participation
in Development of Guidelines
for Inter-Christian Relationships

RESOLUTION 3-03

Report 3-01, I, B, 3 (CW, p. 90); App. 3-01 B (CW, pp.
97—98); Overtures 3-61—3-65, 3-67—3-68, 3-70—
3-72, 3-98 (CW, pp. 114—117, 122)

WHEREAS, Our Synod has for generations studied
and debated the definition and exercise of God-pleasing
Christian fellowship on various levels and in diverse
areas of the Christian life; and

WHEREAS, Requests for additional study and state-
ments on the subject of fellowship continue to be
received in a variety of contexts; and

WHEREAS, We should never lose sight of nor cease
striving for outward oneness in the body of Christ,
beginning within the Lutheran family; and

WHEREAS, The 1981 convention of the Synod adopted
a resolution requesting the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations to prepare practical guidelines to
assist the officials, pastors, teachers, congregations,
and individuals in the Synod in determining which
practices and activities are appropriate on the various
levels of inter-Lutheran and inter-Christian relation-
ships in which the Synod and its members are involved
(1981 Res. 3-03A); and

WHEREAS, The commission in response to this assign-
ment has developed a proposal for the preparation of
Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships, involving
widespread participation throughout the Synod over a
two-year period; therefore be it

Resolved, That all the members of the Synod be
encouraged to participate in this activity to help in the
development of these Guidelines for Inter-Christian
Relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That, while these guidelines are being
developed and studied, all of us in the Synod should
responsibly commit ourselves to mutually agreed-upon
fellowship policies, as reflected in the various resolu-
tions and principles adopted by the Synod, in brotherly
love to one another, and seeking the edification of all
members of His body.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Reaffirm and Implement
the Synod’s Pro-Life Position

RESOLUTION 3-04B

Report 3-01, I, B, 2 (CW, p. 90); App. 3-01A (CW, D:
97); Overtures 2-47, 3-23 (CW, pp. 88, 103—104)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
has consistently taken a strong position in support’
human life and in opposition to willful abortion (Reg
2-39, 1971, Milwaukee; Res. 3-08C, 1977, Dallas; .Reg
3-02A, 1979, St. Louis; Res. 3-02, 1981, St. Louis); an

WHEREAS, In the two years since the 1981 synodicak:
convention an additional two and one-half million liye
have been destroyed through legalized abortion; and,

WHEREAS, Instances of infanticide have be
reported at an increasing rate, in which newbor
children with motor or mental disabilities are permi
to die by the denial or ordinary care provided babi
born without such problems; and

WHEREAS, Complications—physical, emotional, g Ax
spiritual—arising from abortions have been dag ts
mented in both women and men; and

WHEREAS, There is an urgent need for the.¢o:
gregations and agencies of the Synod, in view of rece
Supreme Court decisions reaffirming the 1973 positi
on legalizing abortion, to receive encouragemen
materials from the Synod which will sensitize them,
their Christian responsibility with reference to pro-
concerns and which will provide guidance for
public witness of the Synod’s opposition to will
abortion; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its position t a
“(a) the living but unborn are persons in the sight of
from the time of conception (Job 10:9-11; Ps. 51:5; 139
17; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41-44); (b) as persons the un
stand under the full protection of God’s own prohibitig
against murder ( Gen. 9:6; Ex. 20:13; Num. 35:33;
7:19; 1 John 3:15); and (c) since abortion takes a hu
life, abortion is not a moral option, except as a tragic:
unavoidable byproduct of medical procedures necess
to prevent the death of another human being, viz.
mother” (1979 Res. 3-02A); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod repeat its instruction 4
program boards and instruct them to give high prio
to the preparation of materials for all age levels: in