Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 151
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 151

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

CHURCH RELATIONS 151

fessional basis for altar and pulpit fellowship between
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and The
American Lutheran Church” may exist, complete doc-
trinal agreement does not exist; and be it further
Resolved, That therefore there be no establishment

of altar and pulpit fellowship between The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod and The American Lutheran
Church at this time.

St. JoHN’s LUTHERAN CONGREGATION

Racine, Wis.

JouHN H. BueEKE, Secretary

(3-160)

To Decline Fellowship Because of Divisive
Diversities

WuHerEAas, Our experiences and considerations of pul-
pit and altar fellowship have not reflected consensus
between the synods; and

Whereas, The disturbing diversities, especially in
regard to membership in unchristian or anti-Christian
organizations, still exist; and

Wuereas, The declaration of pulpit and altar fellow-
ship may prove to be divisive rather than constructive;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod devote more time to resolving differences be-
tween itself and The American Lutheran Church; and
be it further

Resolved, That while we regret the divisive nature
of the problems, we nevertheless must decline pulpit
and altar fellowship with The American Lutheran

Church. St. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH

St. Joseph, Mo.

JoHN F, Lau, President

ROLAND SCHOCKWEILER, Secretary
RaLpH MUELLER, Pastor

(3-161)

Not to Declare Fellowship Until All
Heterodoxy Is Rejected

Whereas, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, desires
that there be unity between all Christians (John 17:21)
and that this unity be established on the basis of His
holy Word (John 8:31); and

Wuereas, Christ expressly and definitely impresses
upon us that such unity must be existent both in the
teaching of His Word and in the consistent practice
of it; and

Whereas, Such consistency in the teaching and the
practicing of His holy Word does not exist between our
Synod and the synods of The American Lutheran
Church and/or the Lutheran Church in America; no,
not even among themselves; and

Wuereas, There exists much doubt, apprehension,
discrepancy, and resultant confusion even among the
clergy of the aforementioned Lutheran bodies concern-

ing the inerrancy and the infallibility of the inspired
Word of God (viz., the account of Creation, the divine
authorship of the five books of Moses, the divine au-
thorship of the Book of Isaiah, the physical resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the virgin
birth, the reception into membership of those who be-
long to anti-Christian and anti-Scriptural lodges); and

Wuereas, Church fellowship must be based and es-
tablished on the basis of doctrinal agreement (1 Tim.
1:3: John 8:31; Deut. 12:32) and of consistent practice
in keeping with the Holy Scriptures (Matt. 7:21; Luke
6:46); and

Wuereas, The necessary groundwork has not been
laid by the responsible members of our beloved Synod
together with those responsible for such groundwork in
the aforementioned Lutheran bodies; therefore be it

Resolved, That we. the members of St. Paul’s Lu-
theran Church, Serbin, Tex., prayerfully and earnestly
look forward to the great day when such fellowship can
be established in a manner pleasing to our God and in
keeping with His inspired Word: and be it further

Resolved, That we plead with the membership of our
beloved Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to con-
tinue its Scriptural policy of not establishing church
fellowship, i.e., altar and pulpit fellowship, with The
American Lutheran Church and/or the Lutheran
Church in America until such time as these synods re-
ject all heterodox teachings which are in opposition to
the pure Word of God, and thus conform to the doc-
trines of that Word both in subscription and in practice.

St. PAuu's LUTHERAN CHURCH
Serbin, Tex.

Mitton Kaspar, Chairman
Ewa_p Recks, Pastor

(3-162)

To Refuse Fellowship on Basis of Certain
Scripture Passages

Wuereas, The leaders of the Missouri Synod say
there is consensus between The ALC and the Missouri
Synod in the preaching of the Gospel “in conformity
with the pure understanding of it” and in the adminis-
tration of the sacraments; and

Wuereas, It has been shown again and again that
there is no consensus regarding the inerrancy of Scrip-
ture, the doctrine of conversion, the ecumenical move-
ment, the Christless lodge, Creation, the authorship of
many Biblical books, etc.; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod refuse to go into fellowship
with The American Lutheran Church at this time; and
be it further

Resolved, That this action be taken on the basis of
Rom. 16:17-18; 2 John 9:11: and Titus 3:10-11.
FaitH LUTHERAN CHURCH

Anderson, Calif.
WILLIAM WorTHE, Secretary