LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 132

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132 RESOLUTIONS

for Missions and the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations to study this matter together with
the Brazil and Argentine Districts with regard to their
becoming sister churches; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions and the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations report their
findings to the next convention.

Action: Adopted (9).

To Pursue Quest for Lutheran Unity
in Canada
RESOLUTION 3-09
Report 2-01, II B, 11; Overture 3-270 (CW, pp. 34, 187)

Wuergas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
in convention at Denver in 1969, authorized the Lu-
theran Church — Canada in consultation with the Syn-
od’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations,
to pursue the quest for Lutheran unity with the Lu-
theran Church in America — Canada Section, on the
basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the convention reaffirm this action,
encouraging the Canadian brethren to seek and strive
for unity in doctrine and practice on the basis of Scrip-
ture and the Lutheran Confessions, and pray that God
will bless such efforts; and be it further

Resolved, That any request for official synodical
action which might result from these discussions be
conveyed to the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
for recommendation to the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the convention respectfully decline
Overture 3-270 as unnecessary,

Action: Adopted as amended (9).

(Amendment: to change original wording of the first re-
solved which read: “. . . unity on the basis of a full and
manifest agreement in doctrine and practice, and pray ...”)

To Adopt the “Interim Principles”
as Guidelines for Interchurch Relations

RESOLUTION 3-10

Commission on Theology and Church Relations Recom-
mendations Nos. 15, 16; Overtures 3-287 No. 4, 3-303
(CW, pp. 35, 36, 190, 196)

Wuereas, Interim principles have been prepared by
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations for
interchurch and ecumenical programs and_ projects;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we adopt these guidelines as interim
principles:

a. The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, in keep-
ing with the Mission Affirmations of the Detroit con-
vention, thinks of itself as a confessional movement
within Christendom.

b. Accordingly, The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod recognizes the worth and validity of the procla-
mation of the Gospel and the administration of the sac-
raments wherever these responsibilities are executed in
conformity with Biblical doctrine.

c. The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod recog-
nizes its responsibilities toward the work of the whole
church as it carries out its tasks in diverse forms and
various ways throughout the world.

d. At the same time, The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod is bound by its own understanding of the
doctrine of the church, as drawn from Holy Scripture
and exhibited in the Lutheran Confessions, to think
of itself in terms of a Strong commitment to the task
of safeguarding the purity of the Gospel in dealing
with other church bodies and in relating to interchurch
and ecumenical groups and activities.

e. In view of these considerations, The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod herewith declares its readi-
ness to assume total responsibility for individual proj-
ects which may have an ecumenical character and
which, through discussion and agreement with the
proper synodical authorities, are assigned to it as part
of a coordinated approach to the worldwide tasks of
Christendom,

f. This declaration is made with a view to expressing
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod’s concern for
order and coordination in ecumenical tasks, but with-
Out sacrificing its own doctrinal and administrative
integrity; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage the CTCR to prepare
a more detailed set of guidelines; and be it finally

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures
3-287, point 4, and 3-303.

Action: Adopted as amended (9).

as an amendment to strike “point 4.” However, an amend-
ment prevailed to print the “Interim Principles” as part of
the first resolved.)

To Study Selective Fellowship
RESOLUTION 3-11
Overtures 3-286 and 3-302 (CW, pp. 190, 196)

Wuereas, There is a continued concern in the matter
of selective fellowship; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod request, through its Presj-
dent, the Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions, the Commission on Mission and Ministry, and
the Commission on Constitutional Matters to make a
thorough study of selective fellowship, that is, the
possibilities of jts member congregations practicing
fellowship with such congregations as they find are in
confessional agreement with them, and to make recom-