LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 97

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 97

In addition to the above persons, the following members
served on the SCC during the past biennium: Dr. V. Jean
Garton (secretary), Dr. Richard Bardolph (CTCR liaison), Dr.
Eugene Gruell. Dr. Frederick Hofmeister. and Dr. Gilbert
Meilaender. Dr. Meilaender was elected chairman of the SCC
following the resignation of Dr. Linse. Staff services to the

_ committee are provided by Dr. Samuel Nafzger and Rev. Jerald
Joersz. Due to the numerous changes in personnel and to
continued budgetary constraints, the SCC at the time of this
report has met only four times during the past biennium. One
more meeting is planned before the 1983 convention of the
Synod.

The report on “Human Sexuality: A Theological Perspec-
tive” prepared by the SCC was adopted by the CTCR in April
1981 and distributed to all pastors. teachers. and congre-
gations of the Synod in the fall of 1981. An excerpted version of
this report was printed in the February 1982 issue of the
Lutheran Witness. TheSCC has been informed that this report
has received a number of favorable reviews and that numerous
requests for copies have been received from pastors and
members in other Lutheran synods in the United States and
overseas (e.g.. the Lutheran Church of Australia).

The SCC has presently given high priority to the completion
of anew report on abortion. In the preparation of this document
the committee has been monitoring with increasing concern
legal, medical. and societal developments since the fateful 1973
decision of the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade. It views with
considerable urgency the publication of an updated sequel to
its 1971 report “Abortion: Theological. Legal. and Medical
Aspects” in order to provide guidance to Christians as they
bear witness to God's will in this area.

Within recent months the SCC has received two new
assignments which have been forwarded to it by the CTCR.
The CTCR and its Social Concerns Committee have been
requested by the executive secretary of the Board for Social
Ministry Services to prepare a study on “The Theology of
Social Ministry.” which will provide the theological foundation
out of which the Synod’s social ministry program activities
should arise. President Bohlmann forwarded to the CTCR and
its SCC a request to review existing documents, position
papers, and other materials prepared in the Synod on the issue
of church-state relations and requested a summary of this
review. President Bohlmann indicated that he had received a
request from I.CUSA that its member bodies review their
documents related to civil disobedience and provide a report on
any necessary steps they might be taking to assure their
adequacy in the present context. Moreover, he indicated that
the Svnod’s Board of Directors has asked that in view of recent
discussions on such issues as tuition tax credits, prayer in
public schools. the peace question, etc., a committee look into
the broader question of church-state relationships.

The SCC is at the present time completing work on a basic
study paper on “Christian Counseling,” which evaluates from
a theological perspective the various presuppositions which
underlie some well-known methods of counseling.

The staff of the CTCR and members of the SCC continue to
be involved in activities related to the SCC’s responsibility to
carry out studies of various contemporary issues of social
concern. Dr. Nafzger and Dr. Hofmeister have been partici-
pating in a special study project carried out under the auspices
of the Division of Theological Studies of LCUSA on the matter
of in vitro fertilization. The SCC has received regular reports
on this consultation.

The committee has continued to receive reports regarding
the activities of Lutherans for Life. including the first annual
convention of this organization, held in Milwaukee. Dec. 12—
13, 1982. Dr. Garton and Rev. Joersz made presentations at this
convention. Dr. Garton is president of LFL. and until recently
Dr. Linse has been its executive director. This inter-Lutheran
group was founded in 1978 to provide a common witness for all
Lutherans concerned about fostering an increased reverence
for life as a sacred gift from God. The SCC is pleased to report
that during the past biennium. CTCR staff has had an
opportunity to serve on a special committee appointed to
prepare materials for Respect Life Sunday, held on the third
Sunday in January.

Appendix 3-01B
Report of ALC/LCMS Coordinating Committee

The 1981 synodical convention, noting that both the ALC
and the LCMS recognize the existence of doctrinal differences
between them, voted to bring to an end the altar and pulpit
fellowship relationship which had originally been declared
with the American Lutheran Church in 1969 (cf. 1981 Res.
3-01). In taking this action, the Synod made no provision to
continue the Commission on Fellowship, which had served as
the forum for official discussions between the ALC and the
LCMS from 1969 until 1981.

Through their presidents both the ALC and the LCMS
indicated their desire to continue to hold discussions with each
other. The LCMS resolution on altar and pulpit fellowship with
the ALC concluded by resolving, “That the LCMS herewith
commit itself to pursue doctrinal discussions with the ALC
with the prayer that the Lord of the church will send His Holy
Spirit to guide and bless these discussions.” Although the ALC
Church Council had invited the LCMS immediately prior to the
LCMS convention to join in ‘widespread regional and local
consultations” which should “precede any action to terminate
fellowship between our churches” (1981 Proceedings, p. 81),
ALC President David Preus told the LCMS convention dele-
gates shortly after the adoption of Resolution 3-01 that he was
“confident the ALC will say yes to such discussions” (1981
Proceedings. p. 119).

In keeping with these provisions, therefore, Presidents
Bohlmann and Preus arranged for contacts between ALC and
LCMS representatives. Meeting in Minneapolis in October
1981 and in St. Louis in January 1982, three representatives
from each church body prepared and accepted the following
statement as a guide for discussions between the ALC and the
LCMS:

A Working Statement on ALC/LCMS Discussions

I. The purpose of discussions between the ALC and LCMS is
to sustain and nurture ongoing relationships between the
church bodies in the hope that these relationships can be
deepened and strengthened.

II. A committee, the ALC LCMS Coordinating Committee,
has been established.

A. The committee will be composed of three persons from
each church body: the general president, the chairman
of the Council of District Presidents, and an associate of
the general president or one other person designated by
the president.

B. The committee will normally meet twice each year, once
in Minneapolis and once in St. Louis.

Cc. rhe purpose of the committee will be:

. To give consideration to those questions which are of
mutual concern and of importance to the relationship
between the church bodies:

2. To nurture the relationship between the church bod-
ies:

3. To isolate, define. and address those issues which
may enhance a growing relationship between the
church bodies: and

4. To coordinate and evaluate discussions and initia-
tives on all levels.

III. Regional local pilot discussions will be initiated.

A. Regional. local pilot discussions are to be developed in
at least two areas.

B. They are to be planned in ways which are most helpful
and appropriate to the regional, local settings.

C. Two members of the ALC: LCMS Coordinating Com-
mittee will serve as liaison with and provide assistance
to the regional local areas in the planning of the
discussions.

D. There are two possible foci for the discussions:

1. One focus could be on fellowship, possibly using the
LCMS Guidelines, as presented to the 1981 Convention
of the LCMS, as a basis for mutual discussion.

2. Asecond focus could be on mission. This focus would
consider those things that should be done together to
enhance the common witness of the church bodies.

IV. The Division of Theological Studies of the Lutheran Coun-
cilin the U.S.A. was reaffirmed as the primary locus forthe