LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 122

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122 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

16:17), as stated in Article III, 1 of the Synod’s Constitution;
and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has condemned such
unionistic practices in 1977 and 1981, including the severing of
formal fellowship with The American Lutheran Church for
false doctrine and unionistic practices; and

WHEREAS, Sufficient time has elapsed for most, if not all,
District Presidents to have taken such actions as are necessary;
and

WHEREAS, The District Presidents are thoroughly aware of
the provisions and requirements for membership in the Synod:
and

WHEREAS, Unionistic practices are offensive and create
disharmony and confusion within congregations, Circuits,
and Districts among both pastors and laity; therefore be it

Resolved, That the District Presidents be directed by The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention fraternally
to admonish all violaters of Article VI, 2 a and boftheSynod’s
Constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That, if the first and second admonitions have
failed to resolve the unionistic practices. disciplinary action
toward removal from synodical membership be instituted
against all such violaters holding membership in the Synod by
the respective District President: and be it finally

Resolved, That. if the District President in such District
where violations occur does not resolve the matter within one
year, then the President of the Synod shall remove such
District President until such time as the District next meets in
convention to elect a replacement.

Faith Lutheran Church
Godfrey, II].

M. C. Neuhaus, President
Betty Brown, Secretary:

3-97A

To End Unionistic Activities

WHEREAS, Both clergy and congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod sign the Constitution and Bylaws of
the Synod upon voluntarily joining, thereby signifying that
they accept the conditions for joining and holding membership
in that church body; and

WHEREAS, ‘Taking part in the services and sacramental
rites of heterodox congregations or of congregations of mixed
confession” (LCMS Constitution, Art. VI, 2 b) is expressly
forbidden and is thus a violation of the conditions for holding
membership in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Public violations of these conditions for member-
ship in Synod through involvement in unionistic worship
services (including those services euphemistically labeled as
“rallies,” “‘celebrations,” etc.) by member clergy and congrega-
tions of the Synod have been thoroughly documented through-
out the church; and

WHEREAS, Such unionism violates the conservation and
promotion of the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10)
and a united defense against schism and sectarianism (Rom.
16:17), as stated in Art. III, 1 of the Synod’s Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Such unionistic practices are offensive and
create disharmony within congregations, Circuits, and
Districts among both clergy and laity; therefore be it

Resolved. That District Presidents be directed by the Synod
in convention fraternally to admonish all violators of Article
VI, 2a and 2 b of the Synod’s Constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That if the first and second admonitions have
failed to resolve the unionistic practices, disciplinary action
toward removal from synodical membership be instituted
against all such violators holding membership in the Synod, by
the District President in whose synodical District said violator
holds membership; and be it finally

Resolved, That if the District President in such District
where violations occur does not resolve the matter within one

year, or within a reasonable period of time as determined by the

President of the Synod (but not to exceed two years), then the

President of the Synod shall remove such District President

from office for dereliction of duty and appoint an acting

president until such time as the District next meets in conven-
tion to elect a replacement.

Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church

Hickory, N.C.

James Hawn, President

Deborah Blinson, Secretary

Connor L. Corkran Jr., Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-97B to 3-97G

Redeemer, Delta, Colo.

Beautiful Savior, Broomfield, Colo.
St. John’s, Truman, Minn.

Mt. Calvary, Richfield, Minn.

St. Thomas, Rocky River. Ohio
Trinity, Hoyleton, III.

Alvin Hahn
Harlan Harnapp
Marvin W. Becker
Carl Tetzloff
Richard Dorow
Peter Kurowski

3-98

To Encourage Pastoral Participation
in Ecumenical Services

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus took every opportunity to
proclaim the Gospel to people in need of the Good News,
including weddings, funerals, and in times of sickness and
other distress; and

WHEREAS, The solemn call of Christian pastors is a call to
serve, to minister, to bring the light, love, healing, and peace of
our Savior to people in diverse and often confusing situations
in which they are found; and

WHEREAS, In many areas of our country Lutheran people are
in an extreme minority and it is the exception to deal with only
a Lutheran family when arranging weddings, funerals, etc.:
and

WHEREAS, Participation of Lutheran pastors in weddings,
funerals, civic ceremonies with clergymen of other denomina-
tions has provided our pastors the opportunity to minister toa
diverse number of people in need of spiritual counseling and
comfort without compromising the Word of God; therefore be it

Resolved, That pastors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod be encouraged to implement/continue participation
with other Christian clergy in ecumenical worship services,
weddings, funerals, etc., so long as their involvement does not
compromise the Word of God and so long as their involvement
affords the opportunity to proclaim a clear witness to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Minnetonka, Minn.

Carolyn Munkelwitz, Secretary
Arden H. Malotky, Pastor

3-99A
To Sponsor Free Lutheran Conferences

WHEREAS, The historic, orthodox Scriptural and Confes-
sional doctrine of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
needs to be shared both within and outside the Lutheran
Church in North America and throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The departure of many Lutheran bodies around
the world from the orthodox Lutheran Scriptural and Confes-
sional position causes soundly orthodox Lutheran congrega-
tions, groups, and individuals to seek out other Lutheran
synods which hold and profess the orthodox Scriptural and
Confessional stance of the Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, Such congregations, groups, and individuals are