LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 119

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 119

doctrinal discussions through free conferences such as were
common during the 19th century; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for some sort of association or
agency to oversee cooperation in purely external matters such
as immigration and refugee services and other specialty
services; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bohlmann has encouraged a format which
would permit membership or at least some sort of observer
status for our former brothers in the Wisconsin and Evan-
gelical Lutheran Synods; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
endorse in principle Dr. Bohlmann’s proposal for a new inter-
Lutheran association; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS take immediate steps to withdraw

yom the programs of LCUSA and that this withdrawal be
completed by the 1986 LCMS convention; and be it further

Resolved, The proposed new inter-Lutheran association be
functioning no later than Jan. 1, 1988, when the new Lutheran
body comes into existence; and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMS formally recommend that the
new agency eliminate those functions which involve doctrinal
differences with the LCMS, violations of our fellowship princi-
ples, and/or divergent political or ethical emphases, spe-
cifically joint campus ministries, joint mission planning and
comity arrangements, the news and public relations bureaus,
Indian affairs, and governmental relations.

Salem Lutheran Church
Gretna, La.

G. Robert Murphy, President
Curtis A. Peterson, Pastor

3-86

To Work Toward
New Inter-Lutheran Agency

WHEREAS, The emergence of the new Lutheran Church in
process suggests that a new Lutheran agency for cooperative
ministries needs to be developed; and

WHEREAS, The President of the Synod has suggested that
such a new agency should be in place by 1985: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod work toward a new inter-
Lutheran agency that would maintain. if not increase, the
present level of cooperation in all areas of mission and
ministry.

Western Pastors Conference
English District
Brian R. Dell. Secretary

3-87A

To Continue Support
for the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. has provided
a Vehicle for the vast majority of Lutherans in this country to
carry on theological discussions and ministry programs since
1967; and

WHEREAS, The Council continues to be the primary means
whereby our congregations can be involved in refugee place-
ment, military ministry, youth agency relationships, social
service relationships, campus ministries, film production and
distribution, and regional mission planning; and

WHEREAS, Three of the Council’s five member church bodies
are preparing to unite in 1988, thus possibly making necessary
arealignment of some Council programs and a continuation of
others, especially those related to governmental agencies; and

WHEREAS, Some congregations are concerned about the
Synod’s role in the Council, especially in light of a report by the
synodical President (Sept. 1982) which suggests that it may be

“difficult, if not impossible, for the Missouri Synod to maintain
even its present involvement ... let alone expand it”; and

WHEREAS, The Council cannot be expected to function as
effectively in mission if its future is placed “in limbo” for
several years; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Missouri Synod reaffirm its commitment
to the Lutheran Council inthe U.S.A. for the foreseeable future;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod thank its President for alerting
the Synod and other Council members to the need for realign-
ment of some programs prior to 1988 and that the Synod join its
President in urging a broad-based discussion of needed
changes with the goal of enhancing mission, ministry, and
cooperation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Missouri Synod maintain “its present
level ofinvolvement” in the Council through the next synodical
convention.

First Lutheran Church
Lakeview, Oreg.
Dean Boe, President

Identical or similar:

3-87B to 3-871

Zion, Westwood, N.J. Norman Brinkmann

St. James, Grand Rapids, Mich. R.S. Miller
Grace, Warminster, Pa. Paul Aldinger
Town & Country, Sacramento, Calif. Ron Becker
First, Helena, Mont. Oran Roy Bjamson
Mt. Olive, Pasadena, Calif. Jeff Matson

Marie Enfield

Trinity, Northfield, Minn.
Chas. N. Goehring

Trinity, Spencerport, N.Y.

3-88

To Encourage Participation
in the Lutheran Council

WHEREAS, Membership in the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A. has given The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod the
opportunity to work and serve with fellow Lutherans; and

WHEREAS, God has blessed us in united service in mission
planning, refugee settlement, Armed Forces, coordinated so-
cial ministry, continuing theological discussion, campus min-
istries, etc. and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions, as a result of their study and evaluation stemming from
Res. 3-18 in 1971, said “‘that the Missouri Synod participation
in Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. (LCUSA) is consistent with
the Synod's Scriptural and confessional position”: and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has ben-
efited from our participation in the council; and

WHEREAS, It would cost the LCMS a lot more money to
duplicate services; and

WHEREAS, The work of the council has been held back since
1975 by an LCMS policy of ‘selective participation” (i.e..
limited funding of minimum areas) in certain programs,
leaving our voice unheard in some areas and our supportive
hands unextended in other areas of our Savior’s mission; and

WHEREAS, The council has affirmed the full participation of
the Missouri Synod in its work by electing Synod members to
very important administrative and legislative positions; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its membership in the
Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. and its cooperative spirit with
other church body members, while seeking to shape the
council’s cooperative future and further expand the influence
of the Gospel in our nation; and be it further

Resolved, That our Synod strive to meet its full “fair share”
annual commitment to the council program, seeking to min-
ister to more and more people in the name of our Lord; and be it
finally