Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1983 · 55th Convention › Page 117
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 117

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 117

unity. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and other Christians
are in official dialogue with Lutherans and are reporting
significant agreement on the doctrines of Baptism, Holy
Communion, Ministry, Scripture, and the Gospel.

Is The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s suspension of
altar and pulpit fellowship with the ALC a necessary course in
order to defend the faith? Here is an opportunity for The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to make a significant
contribution to Christian unity by taking the step of restoring
altar fellowship not only with the ALC but with all Lutherans.

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s suspen-
sion of altar and pulpit fellowship impedes progress toward
Christian unity; and

WHEREAS, The differences that separate the LCMS from
other Lutheran bodies are primarily in the teaching ministry of
the church rather than in the administration of the sacra-
ments; and

WHEREAS, The meaning of the Eucharist is common to all
Lutheran bodies; therefore be it

Resolved, That to facilitate unity and to prevent confusion
at the lay level, altar fellowship be separated and distinguished
from pulpit fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, That altar fellowship be established with all
Lutherans; and be it finally

Resolved, That dialogues be resumed and continued on a
regular basis with all Lutheran bodies until that time when all
divisions are healed.

University Lutheran Church
La Jolla, Calif.

Craig Allen, President
David Doll, Vice-President

3-71

To Designate Different Levels
of Fellowship Decisions

WHEREAS, The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ
for the benefit of all who believe in Christ as the promised
Messiah; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod believes
it offers the Lord’s Supper in accordance with Christ’s institu-
tion; and

WHEREAS, The proper receiving of the Lord’s Supper is an
individual responsibility; therefore be it

Resolved, That an individual Missouri Synod Lutheran is to
decide whether or not the circumstances make it proper to
commune at an altar of another denomination; and be it
further

Resolved, That the meaning which each Missouri Synod
congregation attaches to fellowshiping at its altar be made
clear to those who wish to partake; and be it further

Resolved, That, when acting as a synodical body, we refer to
altar fellowship and pulpit fellowship as two separate issues.

Jefferson Park Lutheran Church
Chicago, Il.

Charles Cooney, Chairman
Marian Markus, Secretary

3-72

To Work Towards External Unity
in the Body of Christ

WHEREAS, The body of Christ is one(Eph. 4; 1 Cor. 12); and
WHEREAS, Our humanity after the Fall affects the outward
unity of the body of Christ; therefore be it

Resolved, That we repent of our human pride where it
prevents outward manifestation of Christ’s body as one: and be
it further

Resolved, That we never lose sight of nor cease striving for

outward oneness in the body of Christ, beginning within the
Lutheran family (Lord’s Prayer-Second and Third Petitions;
the synodical Constitution, Article III, Section 1).

University Lutheran Church
Whitewater, Wis.

Glen Anderson, President
Jim Hofer, Secretary

Wm. Bloom, Jr., Pastor

LCUSA
3-81A

To Terminate LCUSA Membership

WHEREAS, Membership of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod in the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. continues to
involve our Synod in relationships with other Lutheran synods
with which we are not in doctrinal agreement; and

WHEREAS, Such relationships often have to do with matters
relating to doctrine and practices with which our Synod is not
in agreement, such as news releases, lobbying efforts, issuance
of statements, and publication of materials; and

WHEREAS, Doctrinal discussions under the sponsorship of
LCUSA over the past have not resulted in greater harmony
between the LCMS and other bodies within LCUSA; and

WHEREAS, The other synods, other than the LCMS, have
now agreed to merge into one church body and also to practice
altar fellowship with at least one non-Lutheran church body;
and

WHEREAS, Membership of the LCMS in LCUSA continues to
cost sizable sums of money which might be better directed
toward purposes our Synod can support wholeheartedly; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
terminate its membership in the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Fairmont, Minn.

LaVern Schulz, Chairman
Douglas K. Janetzke, Pastor
Vernon H. Harley, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-81B and 3-81C
Mt. Hope, Casper, Wyo.
Trinity, Cheyenne, Wyo.

J.B. Brown
Carl Marvin

3-82A

To Withdraw from LCUSA

WHEREAS, Because LCUSA has desirable goals and does
many good things, the LCMS should continue to speak well of
its goals; and

WHEREAS, Some of the doctrinal positions of the current
members of LCUSA are different and even in conflict with one
another, particularly in conflict with LCMS positions; and

WHEREAS, Some of the publicly identified publications,
projects, and positions of LCUSA are, at best, not in accord
with and, at worst, are in opposition to the Biblical, confes-
sional, and constitutional stance of the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Despite considerable discretion exercised by the
LCMS in not engaging in some of the controversial programs
of LCUSA and in declining to endorse some of the publica-
tions, projects, and positions of LCUSA, there is often an
impression given to the public or interpreted by the public that
LCUSA publications, projects, positions, and practices are
fupported and promoted by all LCUSA members: therefore

eit