LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 51

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT 51

office has also been involved in other areas of church
relations. With regret I must announce that both the
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Synod have declined the invitations
you wanted me to extend, as the resolution itself says,
“with a view to removing the causes of misunderstand-
ing and separation.” Both synods, however, have ac-
cepted invitations to attend this convention as observers.

All of us are grateful that Dr. Franklin Clark Fry,
president of the Lutheran Church in America, prior to
his death agreed to participate in informal discussions
in which our two church bodies might explain their
respective approaches to the quest for Lutheran unity
and also explain the rationale for such positions. By
convention action, the Lutheran Church in America
approved his decision. Dr. Robert J. Marshall, the cur-
rent president of the Lutheran Church in America, has
graciously agreed to continue our discussions, and they
have continued to be fruitful.

It was my privilege to pursue a strong mutual de-
sire to explore the possibility of fellowship relations
with the Lutheran Church of Australia. As you recall,
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod formerly had
such relations with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Australia, one of two synods which formed the pres-
ent Lutheran Church of Australia by merger in 1966.
We are honored that Dr. Max Lohe has come at our
invitation to extend greetings to our Synod later during
this convention.

As a result, in part at least, of activity by the Presi-
dent’s office, recommendations are being channeled to
this convention by way of the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations for pursuing Lutheran unity in
Canada. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
is represented at this convention by Dr. Karl Hofeld,
and the Lutheran Council in Canada is being repre-
sented by Dr. Elmer Truesch.

As in the past, the President’s office has maintained
contact with Lutheran and non-Lutheran churches and
church associations, both here and abroad. Considerable
effort has been extended on behalf of the Synod as a
participating body in the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A. The Synod’s Handbook asks that our repre-
sentatives to the Council report to the Synod. Since
Dr. C. Thomas Spitz will present a report orally and
in writing and since items that call for your attention
are being presented through other channels, it should
not be necessary for me to repeat this information to
you here. You should know, however, that the presi-
dents of the participating bodies in the Council have
already acted to initiate a careful assessment and to

prepare appropriate recommendations concerning the’

present state and future possibilities of cooperative ef-
forts among Lutherans in this country.

While there are no specific instructions to the Presi-
dent’s office to represent the church to the public,
some contacts have been maintained, especially with
branches of government. The prudent management of
the church’s business in the best interest of the church
and those whom we are called to serve requires con-

tacts with a growing number and variety of institutions
and interests. Without such contacts it is not possible
to know or to understand fully the nature of the chang-
ing world in which we are at work. Without such
contacts we cannot make our church and her mission
known and understood. In fact, such contacts have
become increasingly helpful in doing our job better.

There is no justification for making this report ex-
cessively long or detailed. I have extended my remarks
on certain points only because I have sensed consider-
able misinformation and misinterpretation to be prev-
alent. What I have said in this report is not designed
to be a vindication of my conduct or even a justification
for it. You have come here to hear. My report, like
my administration and like the chairing of this con-
vention, will seek to make it possible for you to hear
and to judge calmly and responsibly. Let me assure
you that it will not be necessary for coaching sessions,
telephone networks, and private arrangements to make
this convention function properly. We trust God still
has an abiding interest in our church. We need never
fear the outcome when we have rejected all else to
contend for the Gospel with nothing but grace on our
lips and in our hearts. God has a great cause, and He
has shaped us into a great church body to help achieve
that cause. We shall assure its greatness by making
ourselves servants to His Gospel, both His greatest
glory and our greatest glory.

APPENDIX A

1967 Convention Resolutions Assigned to
and Carried Out by President’s Office

1-03 Uniform methods of membership transfer

1-19 Relationship of Commission on Mission and
Ministry

2-24 Doctrinal Review

2-26 Christian discipline in the Synod

2-28 Initiate studies on abortion, sterilization

3-02 Invite Lutheran bodies in America to discussions

3-03 Send observers to meetings of churches and
church associations

3-05 Agree to fixed Easter date

3-23 Altar and pulpit fellowship with The American
Lutheran Church

3-24 Invitation to Lutheran Church of Australia

4-37 Announce vote of confidence in Board of Di-
rectors and fiscal officers

5-17 Implement Handbook change 1.24

5-29 Alter restrictive membership clauses in congre-
gational constitutions

8-01 Set aside May 26, 1968, for observances of Wal-
ther League’s 75th anniversary

9-14 Communicate convention statement on war and
peace to congregations

14-01 Proclaim third Sunday in October annually as
Layman’s Sunday