LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 101

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RESOLUTIONS 101

Synod in Canada, has engaged in doctrinal discussions
with the Lutheran Church in America — Canada sec-
tion for the purpose of seeking and strengthening Lu-
theran unity and wishes to continue such discussions;
and

Wuereas, The Synod in 1965 (Resolution 3-04) au-
thorized its mission churches in other countries to ex-
plore and negotiate fellowship relations in their own
right but has made no similar provision for the Districts
located in Canada and South America; and

Wuereas, The Synod in 1965 (Resolution 4-28) rec-
ognized the need for granting increasing independence
to the Districts in Canada by sanctioning and granting
special status to them in Lutheran Church — Canada;
and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church in America — Can-
ada section has conveyed to Lutheran Church — Canada
its desire to pursue doctrinal discussions as a means to
furthering Lutheran unity in accordance with the re-
quirements of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations in its report to this convention (CW, pp. 62,
14a, 14b) has recommended the action proposed below;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod authorize and encourage
Lutheran Church — Canada through its committee on
relations with other churches and in consultation with
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to
pursue the quest for Lutheran unity with the Lutheran
Church in America— Canada section on the basis of
Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and
be it also

Resolved, That any requests for official synodical
action which might result from these discussions be
conveyed to the Synod at the appropriate time and
according to appropriate synodical procedures.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Refrain from Selective Fellowship
RESOLUTION 3-18
Overtures 3-40 to 3-43 (CW, pp. 107—109)

Wuereas, The members of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod have voluntarily united in a fraternal
agreement to determine fellowship relations with other
church bodies or congregations, not individually but
through convention action (Handbook 1.21); and

Wuereas, The Synod has urged all its members to
refrain from exercising local congregational option in
regard to fellowship (cf. 1967 Convention Proceedings,
Resolution 2-18, p. 92); and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations is presently preparing a report of its study
of all aspects of interchurch relations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod urge all its members to
honor their fraternal agreement with all members of

the Synod by refraining from practicing altar and pul-

pit fellowship with congregations of church bodies with

whom the Synod has not yet declared fellowship.
Action: Adopted (15).

To Decline Overtures Calling
for Restructuring Lutheranism
RESOLUTION 3-19
Overtures 3-247, 3-248 (CW, pp. 190—191)
Wuereas, The organization of a Synod is a human
arrangement subject to legal contracts and controls; and
Whereas, A total restructuring of all Lutheran
church bodies would involve insurmountable difficul-
ties; therefore be it
Resolved, That Overtures 3-247 and 3-248 be de-
clined.
Action: Adopted (15).

To Seek Reestablishment of Fraternal
Relations with Evangelical Lutheran Synod
and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

RESOLUTION 3-20
Overture 3-342U (URO, p. 33)

Wuereas, The Synod is committed to the conserva-
tion and promotion of the unity of the true faith (Eph.
4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism
and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17) (Constitution, Article
III, 1); and

Whereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
through its President has continued to extend invita-
tions to the ELS and the WELS to have discussions
toward the reestablishment of fellowship; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the convention commend President
Harms for his continued concerns to this end; and be it
also

Resolved, That such efforts be continued.
Action: Adopted (16).

To Study Inter-Lutheran Relations
RESOLUTION 3-21
Overtures 3-244 to 3-246 (CW, pp. 189—190)

WuerEAS, These overtures raise issues that should
be studied more fully than is possible at this convention;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod request the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations to study these issues
in their historical and theological perspective and re-
port its findings with appropriate recommendations.

Action: Adopted (16).

(An amendment to call for a report in 1971 failed to
carry.)