LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 134

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134 RESOLUTIONS

the joint Lutheran statement regarding membership in
anti-Christian and unchristian organizations and en-
courage its “wide distribution for study and effective
implementation.”

Action: Adopted as amended (11).

(Amendment: Insertion of “President of the Synod in
consultation with the .. .” in first whereas.)

To Decline Bylaw Amendments
on Fellowship Recognition Proposals

RESOLUTION 3-17
Overture 3-299 (CW, p. 194)

Wuereas, 16.03 of the Synod’s Bylaws (Handbook,
1969, p. 216) does not apply to the declaration of fellow-
ship with The American Lutheran Church; and

Wuereas, Special procedures for fellowship with
The American Lutheran Church were carried out in
keeping with the New York convention directives (Pro-
ceedings, 1967, pp. 102—103); therefore be it

Resolved, That we decline Overture 3-299.
Action: Adopted (11).

To Study Lutheran Council in the U.S. A.
RESOLUTION 3-18

Report 3-02; Overtures 3-03—3-72, 3-126 second resolved,
3-182, 3-284, 3-293, 3-306, 4-31, 4-32, 4-33 (CW, pp. 130
to 145, 154, 167, 189—190, 192, 197)

Section I

Whereas, The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. was
established by the several Lutheran church bodies in
1967; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod
has enjoyed great benefits from participation in LCUSA;
and

Wuereas, The participation of LCMS in LCUSA has
been questioned and criticized within the Synod; and

Wuereas, The sizable cost of the Synod’s share for
the operations of LCUSA has been cause for concern;
and

Wuereas, There is concern whether or not LCUSA
is operating effectively and efficiently in its planning,
programing, and budgeting; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod petition the proper persons or board
of LCUSA to institute an independent and objective
study of all its operations in order to evaluate the
need for the various divisions, departments, commis-
sions, and offices; their efficiency and effectiveness;
their procedures and policies; their planning and pro-
graming; their fiscal posture and budgeting; their ser-
vices; and any other relevant matters; and be it further

Resolved, That this study and evaluation shall be
made by a committee equally representing the three

church bodies; that these representatives shall be ap-
pointed by the respective presidents; and that the
members of this committee shall in no event be em-_
ployees of LCUSA; and be it further

Resolved, That this study and evaluation be under-
taken as soon as possible in order that the results may
be made available to the respective presidents of the
three church bodies prior to the 1972 annual meeting
of LCUSA; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod,
upon completion of this study and evaluation, be au-
thorized to determine, on the basis of need, the pro-
grams and services of which the Synod should avail
itself and for which it will allocate funds; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Directors: to-
gether with the Synod’s representatives on the com-
mittee make a report of their findings, actions, and
recommendations to the next convention of the Synod.

Section II

Wuereas, Membership in the Lutheran Council in
the U.S. A. requires participation by all member church
bodies in the Division of Theological Studies, and this
at the insistence of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod (Res. 3-12, 1965 Proceedings, p. 110); and

Parliamentarian and President

Wuereas, The intended purpose of theological dis-
cussions in the Division of Theological Studies and in
other divisions of the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.
is to promote unity in doctrine and practice among the
participating church bodies (Bylaw, VIII, E, 1); and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Council in the U.S. A. is a
council of Lutheran church bodies and not of Lutheran
individuals; and

Whereas, Concern has been expressed that certain
theological study documents, e.g., Who Can This Be?
and The Ordination of Women, have contradicted spe-
cific doctrinal positions of The Lutheran Church — Mis-