LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 123

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

RESOLUTIONS 123

The basis for this decision was, according to the
resolution, that “the Scriptural and Confessional basis
for altar and pulpit fellowship” (New York, 1967,
Resolution 3-23) and “agreement in the Gospel” (Den-
ver, 1969, Resolution 3-15) existed between the two
church bodies.

However, nearly half the Denver delegates and many
congregations did not believe that studies and discus-
sions indicated a real doctrinal consensus. They held
that basic differences existed between the two church
bodies in their public teaching on the doctrine of the
Scriptures, the nature and basis of church fellowship,
and in their lodge practices.

An Inter-Synodical Commission on Fellowship, con-
sisting of five representatives of each church body, was
established to deal with the differences, and concerns
that existed between the two church bodies.

During the four years that this commission has met,
it has been unable to bring about a resolution of the
doctrinal differences existing between the two church
bodies.

In 1970, the ALC resolved to permit the ordination
of women to the pastoral office. The 1971 convention
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod asked the
ALC to reconsider this action, and requested the Com-
mission on Fellowship to continue its efforts to achieve
a resolution of differences. The convention also recog-
nized that there were “serious differences in the doc-
trine of the authority of Scripture.” (1971 Proceedings,
Resolution 3-21, fourth “Whereas”).

Meanwhile, in October 1971 the Church Council of
the ALC questioned whether or not The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod had changed its position on
the basis for fellowship since the declaration of fellow-
ship in 1969. Our representatives responded by stating
that our understanding of the nature and basis of fel-
lowship had not changed.

In its 1972 convention, the ALC responded to the re-
quest of the Milwaukee convention by expressing its
conviction “that the Scriptures do not teach that women
are forbidden to serve as ministers of Word and Sacra-
ment,” but expressed its “willingness to continue to dis-
cuss this question.”

In the light of the above, be it

Resolved, That the Synod state its deep regret that
four years of discussions in the Commission on Fellow-
ship have not produced evidence that “serious differ-
ences in the doctrine of the authority of Scripture”
(1971 Resolution 3-21, fourth “Whereas”) have been re-
solved, or that our two church bodies have achieved a
common understanding “on what fellowship involves”
(Resolution 3-21, third “Whereas”); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod register its deep concern
over the 1972 decision of the American Lutheran Church
to abide by its 1970 resolution to permit the ordination
of women to the pastoral office; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod declare the denominational
fellowship to be in a state of suspension. By this latter
term we:

a. do not mean the termination of fellowship as
though the bonds between us are herewith im-
mediately and finally broken;

b. assert that consensus between the two church
bodies does not exist in the following areas:

1. the authority of the Scripture;

2. an understanding of the nature and basis of
fellowship;

3. position and practice with regard to member-
ship in ecumenical organizations; and

4. the lodge question;

c. implore all involved, where doctrinal consensus
has been discovered and fellowship practiced by
local congregations of the two church bodies, to
exercise such loving and pastoral care as recog-
nizes the needs of God’s people in the local con-
gregation and the will of the Synod expressed in
this resolution;

d. implore the Synod at its 1975 convention to re-
assess this entire question in the fear and love of
God and with the fervent desire for a happy and
God-pleasing resolution of this matter; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod instruct its representatives
on the Commission on Fellowship to intensify their
efforts

1. to reach a God-pleasing agreement at the de-
nominational level on the matter of ordaining
women to the pastoral office;

2. to achieve and demonstrate a broadly based,
multilevel consensus in the doctrine of the
authority of Holy Scripture and the basis and
nature of fellowship;

3. to arrive at 4 common position and practice on
other matters which have been referred to the
Commission on Fellowship, such as the lodge
question and membership in ecumenical orga-
nizations;

and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod implore the blessings and
guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the discussions be-
tween our two church bodies.

Action. Tabled (16).

(The motion to table carried, 473 to 327. See Minutes,
Session 16.)

To Urge Lutheran Church — Canada
to Determine Its Goals for Lutheran Unity
RESOLUTION 2-41
Reports 2-01, Ii, A and 4-07, C; Overture 2-159A—C
(CW, pp. 33, 181, 93)

Wuereas, The Synod has encouraged Lutheran
Church — Canada to pursue the course of Lutheran
unity in Canada (Proceedings, 1971, Res. 3-09); and

Wuereas, The President of the Synod requested