LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 139

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RESOLUTIONS 139

Wuereas, The proposals of the participating bodies
have far-reaching significance for The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, and widespread discussion of the is-
sues involved should take place before commitments are
made; and

Wuereas, The ALC in its 1970 convention resolved:

That the ALC affirm and invite the Lutheran Church in
America and The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to
affirm that the committee formed to implement the goal
of Lutheran unity develop and propose to the participat-
ing churches as rapidly as possible common organizational
structures and when this is not possible, structures that
will lend themselves most easily to joint activity;

therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod note the content of the document entitled “A
Statement of the Participating Bodies in the Lutheran
Council in the United States of America Regarding Lu-
theran Unity”; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod restate its desire to initiate and work toward fel-
lowship with those Lutheran churches with whom it is
not in altar and pulpit fellowship, and continue to work
toward a greater degree of unity with those with whom
it is in altar and pulpit fellowship, and that the activity
proceed as follows:

1) Multilevel discussion of the Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions with those Lutheran
churches with whom we are not in fellowship in
order to seek agreement in doctrine and practice
leading to a declaration of altar and pulpit fellow-
ship. These discussions may serve to provide
guidelines for additional cooperative activity;

2) Declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship by a
majority vote of the church delegates assembled
in church convention after the President of the
Synod and the CTCR make a recommendation in
the matter;

3) Continued negotiations to find the proper ensuing
steps to implement additional forms of cooperative
activity;

and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod express the position that, at this time, it is pri-
marily oriented toward altar and pulpit fellowship and
further cooperative activities, rather than organic union;
and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, in con-
sultation with the CTCR, be empowered to appoint four
representatives to the discussions of the committee rec-
ommended by the Inter-Lutheran Consultation and the
executive committee of the Lutheran Council and en-
dorsed by The American Lutheran Church and the
executive council of the Lutheran Church in America,
and that the President keep the Synod fully informed
of the progress of such discussions; and be it finally

Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the
Synod be asked to give careful consideration to the is-
sues raised by the “Statement of the Participating

Bodies” and the proposals of The American Lutheran
Church.

Action: Adopted (17).
(See Resolution 3-19.)

To Express Thanks in the
Cause of Church Relations

RESOLUTION 3-27

Wuereas, So many individuals, boards, and com-
missions have given Spirit-filled and capable leadership
to the Synod in matters that include church relations,
particularly the following: the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations, the Inter-Church Commission on
Fellowship, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
representatives to the Lutheran Council in the U.S. A.,
the Lutheran Council in Canada, the general secretaries
of both, and the President of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention express its gratitude
to these servants of the church for their dedicated ef-
forts; and be it also

Resolved, That we above all thank the Lord of the
church who gives gifts to men and uses these gifts for
His glory and the welfare of His church.

Action: Adopted (17).

4. SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION

To Transfer Trinity Congregation,
Claire City, S. Dak., to South Dakota District

RESOLUTION 4-01
Overtures 4-24, 4-25 (CW, p. 221)

Wuereas, The transfer from the North Dakota Dis-
trict to the South Dakota District of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod, requested by Trinity Lu-
theran Church, Claire City, S. Dak., has been approved
by both Districts during their most recent conventions;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod authorize the transfer of Trinity Lutheran
Church of Claire City, S. Dak., from the North Dakota
District to the South Dakota District of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod.

Action: Adopted (4).

To Transfer St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Julesburg, Colo., to Colorado District
RESOLUTION 4-02
Overtures 4-26—4-28 (CW, p. 222)

Wuereas, St. Paul Lutheran Congregation of Jules-
burg, Colo., has requested transfer from the Wyoming
District to the Colorado District; and

Wuereas, The Board of Directors of both the Colo-