Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 421
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 421

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

CHURCH LITERATURE AND PUBLICATIONS; PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 421

what the Magazin Fuer Ev.-Luth. Homiletik presented for
more than fifty years, what the Theological Quarterly and
the Theological Monthly have proclaimed since 1897, that
the new Concorpia THEOLOGICAL MonTHLy intends to be
identified with, to teach, and to proclaim as long as it
exists.
“An Introduction” in Vol. XXIII, No.5, December 1959,
of The Springfielder states:

To characterize this journal as a theological voice by no
means implies that the voice must be a monotone. While
the variety of contributors will always endeavor to speak
with one voice “the things which become sound doctrine,”
the accents will understandably vary; especially in those
areas where the Scriptures do not speak or where they
present difficulties, and in the realm of the adiaphora
which runs the gamut of everything from upholstered
pews to synodical policies. Here there are and must be
allowable differences of opinion. There must also be the
freedom to discuss these differences among brethren. An
author who is compelled to disguise or betray his true
convictions simply cannot write with that integrity de-
manded above all of a Christian scholar.

The committee also considered the significance of
the term “official” as this term might apply to the con-
tents of theological journals. Nowhere in synodical
literature did the committee find that the statements of
such journals are necessarily to be regarded as the
official position of the Synod. It is the considered opin-
ion of the committee that the contents of these journals
can be regarded as official only when they reprint reso-
lutions or documents adopted by the Synod in conven-
tion. Therefore theological journals are not per se the
“official” voice of the Synod.

The memorials, to which Resolution 12-09 was a re-
sponse, raised the question of joint editorship of the
Concordia Theological Monthly by the faculties of
Springfield and St. Louis. As a result of the discussion
with the editors of the Concordia Theological Monthly
and The Springfielder as well as the general manager
of Concordia Publishing House, the committee con-
cluded that the joint editorship of a single theological
journal by two or more faculties is not practicable.

On the basis of the above findings the committee
makes the following recommendations:

1. That the Synod recognize the importance, the
benefits, and therefore the need of having theological
journals;

2°. That the faculty of each theological seminary of
the Synod be authorized to edit and publish a theo-
logical journal,

3. That the doctrinal content of such journals remain
loyal to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Symbols,
with that diversity of expression which is both allowable
and desirable within these boundaries;

4. That the journals be edited with a view toward
serving the needs of the professional workers of the
church (pastors, missionaries, professors, and teachers),
specifically for the purpose of professional growth, edi-
fication, and equipment for ministry; and also that these
journals recognize their obligation to give a positive
Lutheran theological witness to theologians and pastors
outside our denomination: and finally,

5. That the content of these journals be regarded
as the official position of the Synod only when they
print what the Synod has adopted in convention.

Hersert BERNER, Chairman
GILBERT C. BECKER

CarL EBERAARD

Epcar M. KRENTZ

Ray F. Martens

(10-08)

To Amend Articles of Agreement
of Concordia Publishing House

Wuereas, Concordia Publishing House is a nonprofit
corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Missouri by virtue of a pro forma decree of
incorporation by the Circuit Court of the City of Saint
Louis, State of Missouri; and

Wuereas. Concordia Publishing House has property
in the State of California which it uses in its operation
of Family Films; and

Wuereas, The laws of California have been amended
to provide that in order for the property of a corporation
to be exempt from California property tax, even though
such corporation is a nonprofit corporation otherwise
exempt from federal and state income taxes, the articles
of agreement, articles of association, or articles of in-
corporation of such a corporation must specifically pro-
vide that in the event of a dissolution or winding up of
the corporation, the assets of the corporation will be dis-
tributed to a tax-exempt organization: and

Wuereas, It is implicit in the present provisions of
the Articles of Association of Concordia Publishing
House that in the event of such a dissolution or winding
up of the corporation, its assets would be turned over to
and become the property of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod, but no such provision is expressly set
forth therein; and

Wuereas, Certain other clarifying amendments to the
Articles of Agreement of Concordia Publishing House
are desirable and appropriate; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention of the Synod autho-
ize the appropriate officers and the directors of Con-
cordia Publishing House to take the necessary legal
steps under the laws of the State of Missouri to amend
the Articles of Association of Concordia Publishing
House in the following respects:

1. Amend Article III by deleting from the second
paragraph thereof the reference to the “Evangelical Lu-
theran Synod of Missoum. Ohio, and Other States” and
insert in lieu thereof: “The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod,” so that, as amended, the second paragraph
of said Article III shall read as follows:

The Directors shall hold their office for such time and in
such manner and under such terms and conditions as may
be set forth by The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.

2. Amend Article VI so that, as amended, said Article
VI shall read as follows:

This association may receive by gift, devise and bequest real