LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 125

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125

3. THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

To Promote Concord and Conciliation
“That We May Grow’’

RESOLUTION 3-01

Report 3-01, 1, B, 12; IV (CW, pp. 41, 47-48);
Overtures 3-11—3-20C, 3-23—3-27, 3-29A—3-
31B, 3-33—3-47, 3-49A—3-51C (CW pp. 73—84)

WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures teach that God-
pleasing concord and harmony in the church are to be
found in doctrinal unity and that doctrinal disagree-
ment engenders strife (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:23, Titus
1:9); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions teach that
preservation of pure doctrine and concord in the church
require not only the maintenance of sound teaching but
also defense against those who would teach otherwise
(FC SD Summ. 1, 10); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
was formed in order to promote the unit of the true faith
and to enable each member to edify his fellow members
and assist them to avoid doctrinal indifference, chaos,
and schism, both through:

a) subscription by all members of the Synod to
Article II of its Constitution, and

b) formulation of doctrinal statements dealing with
contemporary issues at controversy, such as “A
Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles”
(N. O. 2-21, 3-01) as repeatedly affirmed in synodical
convention (Milw. 2-21, 5-24; Anah. 3-04) and by a
decision of its Commission on Constitutional Matters
(Anah. CW, p. 205, IV-D); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has been engaged in bitter
controversy over theology and doctrine; therefore be it

Resolved, That all parts of the Synod now seek to lay
this strife and its wrong causes aside and once more
join together to the original purpose of our beloved
church; and be it further

Resolved, That the whole church recognize that
humility and concord require of us cooperation within
the formal structures of the Synod and its constituted
authorities, especially in its efforts to foster and to
further pure and sound doctrine and study; and be it

Resolved, That the people of God in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod happily and earnestly seek to
live in peace and concord under the Holy Scriptures and
the Luthern Confessions, full of power for Christ’s
mission as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work within
them through the means of grace; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention urgently
request congregations, pastors, and teachers of the
Synod to support the studies and programs in “That We
May Grow” in the strongest possible way with their
Prayers and participation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod adopt the following goals
of the “That We May Grow” program:

1. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church—

Missouri Synod intensify their study of the Holy
Scriptures together, trusting the Holy Spirit to increase
and enrich their personal faith;

2. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod intensify their efforts to identify,
discuss, and resolve the theological issues that trouble
us;

3. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod grow in their ability to translate what
the Holy Scriptures teach about the mission of Christ’s
church into concrete ministries;

4. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod study the Lutheran Confessions, grow
in understanding and appreciation for their continued
relevance, and praise God for 400 years of Lutheran
heritage;

5. That the people of God in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod as fellow members of the body of Christ
grow in the fulfilling of their loving responsibility for
one another as they confront their problems and
challenges; and be it finally

Resolved, That in this way, as well as in services of
thanksgiving and praise, we express our gratitude to
God for the precious heritage of the Sacred Scriptures
and the Lutheran Confessions in this 400th-
anniversary year of the Formula of Concord.

Adopted as amended (4).

(This resolution was introduced in Session 2. An amend-
ment to delete (b) from the third whereas was declined.
However, the delegates did adopt an amendment to abbreviate
the fourth whereas. Amendments were declined which would
have substituted for the final words of the fifth resolve, point
2, or would have added to that point the words: “and
preserve the unity that they have.” After the discussion had
been continued in Session 4, the resolution was adopted as
given above.)

To Declare a State of “Fellowship
in Protest”? with the ALC

RESOLUTION 3-02A

Reports 3-01, II, C; 3-05; Overtures 3-81A—C, 3-
116, 3-136A—3-161, 3-179A—B, 3-183A—3-186,
3-188A—B (CW, pp. 43—44, 69—71, 93, 103, 107—
116, 120—122)

WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus desires that the members
of His church express outwardly the fellowship they
have with Him and with another as a part of the holy
Christian church (John 17:11); and

WHEREAS, Christians are to be united in what they
believe and teach as they work and worship together
(Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:42); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
entered into pulpit and altar fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church in 1969 with the earnest
desire to “seek a unified evangelical position and
practice on the basis of our commitment to the Gospel”