LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 98

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98 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

study and discussion of major theological issues. This has
been done particularly in view of a rather imminent decision
on the part of the ALC to form a new church body with the
Lutheran Church in America(LCA)and the Association of
Evangelical Lutheran Churches(AELC). Hence. it is impor-
tant that major theological issues be discussed in a setting
which provides for meaningful participation by both the
LCA and the AELC. The Division of Theological Studies of
the Lutheran Council is most appropriate.

V. Short-term groupings of theologians will be convened by
the ALC. LCMS Coordinating Committee. as deemed neces-
sary. to consider those doctrinal issues which have been
raised by the LCMS convention or which may develop in
other contexts.

There was also agreement in the coordinating committee
that the process established in 1969 for the transfer of clergy
from one church body to another should be continued for an
indefinite period. This action was endorsed by the ALC Church
Council.

Representing the LCMS in these preliminary discussions
were President Ralph Bohlmann: Dr. Wilbert Griesse, chair-
man of the Council of Presidents: and Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger.
executive secretary of the CTCR. ALC participants were
President David Preus, Dr. August Wenzel. and Dr. Morris
Sorenson. In 1982 Dr. Roger Fjeld replaced Dr. Sorenson, and
Dr. August Mennicke. the new chairman of the LCMS Council
of Presidents, took the place of Dr. Griesse. Two additional
meetings of the coordinating committee were held in May 1982
and in January 1983.

The coordinating committee. in accordance with “A Work-
ing Statement,” has provided an ongoing forum for contacts
between the ALC and LCMS. Items of mutual interest have
been discussed. The committee also initiated pilot discussions
between ALC and LCMS representatives in two different areas
of the country. Three LCMS and three ALC pastors, together
with their District president, have been meeting regularly in
the Houston area. Six pastors, three lay people, and the District
presidents have held two meetings in the Northern Illinois
area. Each of these pilot discussions will be submitting reports
of their talks together to the coordinating committee later this
year.

The coordinating committee is at present in the process of
arranging for short-term groupings of theologians to discuss
such topics as the authority of Scripture. the doctrine of the
ministry, and additional approaches to inter-Christian re-
lationships beside altar and pulpit fellowship.

The LCMS representatives tothe ALC LCMS Coordinating
Committee are grateful for the opportunity which this forum
has provided for continuing contact with The American Luther-
an Church. It is our prayer that God may continue to bless our
discussions so that eventually progress may be made toward
achieving agreement in the areas of our doctrinal disagree-
ments.

Appendix 3-01C
Report on LCMS/ELCC Discussions

In response to Resolution 3-07 of the 1981 convention of the
Synod. a meeting was held on Jan. 6—8, 1983, between repre-
sentatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada and
the LCMS. Representing the LCMS at these discussions were
Rev. Elroy Treit. president. Lutheran Church—Canada: Rev.
Ed Lehman. president. ABC District of the LCMS: Rev. Allen
Schade. member. Department of Theology and Church Re-
lations. LC—C: and Dr. Samuel Nafzger. executive secretary of
the CTCR. Representing the ELCC were Dr. S. T. Jacobson.
president. ELCC: Dr. William Hordern. president. and Dr.
Roger Nostbakken and Dr. Erwin Buck. faculty members.
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon: and Rev. Glen
Johnson, president, Camrose Lutheran College.

The meeting was devoted to a discussion of the concerns
that have been raised in conventions of the LCMS since 1977
concerning fellowship arrangements and agreements into
which the LCMS and ELCC have entered. Attention was given
to an historical review of developments since the LCMS’s 1969
declaration of fellowship with the ALC and to a review of the
issues in need of future discussion. The representatives noted

that the following areas of concern need to be addressed: the
authority of Scripture, the ordination of women, altar and
pulpit fellowship. practical applications of the fellowship issue
in Canada, and the Sacrament of the Altar—understanding
and practice.

The next meeting of the LCMS EICC discussions will be
held on June 7—9, 1983. On the agenda of this session will be
an ELCC response to the CTCR’s 1981 report on “The Nature
and Implications of the Concept of Fellowship” and an LCMS
paper on the authority of Scripture. Discussion at this meeting
will center on the issues which led to the dissolution of the
JCILR (Joint Council of Inter-Lutheran Relationships) in 1977,
viz., the ordination of women and the authority of Scripture.

3-02

Report of
Commission on Doctrinal Review

In the biennium since the last convention the members of
the commission reviewed the Bylaws dealing with doctrinal
review. Members of the commission are of the opinion that no
major changes need to be proposed.

Some appeals have been received on materials already
published. The present Bylaws do not give express direction for
the handling of such appeals. The commission in a meeting on
July 7. 1981, adopted certain provisional operational pro-
cedures to handle appeals on published materials. These
provisional operational procedures were ‘“‘tested” in the bi-
ennium. The commission is submitting a memorial to the
Synod in which the Synod is asked to include an appeals
procedure for materials already published.

Some concern has been expressed about materials which do
not pass through the doctrinal review process. The commission
respectfully calls attention to the responsibility of District
presidents for certain materials as stipulated in Bylaw 10.08c.

The members of the commission are grateful to Dr. Ralph
Reinke. president of Concordia Publishing House, and the
members of his staff for the efficient and careful manner in
which they continue to administer the doctrinal review process.

John E. Meyer. Chairman
Arthur F. Graudin. Secretary

3-03

Report of Commission on Organizations

There is no evidence of decline in either the number or the
growth rate of new religions. resurgent pagan religions, para-
church organizations and quasi-religious lodges that are trou-
bling pastors and congregations of the Synod. Witness is given
by the fact that the Commission on Organizations responded
to requests for information and counsel with 24.793 pieces of
literature and letters during the past biennium. The executive
secretary filled 141 speaking engagements during that period,
accepting approximately one-third of the invitations tendered.
Priority was given to official pastors’ and leaders’ conferences,
synodical schools, and meetings of auxiliary agencies of the
Synod.

The commission has kept in the forefront its primary
objective of proclaiming the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and has addressed itself to finding ways to multiply its
ministry without additional staff orincreased budget requests.
As partof this effort the executive secretary has participated in
the training of students at the synodical seminaries, requesting
them to serve as resource personnel in the geographic areas of
the church to which they are called. Fifty-five students have
completed the equivalent of 30 hours of training: the number of
trainees is expected to double in 1983. The commission also
participated in adding two new volumes to the very popular
How to Respond series of books on current religions, bringing
to 10 the number of books in the series.

Since many of the new religions have made university