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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 343

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

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Resolved, That we give thanks to God that discussions between
official representatives of the LCMS and the LCU have revealed that
complete agreement exists between our two churches in doctrine and
practice; and be it further
Resolved, That this convention endorse the Synod President’s declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCMS and the
LCU; and be it further
Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years
on this agreement in the confession of the Gospel which we enjoy as
partner churches; and be it finally
Resolved, That in celebration and thanksgiving of this partnership
in the Gospel, the convention assembly signify its approval by rising
and singing the Doxology.
Commission on Theology and Church Relations
5-03

To Recognize Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala
as a Self-Governing Partner Church
Whereas, In 1986, the LCMS Board for Mission Services
(BFMS) for all intents and purposes turned over the Synod’s property and mission in Guatemala to its indigenous Lutheran church,
the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala (“The Lutheran Church in
Guatemala”); and
Whereas, The aforementioned action by the BFMS for all
practical purposes established Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala as a
self-governing partner church; and
Whereas, For the entire time period since the aforementioned
action by the BFMS, the Synod has in practice effectively interacted
with and recognized Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala as a self-governing partner church, despite the fact that the Synod did not formally
confer this status upon Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala by a convention resolution; and
Whereas, Rev. Abdiel Orozco, President of the Iglesia Luterana
en Guatemala, in conversations with the Synod leadership and in a
Nov. 4, 2015, letter addressed to the director of church relations, has
confirmed the church’s desire to have this oversight rectified and to
receive formal recognition of its status as a self-governing partner
church under LCMS Bylaws; and
Whereas, The Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala has committed
itself to be faithful to the inerrant Scriptures and has subscribed without reservation to the writings of the Book of Concord; and
Whereas, The Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala seeks in every way
to be and remain a scripturally faithful, confessional Lutheran church
body; and
Whereas, 2013 Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d) states that “When a mission
of the Synod applies for formal recognition as a self-governing partner church, such recognition shall be proposed at convention of the
Synod by the Board for International Mission with the approval of the
[C]ommission [on Theology and Church Relations]”; and
Whereas, In compliance with 2013 Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d), the
Board for International Mission has requested and received the
approval of the CTCR to propose to the 2016 LCMS convention that
the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala be recognized as a self-governing partner church; and
Whereas, Appropriate protocol documents guiding interactions
between the LCMS and the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala have been
developed; therefore be it
Resolved, That this resolution be submitted as an overture to the
2016 convention from the Board for International Mission, subject to

343

appropriate edits and amendments not changing its essential meaning provided by collaborating representatives from the Board for
International Mission and the CTCR; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for the efforts of its
missionaries and Guatemalan national pastors of the Iglesia Luterana
en Guatemala; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks that God, by His grace,
has equipped and prepared the members of the Iglesia Luterana
en Guatemala to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in
Guatemala; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks for the growth of this former
“daughter church” of the LCMS and its ongoing vitality as a selfgoverning Lutheran church body; and be it further
Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit; and be it further
Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years
on this agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as
partner churches, and for the power and blessing of the Lord to be
upon the members and leaders of the Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala;
and be it finally
Resolved, That in celebration and thanksgiving of this partnership in the Gospel, the 2016 LCMS convention assembly signify its
approval by rising and singing the Doxology.
Board for International Mission
5-04

To Recognize Iglesia Luterana de Venezuela
as a Self-Governing Partner Church
Whereas, The LCMS Board for Mission Services (BFMS) for all
intents and purposes turned over the Synod’s property and mission in
Venezuela to its indigenous Lutheran church, the Iglesia Luterana de
Venezuela (“The Lutheran Church of Venezuela”); and
Whereas, The aforementioned action by the BFMS for all
practical purposes established Iglesia Luterana de Venezuela as a
self-governing partner church; and
Whereas, For the entire time period since the aforementioned
action by the BFMS, the Synod has in practice effectively interacted
with and recognized Iglesia Luterana de Venezuela as a self-governing partner church, despite the fact that the Synod did not formally
confer this status upon Iglesia Luterana de Venezuela by convention
resolution; and
Whereas, Rev. J. Elías Lozano, president of the Iglesia Luterana
de Venezuela, in conversations with the Synod leadership has confirmed the church’s desire to have this oversight rectified and to
receive formal recognition of its status as a self-governing partner
church under LCMS Bylaws; and
Whereas, The Iglesia Luterana de Venezuela has committed itself
to be faithful to the inerrant Scriptures and has subscribed without
reservation to the writings of the Book of Concord; and
Whereas, The Iglesia Luterana de Venezuela seeks in every way
to be and remain a scripturally faithful, confessional Lutheran church
body; and
Whereas, 2013 Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d) states that “When a mission
of the Synod applies for formal recognition as a self-governing partner church, such recognition shall be proposed at convention of the
Synod by the Board for International Mission with the approval of the
[C]ommission [on Theology and Church Relations]; and
2016 Convention Workbook