LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 159

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 159

WHEREAS, There is a need for study and discussion of
ike theological issues concerning human sexuality;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the document from the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations entitled “Human
Sexuality: A Theological Perspective” be commended to
the Synod for study and guidance, calling special
attention to the concluding “Affirmations”:

“We honor God and the neighbor rightly when we

—delight in our creation as male and female and
affirm our identity as male or female;

—see in our creation as sexual beings.an intimation
of our creation for fellowship and give thanks for
the healing which God offers in marriage;

—regard marriage as a divine, lifelong institution,
ordained by God for the good of man and woman;

—respect marriage as the typical, though not neces-
sary, expression of our creation as male and
female;

—affirm God’s will that sexual intercourse be
engaged in only between a man and woman
committed to a complete and lifelong sharing of
their lives with one another in a marriage covenant
not to be broken;

—affirm that the mutual love of husband and wife,
while possessing God-given meaning in and of
itself, is by divine blessing ordered toward the
birth of a child; and

—affirm that this union of mutual love is the only
proper context for human procreation.”

Action: Adopted (11).

(Two changes were made. The title had read: “To Affirm
Statements on Human Sexuality.” The committee added the
words “We honor God and the neighbor rightly when we.”)

To Continue Discussion with ELCC
RESOLUTION 3-15

Report 3-01, II, A, 2 (CW, p. 93); App. 3-01C (CW, p.
98); Overture 3-66 (CW, p. 115)

WHEREAS, Many of our.congregations have. experi-
enced good relationships with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Canada; and

WHEREAS, In many parts of Canada our congrega-
tions need the support and encouragement of neighbor-
ing ELCC parishes; and

WHEREAS, Some controverted issues that have arisen
between our two church bodies are currently under
discussion; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod urge continued discussions
with the ELCC during the coming triennium, with the
Prayer that the issues in question between our two
church bodies might be resolved.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Affirm Fellowship
with Confessional Lutheran Church
of Finland

RESOLUTION 3-16
Report 3-01, II, A, 1, b (CW, pp. 92—93)

WHEREAS, The Confessional Lutheran Church of
Finland has declared that it once again extends the
hand of church fellowship to The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, a relationship which our churches
enjoyed for nearly 50 years prior to the CLCF’s 1970
decision to suspend church fellowship with the Synod;
and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
has never officially broken fellowship with the CLCF;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod express its profound gratitude and praise to God
for the long history of fraternal association it has
enjoyed with the Confessional Lutheran Church of
Finland and, especially now for the recent decision of
this church to extend once again the hand of church
fellowship to our Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That in response to this overture of our
brethren in the CLCF the Synod reaffirm with thanks-
giving church. fellowship with the CLCF; and be it
finally .

Resolved, That. we petition our heavenly Father to
continue to enrich and strengthen in the days to come
the fellowship He has given to the Synod and this our
sister church.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Encourage Relations
with Lutheran Church of Australia

RESOLUTION 3-17A

Report 3-01, II, A, 3, g (CW, p. 94); Overture 3-93
(CW, pp. 120—121)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
has deep historical and theological bonds with the
Lutheran Church of Australia, particularly through the
former Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia
(ELCA), which in 1966 merged with the United Evangel-
ical Lutheran Church of Australia (UELCA) to form the
Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA); and

WHEREAS, Despite the Lutheran Church of
Australia’s decision at its constituting convention to
pursue the fellowship question “with urgency” (1966
Report, p. 14), it has so far not been possible for the
Lutheran Church of Australia to sort out its ecumenical
fellowship relations; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has on several occasions
expressed its desire to establish altar and pulpit fellow-