LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 99

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CELESTE EE AEE EN SETS 3

RESOLUTIONS 99

vention, pledging himself to use strenuous efforts to draw
all Lutherans together. The time had almost elapsed when
a motion for the previous question was carried. Ballots were
distributed. It was resolved that the counting of the ballots
be postponed until the convention would reconvene on the
following morning. Dr. Oliver Harms was given a standing
ovation for the way in which he had conducted the dis-
cussions, -

In Session 12 Chairman Arlen Bruns of the Committee on
Elections announced the following results: 961 ballots cast;
522 for; 438 against; 1 blank. The announcement of the
affirmative vote was greeted with applause, for which the
assembly stood. The chair declared the resolution adopted.
The assembly sang the first stanza of “Our God, Our Help
in Ages Past.”

Several speakers called for unity now that the issue had
been resolved. A delegate moved that the convention by a
standing vote assure the President-elect of unity of purpose
and intent. This was done. Dr. Preus responded from the
podium stating that the Synod had spoken, that he would
support and carry out its decision and set himself to the
task of healing. This was greeted with a standing ovation.

In response to a request from a layman for a congrega-
tional referendum, the chair stated that the vote on this
resolution was the legal expression of the Synod and that a
referendum would be pointless.)

RESOLUTION 3-154 (MINORITY REPORT)

The undersigned, a minority of Committee 3 —
Church Relations, not agreeing with the majority, de-
sire to express their views in this case:

Wuereas, We have been working and praying that
the Holy Spirit would direct The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod to a God-pleasing fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church; and

Wuereas, Extensive contacts and discussions have
shown a wide divergence between The American Lu-
theran Church constitutional statements and the teach-
ing and preaching practices in the areas of Scripture,
ecumenical principles, and lodgery; and

Wuereas, No official statement of agreement has
been published as a result of the joint meeting of the
theological faculties of The American Lutheran Church
and The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, We deplore the lack of basic theological
discussions toward Scriptural agreement between The
American. Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Church
in America which The American Lutheran Church
agreed was necessary in dealing with The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod (The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod recognized both proper principles and
improper involvements, in 1940, when it stated: “We
do not see how the Missouri Synod could enter into
church fellowship with The American Lutheran Church
if the latter establishes fellowship with a church body
which does not share our joint doctrinal basis” (Docu-
ments of Lutheran Unity in America, R. C. Wolf, Docu-
ment 164, p. 405); and

‘Wuereas, The Constitution of the Synod, Article VI,
point 2, and the Brief Statement of our Synod have
made it obligatory that there be full agreement in doc-
trine and practice before declaring pulpit fellowship;
and ,

Wuereas, Fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church would involve us with all the fellowship com-
mitments of The American Lutheran Church, such as

Lutheran World Federation, World Council of Churches,
and other associations, as well as fellowship with the
Lutheran Church in America; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank The American Lutheran
Church for their willingness to meet for doctrinal dis-
cussions; and that we indicate to The American Lu-
theran Church our sincere desire, fervent prayers, and
pledge our willingness to continued effort and work
toward a God-pleasing fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend our Synod’s officials,
conferences of pastors, and congregations for their in-
terest in and efforts toward implementation of Resolu-
tion 3-23 (New York) by joint discussions; and be it
further

Resolved, That our Synod encourage continuation
and extension of such discussions with The American
Lutheran Church at all levels; and be it finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, together
with the Council of Presidents, recommend to a future
convention a declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship
at a time when there is a greater unanimity of spirit
which would lead to appropriate action,

Oswa.po SCHUELER
James H. MAXwELu
H. W. BaxMann
Karu J. JAECH
Rosert M. Hess

RIcHARD HANNENBERG
O. E. Kroun
FREDERICK KEMPFERT
Harry L. Mumm
Geo, D, FROHNAPFEL
BERNARD F. FARMER

Action: None.

(See note following Res. 3-15.)

To Establish Fellowship with Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Canada

RESOLUTION 3-16

Report 2-01, II, B; Overtures 3-264 (CW, pp. 62, 196);
3-337U to 3-339U, 3-341U, 3-358U, 3-359U, 3-364U, 3-365U,
3-383U to 3-385U (URO, pp. 30—33, 40—42, 47)

Preamble

As we consider altar and pulpit fellowship with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, we do well
to state clearly what we mean when we use the term,
“fellowship,” particularly in the context of relationships
between church bodies. ,

We understand that fellowship between church bodies
is based on a common and mutual acceptance, under-
standing and practice of the Gospel and the sacraments,
understanding the term “Gospel” as it is used in the
Augsburg Confession, Article VII. [Augsburg Confession,
Article V, which speaks of the Gospel and sacraments as
instruments of the Holy Spirit for the creation of faith, is
helpful toward understanding the meaning of “Gospel” in
Augsburg Confession, Article VI.] Where such agree-
ment and understanding exist between church bodies,
they may and should establish altar and pulpit fellowship.

With the éstablishment of fellowship each ‘church body
retains its separate identity and organizational structure,
procedures, and policies. It is understood that the decla-
ration of fellowship will not infringe upon or interfere
with the rights of congregations and church bodies to de-
termine their exercise of pastoral care ‘and discipline.
However, also in this respect church bodies in fellowship