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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 106

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

106 CHURCH RELATIONS

ship and study of the Sacred Scriptures, thereby deep-
ening the unity that exists, and in working and planning
together, seeking every possible avenue to strengthen
the church and to give practical expression to the unity
that our Lord has given us.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
Charlotte, N.C.
D. A. WarRNICKE, Secretary

(3-39)

To Declare Fellowship
and to Continue Study

Wuereas, The 1967 synodical convention adopted
Resolution 3-23 by overwhelming vote (704—48), pro-
viding among other things that the Synod recognize that
the Scriptural and confessional basis for altar and pul-
pit fellowship between The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod and The American Lutheran Church exists
and that the constituency of church groups intending to
share altar and pulpit fellowship should be well in-
formed in regard to the principles and implications
involved, it was therefore resolved that the Synod direct
its officials to make arrangements for promoting the
widest possible mutual recognition of the doctrinal
consensus and its implications for church fellowship
among the entire membership of Synod and then the
President of the Synod in conjunction with the Council
of Presidents make the appropriate recommendations to
the 1969 convention; and

Wuereas, Action has been taken by officials of the
Synod to promote the widest possible mutual recognition
of the doctrinal consensus and its implications for
church fellowship: however, regrettably in many in-
stances the forums were used to attack the doctrinal
consensus — instead of promoting the widest possible
mutual recognition of that doctrinal consensus — with-
out the thorough study behind and placed into the
“Joint Statement and Declaration” of the official rep-
resentatives of The American Lutheran Church, The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, and the Synod of
Evangelical Lutheran Churches (1967 Convention
Workbook, pp. 421—22); and

Wuereas, Much concern has been expressed con-
cerning treatment of lodge membership by congrega-
tions of The American Lutheran Church: however, each
congregation of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
is an independent entity governed by a constitution and,
where incorporated, by bylaws— which are first ap-
proved by the Districts and the Synod and which pro-
vide restriction upon acceptance of membership and
discipline of its members, excluding lodge members and
restricting the sacrament to them — which provisions
cannot be altered by a declaration of altar and pulpit
fellowship with any other church body; and

Whereas, Failure of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod to declare altar and pulpit fellowship would
result in predominance of liberal influence upon The
American Lutheran Church, inasmuch as it has declared

altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church
in America, influencing American and world Lutheran-
ism, while our Synod, if entering into altar and pulpit
fellowship, could furnish the protective supplement of
conservative Christian doctrine, in accordance with
the Lutheran Confessions, in America as well as
throughout the world; and

Wuereas, Article VII of the Unaltered Augsburg
Confession provides: “And to the true unity of the
Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine
of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.
Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites
or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere
alike.” Synod’s experts have found that our Synod and
The American Lutheran Church agree concerning the
doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the
sacraments; and

Whereas, Paul says in Eph. 4:2-7, 14-16:

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, for-
bearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one
body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God
and Father of all, who is above all and through all and
in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace ac-
cording to the measure of the gift of Christ... . That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight
of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait
to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ;
from whom the whole body fitly joined together and com-
pacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to
the effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself
in love.

and

Whereas, Altar and pulpit fellowship does not con-
stitute merger; however, altar and pulpit fellowship of
The American Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, and the Synod of Evangelical Lu-
theran Churches would join together nearly six million
Lutherans in America who could witness with a united
front; and

Whereas, Prejudice growing out of misunderstanding
has existed between various Lutheran bodies in America
—division having grown out of language and issues
such as usury, insurance, election, predestination, etc.,
that have not troubled the Lutheran churches for a
number of decades — and variances in rites and cere-
monies creating prejudice should have no part in the
issue of altar and pulpit fellowship. We were all bap-
tized and confirmed into either the Evangelical Lutheran
Church or the Christian church and not The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod; and

WuereEas, We cannot challenge the Lutheran Con-
fessions and remain Lutherans; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention follow the directives
of Resolution 3-23 (Proceedings, 1967) and upon recom-
mendation of the President and Council of Presidents
declare altar and pulpit fellowship with The American
Lutheran Church and continue study with the Lutheran