LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 126

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126 RESOLUTIONS

(Denver convention Res. 3-15, Proceedings, pp. 96—98);
and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and
Church Relations (1977 CW, p. 43) has reported that
doctrinal agreement does not exist between these two
church bodies in the following areas:

1. the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the
Scriptures;

2. the ordination of women to the pastoral office;

3. the nature and basis of fellowship;

4. membership and participation in ecumenical
organizations (unionism); and

WHEREAS, The Missouri Synod members of the
ALC—LCMS Commission on Fellowship report that no
substantial progress has been made in resolving these
differences; and

WHEREAS,

1. there is some evidence of agreement in doctrine
and practice between members of the ALC and LCMS
on the local level;

2. not all members of the ALC share the objec-
tionable positions and practices of the ALC and some of
its officials and theologians;

3. many LCMS members are unaware of the serious
differences that exist at the church body level;

4. there is considerable evidence of doctrinal dis-
agreement and confusion in understanding the nature
and implications of the concept of fellowship itself;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS declare itself to be in a
state of “fellowship in protest” with the ALC on
account of doctrinal disagreements as indicated above.
Such a state of “fellowship in protest,” as the CTCR
stated in a 1970 document, “is not tantamount to the
breaking of fellowship. If, however, the circumstances
which called forth the protest are not corrected in due
time, the implication is that the protest will lead to the
severance of fellowship relations” (1971 CW, p. 39). This
would mean that the LCMS officially recognizes that
its relationship of altar and pulpit fellowship with the
ALC has been disrupted by positions and practices of
the ALC. It would allow pastors and congregations of
the Synod to practice fellowship with the pastors and
congregations of the ALC whom they have found to be
in agreement in doctrine and practice with the position
of the LCMS, wherever this can be done without giving
offense; and be it further

Resolved,

1. That the Synod direct its President and CTCR to
provide for continued discussions within the Commis-
sion on Fellowship and for multilevel discussions
(seminary faculties, Districts, circuits, congregations)
between the two church bodies on the doctrinal issues
that now disturb the relationship between the church
bodies, and request the president of The American
Lutheran Church to do the same within the ALC;

2. That the Synod 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 recognizes both the needs of God’s people in the local
congregation as well as the will of the Synod in
declaring that it is now in a state of “fellowship in
protest” with the ALC;

3. That the synod ask the CTCR to prepare a
comprehensive study and report on the nature and
implications of the concept of fellowship (cf. 1977 CW, p.
44) and to disseminate this report throughout the
Synod for widespread study prior to the 1979 synodical
convention;

4. That the Synod reconsider its relationship to the
ALC in the 1979 synodical convention and to that end
implore the blessings and guidance of the Holy Spirit
on all efforts to resolve doctrinal differences and

achieve a God-pleasing fellowship relationship with the
ALC.

Action: Adopted (7).

(Resolution 3-02A was introduced by the committee in
Session 4. A motion to delete the first resolve and the final
words, “in declaring .. .” of point 2 of the second resolve was
defeated. In Session 7 the delegates declined an amendment to
remove the final whereas and the first resolve and to substi-
tute a resolve “that the LCMS declare with regret that fellow-
ship with the ALC at the synodical level does not exist on
account of the doctrinal differences listed above” as well as
to substitute “fellowship with the ALC at the synodical level
does not exist” for the last words of the second resolve, point 2.
Also declined was an amendment to substitute throughout
“fellowship with reservation” for “fellowship in protest” and to
substitute for the final paragraph of the resolution the words
“That the Synod review the progress made with the ALCin the
1979 convention.’’)

To Continue Selective Participation
in LCUSA

RESOLUTION 3-03A

Reports 3-01, II, J; 3-04 (CW, pp. 45—46, 63—69);
Overtures 3-116 (CW, p. 103), 3-121A—3-133B
(CW, pp. 104—107)

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and
Church Relations concluded on the basis of the study
and evaluation called for in 1971 Res. 3-18, “that the
Missouri Synod participation in LCUSA is consistent
with the Synod’s Scriptural and confessional position”;
and

WHEREAS, There continues to be careful evaluation
by the Board of Directors in selective participation in
LCUSA programs according to the needs of the LCMS;
and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has benefited through its
participation in LCUSA; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS continue to work within
LCUSA according to its needs and financial limitation;
and be it further

Resolved, That reports on progress in doctrinal
discussions within LCUSA which are to “strive for
theological consensus” be given by Synod’s members of
the Division of Theological Studies to the Synod
showing areas of agreement and areas of disagreement.