LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 153

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5. THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
WHEREAS, These partner churches have each joined the
LWF at various times and have remained in the LWF for
different and complex reasons; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Office of the President engage in
fraternal dialogue with partner churches regarding this
concern and compile accurate information from them on
their existing relationship to the LWF; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of the President report to the
2022 Synod convention with recommendations on
addressing the relationship between partner churches and
the LWF; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend these
partner churches for their commitment to the Word of God
and the Lutheran Confessions and exhort them to remain
faithful in that confession.
Action: Adopted (6)
Without discussion, the resolution was adopted by unanimous
voice vote.

To Commend and Support
the International Lutheran Council
RESOLUTION 5-08
Overture 5-10 (CW, 431–32)

WHEREAS, The International Lutheran Council (ILC) is a
growing worldwide association of established confessional
Lutheran church bodies, among them The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), which proclaim the
Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of an unconditional
commitment to the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and
infallible Word of God and to the Lutheran Confessions
contained in the Book of Concord as the true and faithful
exposition of the Word of God; and
WHEREAS, The ILC is not a church body nor does it carry
out churchly functions. It does not intend to prescribe any
course of action for its members, but rather seeks to assist
and strengthen them in their confessional witness and
mission. It exists to encourage, strengthen, and promote
confessional Lutheran theology and practice centering in
Jesus Christ, both among member churches and
throughout the world:
• by furthering a united witness to the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and strengthen its member churches
in preaching the Gospel to the entire world;
• by furthering united diaconic action through
intentional acts and programs of mercy in
response to human need and suffering;
• by furthering theological study and the formation
of qualified, orthodox, Lutheran pastors;
• by furthering peace and unity by mediating
member disputes;
Resolutions

and
WHEREAS, The ILC resolved in its 2015 world conference
in Buenos Aires “to strengthen the reach of the ILC” in time
for its 25th anniversary celebrated in Antwerp, Belgium, on
Sept. 25–28, 2018:
• by adopting revised bylaws to meet the challenges
and opportunities of the 21st century;
• by legally incorporating as a non-profit;
• by developing programs that benefit its members;
and
WHEREAS, The ILC has become a beacon to worldwide
Lutheranism by upholding the Holy Scriptures as the
infallible Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions: in
2018 the ILC received 17 new members, bringing its total
membership to 54 Lutheran churches; and
WHEREAS, In his 1956 President’s report, Dr. Behnken
reported that the conferences held in Europe afforded
“opportunities to exert a real influence for Scriptural
Lutheranism … Some great theologians, not of our Synod,
have stated that our Synod and those in fellowship, are the
last hope of true Lutheranism. Many are praying fervently
for us,” and these conferences and prayers led to the
formation of the ILC, which provides hope for true
Lutheranism; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, the Synod in convention (Resolution
3-03A) resolved:
That we state our sincere hope that the International
Lutheran Council may carry on the task it has assigned
to itself, and to that end ask the Lord to grant His greatest
blessings so that the witness of the ILC churches may
glorify Him and be heard throughout the world; and …
That … the LCMS declare that it is a member of the ILC;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for more than
25 years of membership in and for the expansion of the ILC;
and be it further
Resolved, That the ILC be commended for its work to
provide a place for worldwide Lutheran churches to be
strengthened in the Holy Scriptures and in Lutheran
identity as it bears witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
throughout the world; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS encourage its members to learn
more about the work of the ILC, continue its involvement in
the ILC, and support the ILC so that Lutheran churches
worldwide will have a place to be encouraged,
strengthened, and encouraged to remain faithful and bold
witnesses.
Action: Adopted (6)
Without discussion, the resolution was adopted by unanimous
voice vote.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 153