LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 109

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Introduction

We are thankful to God that the congregations, laity,
and professional church workers of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod desire so fervently to maintain
solid scriptural theology and God-pleasing church rela-
tionships. This is evidenced by the great number of over-
tures that have been assigned to Floor Committee 3. Each
memorial has been closely studied, researched, and coun-
sel sought and received in order that the LCMS might
retain its solid scriptural and confessional standard, and
that an evangelical witness might be given in all church
relationships. As the resolutions from Floor Committee 3
are offered to the convention, we ask God to guide and
bless all deliberations in order that His church might re-
main strong in doctrine and practice.

We express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Samuel H.
Nafzger, executive director of the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations, Rev. Jerald C. Joersz, assistant di-
rector of the Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions, Dr. Philip Lochhaas, executive director of the
Commission on Organizations, and Rev. John E. Meyer,
Department of Stewardship. Our appreciation also in-
cludes members of the CTCR, namely, Dr. George Bor-
nemann, Dr. Horace Hummel, Dr. Albert M. Marcis, Mr.
Daniel A. Utter, and Vice-President Dr. August T.
Mennicke.

John Heins, Chairman

To Urge Participation in Mission Study
RESOLUTION 3-01
Report R3-05 (CW, p. 57)

Wuereas, The risen and ascended Lord has entrusted
to His church His glorious Gospel with the command that
it be proclaimed to all people everywhere; and

Wuereas, This mission of our blessed God remains for
Christians of every age a task of great urgency, to be car-
ried out with confidence and joy; and

Wuereas, The church must continually seek to for-
mulate this task in ways that are not only faithful to scrip-
tural and confessional doctrine but also sensitive to the
complex and rapidly changing world in which people live
today; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) at its 1986 convention requested the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to “initiate, fa-
cilitate, and develop a theological Statement of Mission”
which will “reflect the urgency, vitality, and joy of our his-
toric confession of Christ’s forgiveness by grace alone
through faith alone as taught in Scripture alone”; and
Wuereas, The Synod has requested that this study be
conducted in consultation with all the various boards,
councils, and commissions of the Synod and that it involve
pastors, teachers, and laity on the congregational level,
and

Wuereas, The CTCR has developed a detailed plan

109

3. Theology and Church Relations

Committee 3 Chairman John Heins

which calls for such widespread involvement as it prepares
a Statement of Mission to be presented to the 1992 con-
vention of the Synod (see CW, p. 57); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod strongly urge all of its mem-
bers, at every level, to commit themselves to a deeper and
more comprehensive understanding of the mission which
God has entrusted to His church; and be it further

Resolved, That all the members of the Synod be en-
couraged to participate in the Bible study on St. Paul’s
letter to the Romans being developed by the CTCR as a
way of participating and contributing to the completion of
the assignment to prepare a Mission Statement; and be it
further

Resolved, That the CTCR be asked to present the as-
signed theological Statement of Mission to the 1992 con-
vention of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod ask our gracious Lord’s guid-
ance and blessing upon all its congregations, pastors,
teachers, and leaders as they devote themselves to His
mission.

Action: Adopted (4).

To Formalize Altar and Pulpit
Fellowship with Lutheran Church
in Southern Africa
RESOLUTION 3-02A

Report R3-01, II, A (CW, pp. 60-61); Overtures 3-48-
49 (CW, p. 182)

Wuereas, The members of the Lutheran Church in
Southern Africa (LCSA) and The Lutheran Church—Mis-