LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 154

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155

5. CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

To Declare the Synod’s Position
on AELC, Especially Dual
Membership in LCMS and AELC

RESOLUTION 5-01

Overtures 3-162, 3-171, 5-10, 5-15, 5-17—5-31A—
D (CW, pp. 116, 118, 175—181)

WHEREAS, The Association of Evangelical Lutheran
Churches has been formed by certain members of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in violation of the
first object of the Synod, Art. III, 1:“The conservation
and promotion of the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-
6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism and
sectarianism (Rom. 16:17),” and therefore is to be
regarded as schismatic; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters has ruled that congregations,
pastors, and teachers of the LCMS “cannot be affiliated
with the AELC and/or its related bodies without
forfeiting their membership in the Synod” (CCM
Opinion re AELC, Aug. 13—14, 1976); and

WHEREAS, The nature and the future of the AELC is
uncertain, according to public statements by its own
leaders, some regarding it as a “confessing movement”
and others as a “church body”; and

WHEREAS, One of the objects of the Synod is “the
protection of pastors, teachers, and congregations in
the performance of their duties and the maintenance of
their rights” (Objects of the Synod, Art. III, 8); and

WHEREAS, 45 congregations have voted to join the
AELC since its formation but also to remain in the
LCMS (dual membership) and 107 congregations have
voted to join the AELC and to sever ties with the
LCMS; and

WHEREAS, These congregations, in almost every
instance, have taken this action without any consulta-
tion with a representative of the LCMS who was able to
present the cause of the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, There is a strong probability that
sufficient consultation may have prevented them from
joining the AELC; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm the
CCM’s “Opinion re Association of Evangelical
Lutheran Churches” (1977 Convention Workbook, pp.
411—412); and be it further

Resolved, That the implementation date of Sept. 1,
1977, established by the CCM (Sept. 24—25, 1976) be
extended; and be it further

Resolved, That in the case of the congregations,
pastors, and teachers who claim dual membership in
the LCMS and the AELC, the Synod:

1. express brotherly concern over the action they
have taken and urge them to disassociate
themselves from the AELC for reasons of
integrity since such identification with and
support of the AELC is in conflict with the

Chairman Richard Schlecht of Committee 5

Constitution of the LCMS (Art. III, 1), which they
signed and thereby agreed to uphold;

2. encourage each of them to meet with their District
President, along with certain respected and
trusted individuals selected in consultation with
the District President by a special committee
appointed by this convention consisting of Dr.
Michael Stelmachowicz, Dr. Otto A. Dom, and
Pastor Louis Meyer, in order to discuss with them
the contradictory nature of such _ dual
membership, and the six reasons given by the
AELC for forming a new church body (see
attachment), and especially in order to hear their
concerns, so that there be no divisions among us
and that we may be completely united with one
thought and one purpose (1 Cor. 1:10);

3. direct the District Presidents, who have
ministered to them and found them unwilling to
terminate their AELC membership, to regretfully
notify them, as well as those who have refused
ministry by their District President, that they are
regarded to have removed themselves from the
roster of the LCMS and that this be effected no
later than 30 days before their respective 1978
District conventions;

4. permit a District President, with the approval of
the Synodical President, to extend this time in an
exceptional case where conversations are taking
place and where progress is being made toward
what seems to be an imminent resolution, such
extension to be granted prior to the date men-
tioned in the above paragraph;

and be it further

Resolved, That in any event it will be the congrega-
tion, pastor, and teacher, and not the Synod, which will
determine whether or not membership in the Synod will
be continued, since the Synod itself is most desirous
that all continue in membership with the LCMS; and be
it further