Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 60
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 60

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

60 THEOLOGICAL MATTERS

European Conferences

The commission has continued its efforts to maintain
and strengthen the ties of fellowship between our Synod
and sister churches in Europe. During the summer of
1968 Dr. Carl Gaertner and Dr. Martin Franzmann
represented the Synod at the Second International Lu-
theran Theological Conference in Cambridge, England,
and at the Lutheran Free Conference in London. They
also attended a conference with officials of the Lutheran
Free Churches of Germany in Frankfurt. Such meet-
ings help keep us and our sister churches mindful of
each other’s needs.

The commission recommends:

8. a. That the Synod express its gratitude to God for
the blessings of fellowship and friendship enjoyed with
sister churches around the world.

b. That earnest efforts continue to be made to
strengthen our relationships with sister churches and
to develop more effective channels of communication
with all of them through a well-planned program of
contacts and conferences.

B. Other Lutheran Bodies

Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.

The commission sought to keep informed of the ac-
tivities of the Lutheran Council, particularly of its Di-
vision of Theological Studies, and thereby to avoid
needless duplication of effort. The commission found it
necessary to express its concern about the content and
manner of production of a study guide on Christology,
Who Can This Be? published under the auspices of the
Division of Theological Studies.? The commission has
been assured that its concerns are receiving proper
attention.

The commission has also asked the President of the
Synod to request the Council to initiate discussions on
the possibilities of a united Lutheran witness with re-
gard to membershp in anti-Christian organizations.

Lutheran World Federation

The Detroit convention (Resolution 3-14, 1965 Pro-
ceedings, p.111) and the New York convention (Reso-
lution 3-18, 1967 Proceedings, p.101) gave the com-
mission specific instructions with regard to studying
membership in the Lutheran World Federation. The
commission’s detailed report on this matter is given be-
low as Appendix D (a minority report and recommen-
dation of two commission members is appended as Ap-
pendix E). The following statements summarize the
findings of the commission in the light of its study and
discussions:

a. The LWF is constitutionally established as a free
association of autonomous Lutheran churches.

b. The doctrinal basis of the LWF sets forth the
proper and sufficient norms for its identity as an asso-
ciation of Lutheran churches.

3 The title page identifies this pamphlet as A guide to study
and discussion prepared by the Division of Theological Studies, Lu-
theran Council in the U.S.A." The pamphlet was prepared by ex-
ecutives of the division and was not submitted to the divisional
committee for approval prior to publication.

c. The LWF is designed to serve as the agent or
instrument of its member churches in such matters as
they assign to it.

d. Member churches are not required to support
particular projects or program activities from which
they may wish to abstain.

e. The LWF recognizes that membership in the Fed-
eration is not in itself tantamount to church fellowship.

f. The LWF regards the full fellowship of all Lu-
theran churches as a goal for which the churches should
earnestly strive.

g. The LWF aims to serve the churches in their
efforts toward the goal of church fellowship through
cultivation of unity of faith and witness.

h. The LWF provides a useful forum as well as re-
sources and stimulation for “the mutual conversation
and consolation of brethren” (Smalcald Articles, III,
iv) by way of common theological study, doctrinal dis-
cussion, admonition and encouragement under the
norms of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

i. The LWF offers opportunities and channels for
significant Christian service in the world which are not
otherwise available.

j. Acknowledged diversities in practice and disci-
pline among member churches of the LWF impose on
each church the responsibility both of honest self-
examination and appropriate correction and, as may be
necessary, of registering clearly and openly the position
it feels obliged to hold in the light of its confessional
commitment (status confessionis).

In view of its findings regarding the LWF and in
recognition of the divine constraint to turn every avail-
able appropriate facility to faithful use for the fulfill-
ment of Christ’s mission, the commission recommends:

9. a. That the LCMS declare its endorsement of the
basis and purposes of the LWF as these are set forth in
the present Constitution.

b. That the LCMS declare that it sees no Biblical or
confessional obstacle to holding membership in the
LWF.

c. That the LCMS consider making application for
membership in the LWF.

d. That, in the event that such application for mem-
bership is made, the President of the LCMS transmit
to the Executive Committee of the LWF the CTCR’s
summary statement of findings to make clear our Syn-
od’s understanding of the nature of the LWF and the
significance of membership in it.

e. That the President notify all sister churches of
the Synod’s action in this matter by sending them a copy
of the convention resolution together with a copy of
the commission’s report and its recommendations.

Lutheran Church in America
Acting on the directive of the New York convention
(Resolution 3-02, 1967 Proceedings, p.98), President
Harms in consultation with the commission invited the
president of the Lutheran Church in America to engage