LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 116

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138 RESOLUTIONS

3. to help'the individual recognize that God can rescue
individuals from homosexual orientation and practice;

4. to assure him/her of forgiveness in Christ, contingent
upon sincere repentance and faith in Christ, and to assure
himvher of the love and acceptance of the church;

5. to assist the individual: to rely on Christ’s love and
strength to abstain from homophile behavior;

6. to help the individual to bear his/her burden without

fear of recrimination and rejection by his/her sisters and

- brothers in Christ;
7. to find ways of ministering to families which include
persons of homophile orientation; ;
8. to do all this patiently, persistently, and compas-
sionately in the love and Spirit of Christ, who says, “Nei-
ther do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Action: Adopted as amended twice (13).

(The resolution was amended by the addition of the seventh
whereas and point 1 of the last resolve and was later amended
by the addition of point 3 of the same resolve.)

To Respond to Concerns re Valparaiso
; University

RESOLUTION 3-13A
Overture 3-87-88C, 3-90, 3-82 (CW, pp. 207-08)

Wuereas, Many questions have been raised and much
concern expressed in the Synod regarding action taken by
Valparaiso University to recognize the presence on campus
of an organization called Gay and Lesbian Association; and

Wuereas, This organization has recently changed its
name to Gay and Lesbian Awareness in order to set itself
apart from any perceived ties to Gay and Lesbian Asso-
ciation; and .

Wuereas, Valparaiso University, while not a synodical
institution, has nevertheless historically enjoyed a cordial
and mutually supportive relationship with The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, The president of Valparaiso University, Dr.
Alan Harre, has expressed in writing his “unqualified sup-
port for LCMS teaching and practice regarding homosex-
uality,” i.e., “that the Synod recognizes that homophile
behavior is intrinsically sinful” (1973 Res. 2-04); therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod express appreciation for Dr.
Harre’s unqualified expression of support for the doctrinal
position of the LCMS regarding homosexuality; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod again express the necessity
of proclaiming pastorally the Law and Gospel to homosex-
ual persons on university campuses and elsewhere; and be
it finally

Resolved, That President Harre and his administration
be encouraged to continue to give serious consideration to
the concerns that are being expressed by congregations
and Districts of the LCMS. :

Action: Adopted (13).

(A motion was made to change the final resolve to state, Re-
solved, That the Synod in convention strongly encourage Presi-

dent Harre and his administration to cease recognition of the
GALA group on campus because of the serious concerns that are
being expressed by congregations and Districts of the LCMS.” This
was ruled a substitute motion which the convention agreed to
consider but then declined after also declining to table the sub-
stitute motion and the main motion.)

To Complete Work on Inter-Christian
Guidelines

RESOLUTION 3-14
Overtures 3-10-17 (CW, pp. 183-85)

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations received a mandate from the Synod (Res. 3-03,
1981 Proceedings) to prepare practical guidelines “to assist
the officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individ-
uals in the Synod in determining which practices and ac-
tivities are appropriate to the various levels of inter-
Lutheran and inter-Christian relationships in which the
Synod is involved”; and

Wuenreas, The CTCR has shared with pastors and con-
gregations of the Synod a preliminary draft of its State-
ment on Inter-Christian Relationships which is to be used
as an instrument of study and a tool to involve the entire
church body in a participatory process; and

Wuereas, Both support for and opposition to this in-
strument of study have been expressed throughout our
church body; and .

Wuereas, It is to be recognized that the CTCR is only
partially done with its 1981 convention mandate; therefore
be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Miasouri Synod
in convention thank the CTCR for its hard work on the
project to this date; and be it further .

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention commend those
who have already responded to the CTCR’s study instru-
ment; and be it further , ane wa

Resolved, That the members of the Synod be encouraged
to study the document with care and submit their com-
ments and recommendations as soon as possible to the

- CTCR; and be it finally

Resolved, That the CTCR be encouraged to move toward
the completion of practical guidelines on inter-Christian
relationships by July 1994.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Commend Study of Lutheran—Roman
Catholic Dialogue Statement
on Justification

RESOLUTION 3-15
Report R3-01, I, A, 4; App. I (CW, pp. 65, 313-16)

Wuereas, The Lutheran—Roman Catholic Dialogue in
the United States completed its seventh round of bilateral
dialogues by adopting a “Common Statement” on “Justi-
fication by Faith”; and

Wuereas, This doctrine is the “articulus stantis et cad-
entis ecclesiae” (the article upon which the church stands
or falls); and

Wuereas, The participants in this dialogue have joy-