Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 138
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 138

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

138 CHURCH RELATIONS

Pico Rivera, Calif., is firmly convinced that the time for
fellowship with The ALC should be deferred until such
time as the bodies are in agreement doctrinally.

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Pico Rivera, Calif.

James E. Wricut, President
CHARLES R. BirnEr, Pastor

(3-118)

To Defer Fellowship Until Issue
of Lodge Membership Is Settled

Wuereas, Holy Scripture speaks clearly against the
errors of deism (John 17:3; Deut. 4:35; Is. 44:6: Matt.
4:10), work righteousness (Acts 16:31: John 14:6: Rom.
3:28: Eph. 2:8-9), and sinful oaths (Matt. 5: 33-37; Lev.
19:12); and

Wuereas, The bylaws of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod state clearly the Biblical position con-
cerning membership in lodges which are unchristian
or anti-Christian in character (Bylaws XIV, “Fraternal
Organizations”); and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
resolved in 1967: “That the Synod urge all its represen-
tatives and officials to work earnestly and sincerely
toward a unified evangelical position and practice in
areas of church life where disturbing diversities still
exist, particularly in reference to unchristian and anti-
Christian societies, through continued mutual study
with the officials and representatives of The American
Lutheran Church on the basis of the Word of God”
(Resolution 3-23); and

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church in its
practice within congregations permits lay membership
in unchristian and anti-Christian lodges: and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
resolved in 1967 to “recognize that the Scriptural and
confessional basis for altar and pulpit fellowship be-
tween The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and The
American Lutheran Church exists” and further resolved
that “the President of the Synod in conjunction with
the Council of Presidents make the appropriate recom-
mendations to the 1969 convention” (Resolution 3-23):
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod affirm that membership in unchristian and anti-
Christian lodges is contrary to the Scriptures, that
membership in such organizations violates and weakens
the teachings of the Gospel, and that such current prac-
tice within The American Lutheran Church of permit-
ting membership in unchristian and anti-Christian
organizations prevents a God-pleasing declaration of
pulpit and altar fellowship at this time: and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod defer establishment of pulpit and altar fellow-

ship with The American Lutheran Church until the
issue of membership in unchristian and anti-Christian
lodges is settled Scripturally between us.
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Port Orchard, Wash.
Joun F. Breck, President
(3-119)
To Table Fellowship Question
in View of Talks with LCA

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church has de-
clared altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran
Church in America; and

WuerEAS, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
is having “unofficial” talks with the Lutheran Church
in America: therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod table the question of fellowship with the Ameri-
can Lutheran Church until such time as The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod has “official” talks with the
Lutheran Church in America.
Mount CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
New Orleans, La.
Emie C. Frisarp Jr., President
Luioyp J. Marre, Secretary

(3-120)

To Table Fellowship Matter in Order
to Comply with Michigan District Resolution

Wuereas, The 83d convention of the Michigan Dis-
trict of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at Con-
cordia College. Ann Arbor, Mich.. adopted on Aug. 1,
1968, the following resolution:

Wuereas, We are deeply grateful to our forefathers for
the heroic efforts they have put forth to bring about unity
in the church and we look upon the New York conven-
tion as a part of this great movement, thanking also our
God for His continued blessings upon it; and

WHEREAS, We recognize that our Lutheran Christians
sincerely desire fellowship, yet are fearful of “fellowship
at any cost,” which could deteriorate the church instead
of strengthening it; and

WHEREAS. Our efforts to carry out the Resolution 3-23
by meetings of peer groups within the two bodies, and
studies of the doctrines and practices of both, indicate that
there are difficulties involving the inspiration, authority,
and integrity of Scripture. the authorship of various Bib-
lical books, unionism, and lodgery: and

Wuereas, We are convinced that our Lord would have
us deal with these in a God-pleasing manner (regardless
of which synod is involved); and

Wurreas, It becomes apparent that not all members of
the Synod have carried out the assignment at all levels as
Resolution 3-23 requires (New York convention) ; there-
fore be it

Resolved. That the Michigan District express thanks-
giving to God for the unity that has been recognized and
that we commend the President of our Synod for his
effort in carrying out the responsibility laid upon his
office by Resolution 3-23: and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical President be requested
to establish a special commission (in conjunction with
representatives of The American Lutheran Church) whose
responsibility it shall be to address itself to the afore-
mentioned doctrinal and practical difficulties employing
the Word and thus the power of the Spirit to this end
that both bodies be strengthened; and be it further