LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 43

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 43

rescinding fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church. It was his belief that we can get along without
being together but that God has called us to a life
together. He also expressed his belief that the words
“Gospel and all its articles” is a mischievous phrase,
since it is impossible on that basis to arrive at complete
uniformity of doctrine and practice. He also expressed
his regret that The American Lutheran Church and
other Lutheran bodies would be walking together on a
path toward unity without the LCMS. He assured the
delegates in closing that the doors, hearts, and arms of
fellowship would always be open to The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.

Theology and Church Relations

Chairman Cloeter of the Floor Committee on Theo!l-
ogy and Church Relations reintroduced the discussion
of Res. 3-06. Discussion began with regard to an amend-
ment which had been offered from the floor the last
time the resolution was under consideration. Respond-
ing to the objection of a delegate that the proposed
amendment was not germane to the resolution and was
improper, the Chair ruled the amendment out of order.
An amendment asking that the second, third, and
fourth resolveds of Overture 3-80 (CW 185) and a final
resolved which stated, “Resolved, That the Synod pub-
lish the responses to the poll in the Lutheran Witness no
later than six months prior to the next convention of the
Synod” was offered to the convention. After some
discussion, this amendment was declined. Res. 3-06(TB
69) was then adopted, assuring The American Lutheran
Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the
Association of Ev. Lutheran Churches of the continuing
desires of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to
seek agreement in Biblical and confessional doctrine
and practice whether these church bodies continue to
exist as individual denominations or in a new organiza-
tional structure.

A resolution was offered from the floor calling for
the adoption of the guidelines for implementing the
suspension of fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church which had appeared in the President’s Report
found on pages 201 ff. of Today’s Business. During the
discussion, President Albert Marcis, chairman of the
Guidelines Committee, addressed the delegates stating
that in preparation of these guidelines the committee
had hoped to be helpful and to assist the Synod in a
Positive way. Responding to a point of order that the
resolution was not in keeping with Bylaw 1.27, the
Chair sustained the objection which was made and the
resolution was removed from consideration.

A resolution calling for the continuation of fellow-
ship discussions with the Ev. Lutheran in Canada was
adopted (Res. 3-07, TB70). It also asked that appropriate
recommendations regarding this matter be made to the
next. synodical convention through the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations. By adopting Res. 3-20
(TB 75) the convention instructed its President to
request the division of theological studies of LCUSA to
place on the division’s agenda as a matter of urgency a

thorough discussion of far-reaching implications of
historical criticism as practiced in U.S. Lutheranism.
They further resolved that the Synod should invite the
Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod, the Ev. Lutheran
Synod, and the Ev. Lutheran Federation to engage in
doctrinal discussions intended to lead toward declara-
tions of pulpit and altar fellowship (Res. 3-08, TB 70).

Closing Devotions

Professor Dan Pokorny of Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, led the delegates in the closing devotion. He used
as his text the words which were used for the first deaf
sermon, “God is Love.” The devotion was presented
orally as well as in sign language, and the delegates
were taught to pray the prayer “God, make me a lover”
by means of sign language.

Session 10

July 8, Afternoon
Opening Devotions

Dr. August Suelflow once again led the delegates in
the opening devotion. He asked them to join him in the
singing of “There Still Is Room” and in his remarks
focused on evangelism within The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod. He especially singled out Dr. Wyneken,
who, although he did not know the word evangelism,
was an excellent example of one who was vitally
concerned with getting the word of God’s love and
forgiveness in Jesus Christ out to those who did not
know it. Citing examples of some of the hardships
which he faced, he then quoted from some of the words
of Dr. Wyneken which reflected this concern. After the
closing prayer and benediction the delegates joined in
the singing of the second stanza of “Hark the Voice of
Jesus Crying.”

Statement

Dr. Karl Barth was granted the privilege of address-
ing the delegates to express regret for statements which
were made from the podium which implied that several
District Presidents were not supportive of the Synod. He
expressed his trust in these men and explained to the
delegates that the guidelines for implementing the
suspension of fellowship with the ALC were never
intended to be brought to the convention for action but
were intended to be supportive of leaders of the Districts
as they carried out their responsibilities.

Minutes

Before presenting the Minutes of Session 5 and 6 for
approval the Convention Secretary reported that the
statement of floor committee chairman Cloeter, of the
Floor Committee on Theology and Church Relations,
issued prior to the introduction of the resolution to
rescind fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church, would be included in the next issue of Today’s
Business. The Minutes of Session 5 and 6 were then
approved, since no substantive changes were offered
from the floor.