LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Sheet 113

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112 OTHER PRESENTATIONS

has directed me to be in communication with The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod concerning the altar- and pulpit-
fellowship issue.

After consultation with Lutheran Church—Canada rep-
resentatives, it was decided that we might better pursue
this at a time when the proposed formation of an auton-
omous partner in Canada of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod would take place or that decision would have
been made. I want to say that on the basis of our church
council’s action and the concerns which have been ex-
pressed to me directly, we look forward to discussing the
mutual concerns we have about altar and pulpit fellowship,
especially since one of our church bodies was in fellowship
with your church.

We do cherish the relationships we have with the Lu-
theran Church—Canada, especially the cooperative efforts
through agencies such as Canadian Lutheran World Relief,
Lutheran Council in Canada, associations such as Lu-
theran Welfare, Lutheran Association for Missionaries and
Pilots, our various chaplaincies, and the ministries of
youth and church colleges. And I want to say as president

how pleased I am with the cordial relationships which we
have with your church leaders in Canada.

In my new office I am growing in my awareness and
appreciation of the wider Lutheran family. That occurred
to me again a week ago as I attended the 100th anniversary
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea.
Each Lutheran Church family member has its own history
and its own genius for mission. It is important in our grow-
ing understanding of one another that we as family mem-
bers affirm, support and challenge one another in order
that we might proclaim the Gospel and serve our Lord
Jesus Christ in the world today. I want to express very
clearly, on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Canada, our commitment to seeking clear and honest com-
munications with one another, and our commitment to be
charitable and to seek this communication with good will.
May I say that so you might know of our commitment to
love and understanding as a sister church and that our
prayers attend you. Grace be with all of you who are alive
in Christ. Thank you.

Rev. Donald Sjoberg

8. Greetings from the Lutheran Council in Canada

President Bohlmann, honored guests, convention dele-
gates, friends:

You have already heard a little bit about what has hap-
pened as far as the Lutheran Churches in Canada are
concerned. The face of Canadian Lutheranism is changing
with the advent of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Canada on January 1 of this year. At this convention a
resolution will be considered to give the three districts of
Lutheran Church—Canada autonomous partner-church
status with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. And,
although the face of the Canadian church is in the process
of change, the commitment of the two major Lutheran
Church bodies in Canada is still the same to the Word of
God, to the Confessions of the Lutheran Church, to the
proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord.

In the process of these changes the Lutheran Council
in Canada, which has served the Lutheran Churches in
Canada for 20 years as has Lutheran Council USA, is also
experiencing change. We did not go out of business. It is
still the will of the two churches that the council continue,
but with a more limited mandate. The council will serve
the churches in external matters only, representing the
churches in areas such as the Canadian Military Chap-
laincy, Scouting, National Correctional Institutional
Chaplaincy, Interchurch Communications, the Canadian
Broadcasting Cooperation Religious Advisory Council, and
the Church Council on Justice and Corrections. These are
some of the primary areas of responsibilities that now come
under the Lutheran Council in Canada. And the council
office will also serve as the place of contact for those wish-
ing to make contact with the Lutheran Church in Canada.
Any matters which relate to the church bodies themselves,