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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 117

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

CHURCH RELATIONS 117

ship with The ALC until various doctrinal issues are
resolved (the last 11 Whereases have been adequately
and extensively documented by others who have sent
in this memorial): and

Wuereas, Each congregation within the LCMS
should have an opportunity to vote on whether or not
the LCMS should declare fellowship with the ALC:

1. Such a congregational referendum could be ex-
tremely healthy for the LCMS if it would lead thou-
sands of congregations and pastors into a serious study
of the great theological issues that today are confront-
ing all of Christendom. LCMS congregations should
study some of the ALC literature we have cited in this
resolution,

2. The 10 LCMS professors who signed the open
letter to Dr. Harms, cited above, wrote to the LCMS
President:

Your concern of what effect a badly split vote in a synod-
wide referendum would do to the synod can be under-
stood, But do you really have a choice, if the impression
of executive action is to be avoided? The confusing New
York convention resolution No. 3-23 ought not take on
the appearance of a sledge on this matter. More and more
the conviction grows, and the Wednesday meeting did not
dispel it, that the fellowship which is to be brought about
is going to be “an act of church politics,” as Dr. Sasse has
warningly called it, rather than a “theological and doc-
trinal decision.” This, if true, would be regrettable. We
all know from history the broken trail that theological
compromise has charted. The fellowship we seek comes
only with true unity of belief and teaching.

3. Rev. Armin U. Deye wrote:

In the Lutheran Church we are very conscious of our
dearly bought freedom. Whenever we notice any ten-
dency developing that might deprive us of this liberty
we are willing to challenge it.

The supremacy of the congregation and the authority
vested therein is a cherished concept of our church body.
No synodical pronouncement dare dictate to the congre-
gation or to her members. The principle of cooperation
is another matter that we shall not go into at this time.
No synodical official can legislate to the congregational
unit what she may or may not do. This, by and large,
has been respected from the founding of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod.

Applying this principle to the important matter of the
question of fellowship between the Missouri Synod and
The American Lutheran Church, we note that many re-
quests will be presented at the Denver convention for
a congregational referendum. This would give every con-
gregation in Synod the right to vote on this matter and
not leave it to the synodical convention for final dispo-
sition.

This, we believe, is necessary to preserve harmony and
unity in any church body. Let the congregation have the
final “say” (Lutheran Journal, Fall 1968);

therefore be it

Resolved, That we petition the 1969 Denver conven-
tion of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to sub-
mit the matter of altar and pulpit fellowship to a con-
gregational referendum.

SpeciaAL Note: We recognize that there are also the-
ological liberals within the LCMS. Some of us have
registered our protest to past conventions of the LCMS
about this matter. We also recognize that there are
loyal Lutherans within The ALC. It is our prayer that

all true Lutherans may one day be able to form an
orthodox Lutheran conference.

Zion Ev, LUTHERAN CHURCH
Farmersville, Il.
Pau, BrocKMEYEr, President
ME vin F. Rovey, Secretary
(3-54)
To Require 3 5 Favorable Vote
of All Congregations
for Any Further Action on Fellowship

WHEREAS, The question of altar and pulpit fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church has many and
far-reaching implications for the future of the Gospel of
Christ in our churches and schools, and especially for
the future impact of the Gospel upon the lost world; and

WHEREAS, It would seem good that all Christian in-
dividuals and congregations of our Synod should be
well informed and involved in the decision to be made
regarding this question, so that they may all have full
opportunity to let the Spirit of God speak to the whole
church through them; therefore be it

Resolved, That we request the Synod to submit the
question of altar and pulpit fellowship with The Ameri-
can Lutheran Church to a referendum of the congrega-
tions of the Synod, with the provision that a favorable
vote of three fifths (3°5) of all congregations of the
entire Synod be required before any further action
by a representative, official, or convention of Synod can
be taken on this question,

St. Paut’s LUTHERAN CHURCH
Bremen, Ind.
MARSHALL STINE, President
ELDON ROEDER, Secretary
(3-55)
To Submit Question of Fellowship
to Judgment of Congregations

WuHerEAS, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has been
blessed with unity of doctrine; and

Wuereas, This unity has resulted in a strengthened
witness to the truth of God’s Word; and

Whereas, The proposed declaration of altar and pul-
pit fellowship with The American Lutheran Church
might result in the destruction of the unity of our be-
loved Synod unless it is overwhelmingly approved by
our member churches; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod, meeting in Denver in the
year of our Lord 1969, submit the question of fellowship
to the judgment of our congregations for final resolu-
tion: and be it further

Resolved. That a two-thirds (23) majority of those
voting be necessary for adoption to insure the utmost
support for said resolution; and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, in con-
junction with the Presidents of the Synod’s Districts,