LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 115

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 115

of interpretation—which also exist within our own Synod);
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
recognize the unity with which God has blessed us and
celebrate that unity by declaring fellowship with all other
Lutherans.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Minnetonka, Minn.

Carolyn Munkelwitz, Secretary
Arden H. Malotky, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-64B and 3-64C
Redeemer, Salt Lake City, Utah
Trinity, Spencerport, N.Y.

Ronald Brumm
Chas. N. Goehring

3-65

To Further Relationships with
Other Lutherans Within the
Florida-Georgia District

WHEREAS, The congregations of the Florida-Georgia District
find themselves in a continuing unique situation in that our life
and history as a District is closely tied with that of the
congregations of the Florida and Southeast Synods of the LCA,
the Southeastern District of the ALC, and the East Coast
Synod of the AELC; and

WHEREAS, Many of our congregations have existing relation-
ships of ministry of the Gospel with congregations of the
above-mentioned judicatories such as pastoral support groups,
schools, social ministry endeavors, mission planning councils,
and the like; and

WHEREAS, It is helpful for effective ministry of the Gospel
and for good stewardship practice that these existing relation-
ships continue; and

WHEREAS, All people are in need of the Gospel and the
church is called to be a servant church of the Gospel by
providing responsible pastoral and congregational care of all
people; and

WHEREAS, Our District itself isin an ongoing relationship of
effective ministry of the Gospel with the above-mentioned
judicatories in such endeavors, as Florida Lutheran Ministries,
regional planning consultations, youth events, campus minis-
tries, social ministry agencies, and the like; and

WHEREAS, We have found it extremely advantageous for
effective Gospel ministry to use these God-given gifts of shared
relationships; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Florida-Georgia District, assembled in
convention June 10—13, 1982, affirm the continuation of these
relationships (and exercise responsible pastoral care) with our
brothers and sisters in the local judicatories of the LCA, ALC,
and AELC so that effective ministry of the Gospel continue to
take place under the direction and guidance of the Lord of the
church; and be it further

Resolved, That we remember that we are walking as a
fellowship of congregations in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod and that we urge “responsible pastoral care”
to each other within that fellowship; and be it finally

Resolved, That we seek to further our existing relationships
with the local judicatories of the LCA, ALC, and AELC by
memorializing the 1983 convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod to:

a. further and intensify fellowship discussions with the
ALC,

b. continue to monitor the developments associated with
the Commission for a New Lutheran Church (CNLC) and
assure them of our continued desire for association in future
years.

Florida-Georgia District
L. Lloyd Behnken, President
Gerald W. Seaman, Secretary

3-66

To Continue in Altar
and Pulpit Fellowship with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada

WHEREAS, We have experienced good relationships with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada; and

WHEREAS, In many parts of Canada our congregations need
the support and encouragement of neighboring Lutheran par-
ishes; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
continue in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Canada.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Southey, Sask.

Norman Ritter, President
Brian Krienke, Secretary
Howard Ulmer, Pastor

3-67
To Promote Fellowship

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Church—Missoun Synod has a
long history of engaging in theological discussions with fellow
Lutherans and other Christians; and

WHEREAS, Some God-pleasing amalgamations, mergers,
and cooperative endeavors have taken place over the years
since our Synod was formed; and

WHEREAS, Wein Ohio have been blessed by God with cordial
and fruitful cooperation in the work of spreading the Gospel
along with the other 80% of the total Lutheran population of
our geographic area; and

WHEREAS, We liveina nation and world that is increasingly
populated with non-Christian people who are in urgent need of
the Gospel of God’s Son; and,

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Himself prayed for (John 17) and
earnestly desires the unity of His people so that the world will
know that He was sent by our Father to be the Redeemer of all;
and

WHEREAS, ‘Fellowship with Jesus Christ immediately re-
sults in fellowship among His people” (CTCR, ‘Bible Study on
Fellowship,” p. 17); and

WHEREAS, “‘All believers in Christ are members of His one
body, possessing ‘one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one
Baptism, one God and Father’”’ (‘bid.); and

WHEREAS, ‘“‘God unites believers with Himself and each
other by means of the Gospel and the sacraments” (ibid.); and

WHEREAS, The use of the Word and sacraments makes us
“Christ’s holy people, whether in a local congregation, orin a
larger grouping of congregations...” (¢bid.) such as our District
and Synod; and

WHEREAS, Our Lord has no desire that His people be split,
fractured, and separated, but rather be a truly functioning
body (1 Cor. 12—14 and Rom. 12); and

WHEREAS, Our Lord directs us not to lose heart but to
endeavor ‘to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”’
(Eph. 4); therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention recognize that
individual Christians, Lutheran congregations, Districts, and
the Synod as a whole, at their appropriate levels, all have
responsibility to overcome lethargy about Christian fellowship
and Christ’s commission and make God-pleasing decisions on
the implementation of the fellowship we have with all Chris-
tians; and be it further

Resolved, That, through the Council of Presidents, our
LCMS implement, at the synodical, District, and congrega-
tional level a thorough word study of all Biblical words and
concepts having to do with the New Testament concept of
fellowship in Jesus Christ and among His believing people;
and be it further