LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 130

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130 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That representatives of the Synod whose
names are identified with joint ecumenical statements
continue to report to the Synod through the Commis-
sion on Theology and Church Relations the nature of
their involvement when such statements are issued
publicly to the church.

Action: Adopted (17).

3. CHURCH RELATIONS

To Express Gratitude for the Merger
of SELC with the LCMS
RESOLUTION 3-01
Report 2-01, II, A, 5 (CW, pp. 32—33)

Wuereas, The merger of the Synod of Evangelical
Lutheran Churches with The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod took place officially on January 1, 1971;
therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention praise God for this
blessed merger and recognize this significant and joy-
ous event in the life of these two church bodies in con-
nection with its 1971 synodical convention.

Action: Adopted (4).
(With a rising vote and the singing of a doxology.)

To Allow Members of the SELC District
to Affiliate with the English District
RESOLUTION 3-02

Overture 3-288 (CW, p. 191)

Wuereas, “An Agreement” (1969 Proceedings, pp.
167—169) for merger with the Synod of Evangelical
Lutheran Churches does not prevent a member congre-
gation, pastor, or teacher from joining the English Dis-
trict; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention declare that it is not
the intent of “An Agreement” to prevent congregations,
pastors, or teachers of the SELC District from affiliating
with the English District.

Action: Adopted (4).

To Recognize Sister Church Status
RESOLUTION 3-03

Report 2-01, Il, A, 8; Overture 3-297
(CW, pp. 33, 194)

Wuereas, God has blessed the witness and service
of many Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod overseas
mission efforts and brought churches into being as
a fruit of the preaching of His Word; and

Wuerzas, A common confessional position and a
common commitment to God’s mission constitute a pre-
cious bond between the LCMS and these churches; and

Wuereas, Sister-church relationship was formally

established with the India Evangelical Lutheran Church
in 1959; and

Wuereas, Four overseas churches — the Lutheran
Church in the Philippines, the Japan Lutheran Church,
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, and the
Korean Lutheran Church — have in the past biennium
requested sister-church relationship with the LCMS
and have submitted their constitutions for review by
the Board for Missions and the CTCR (Handbook, 1969,
XVI, B, 16.03); and

Wuereas, The Board for Missions and the CTCR
have recommended sister-church status for these
churches as required by the synodical Handbook (XVI,
B, 16.03) ; and

Wuereas, It would be quite proper for the LCMS to
initiate procedures toward sister-church relationship
as well as to respond to requests coming from the for-
mer missions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS affirm its continuing fel-
lowship with all overseas churches that develop as a re-
sult of the LCMS mission activity and that desire to
maintain a relationship with us in harmony with the
Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and in
a mutual commitment to and involvement in the Lord’s
world mission; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention assembled
respond favorably to the requests from the Lutheran
Church in the Philippines, the Japan Lutheran Church,
and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana; and
be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention assembled
respond favorably also to the request of the Korean
Lutheran Church with the provision that the constitu
tion of the Korean Lutheran Church be revised as re-
quested by the CTCR; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention assembled
initiate action establishing sister-church relationship
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nigeria, the
Wabag Lutheran Church, and the China Evangelical
Lutheran Church (Taiwan), each of which has also
submitted its respective constitution, which has been
reviewed by the board and the CTCR; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention assembled
also initiate action establishing sister-church relation-
ship with the Lutheran Synod of Mexico with the pro-
vision that the LCMS, through its appropriate agencies,
work with the Lutheran Synod of Mexico for the inclu-
sion of a constitutional paragraph more specifically list-
ing the creeds to which the synod subscribes; and be
it further

Resolved, That the LCMS express its partnership in
mission with these churches by assuring them of con-
tinued support and assistance as agreed upon annually;
and be it further

Resolved, That these churches be invited to affirm
by formal action of their conventions the existence of
fellowship between us; and be it further

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