LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 96

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96 RESOLUTIONS

To Encourage Discussions with Other
Christian Groups

RESOLUTION 3-12
Report 2-01, II, C (CW, pp. 62—63)

Wuereas, The Mission Affirmations of the Detroit
convention state that the Lutheran Church is a confes-
sional movement within Christendom and indicate the
responsibilities of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod as a part of that movement; therefore be it

- Resolved, That the members of the Synod on every
level be encouraged to continue their interest and par-
ticipation in all interchurch dialog that permits a clear
witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth in
Holy Scripture and explicated by the Lutheran Confes-
sions; and be it also

Resolved, That the Synod encourage both pastoral
conferences and lay study groups to study and discuss
the materials already published as well as any that may
be produced in the process of further interchurch con-
versations in which we are participants.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Continue Discussions with Lutheran
Church in America

RESOLUTION 3-13

Report 2-01, I, B (CW, pp. 60—61); Overture 3-249,
(CW, pp. 191—192)

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
resolved in its 1967 convention (Resolution 3-02, 1967
Proceedings) that “its President and the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations earnestly invite
Lutheran churches in America with whom we are not
in fellowship to join in mutual love and confidence with
our church in consultation with a view to removing the
causes of misunderstanding and separation”; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod endorse the efforts of
President Harms in seeking consultation with the Lu-
theran Church in America and gratefully recognize that
two meetings have been held; and be it also

Resolved, That the President of the Synod and the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations be en-
couraged to continue discussions with the Lutheran
Church in America for the purpose of seeking a God-
pleasing fellowship.

Action: Adopted (15).

(Res.3-05 had been referred back to the committee in Ses-
sion 2. The committee resubmitted it with a change in the
final words, which had read originally: “. . . with a view
toward finding the consensus necessary for the establish-
ment of altar and pulpit fellowship.”)

To Apply for Membership in Lutheran
World Federation

RESOLUTION 3-14

Report 2-01, I, B; Apps. D and E; Overtures 3-250 to
3-261, 3-279 (CW, pp. 60, 66—69, 192—195, 200); 3-299U,
3-300U, 3-317U, 3-335U, 3-336U, 3-356U, 3-357U (URO,
pp. 18, 22, 30, 39—40)

Wuereas, The nature, function, and scope of the
Lutheran World Federation according to its revised
constitution of 1963 afford The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod an opportunity to add its voice to the wit-
ness of confessional Lutheranism to the Christian com-
munity and to the world as an implementation of the
Mission Affirmations adopted by the Synod in 1965; and

Wuereas, The thorough study of the doctrinal basis
of the Lutheran World Federation by the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations revealed no Biblical
or confessional obstacles to membership; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention instruct the Synod’s
President to make application for membership in the
Lutheran World Federation; and be it further

Resolved, To ask the President to transmit to the
executive committee of the Lutheran World Federation
the CTCR’s report and summary statement to make
clear the Synod’s understanding of the nature of the
Lutheran World Federation and the significance of
membership in it; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod participate in the projects
and activities of the Lutheran World Federation as her
resources permit; and be it finally

Resolved, That in loving concern for all the sister
churches of the Synod the convention ask the President
to transmit to them the CTCR’s report and summary
statement as well as a copy of this convention resolu-
tion.

Action: Declined (15).

(A motion in Session 15 to vote on this resolution by ballot
carried by a standing vote of 394 to 338. Since the order of
the day called for the continuation of the report of Committee
3, a motion to postpone action on this resolution was ruled
out of order. No challenge to the ruling was offered. In the
balloting Res. 3-14 was defeated: 272 for, 620 against.)

To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church
RESOLUTION 3-15
Reports 2-01, II, B; 3-01; Overtures 3-18 to 3-39, 3-84 to
3-243, 3-277, 3-278 (CW, pp. 61, 94-—95, 99—107, 125—1839,
199); 3-285U to 3-298U, 3-302U, 3-303U, 3-305U to 3-316U,
3-319U to 3-323U, 3-326U to 3-334U, 3-340U, 3-346U to
3-355U, 3-358U, 3-362U, 3-363U, 3-366U to 3-379U, 3-382U,
3-386U, 3-387U (URO, pp. 14—29, 32, 34—44, 46—47)

Preamble

As we consider altar and pulpit fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church, we do well to state clearly