LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 80

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80 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

from which there is no likelihood of deviation in the
foreseeable future, if ever. Dr. David Preus has made
some very imprudent statements regarding the Missouri
Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions, and seems to be of the opinion that ifthe rank and
file pastors and laymen of the Missouri Synod had an
opportunity to meet with their counterparts in the ALC
to discuss the basis for church fellowship, our people
would feel quite differently than the members of the
committee.

This is an interesting speculation. But exactly the
same speculation is undoubtedly going on in the minds
of many of us at this convention. Namely, does the ALC
Fellowship Committee genuinely represent the theology
and thinking of the rank and file pastors of the ALC, or
are we also in this instance dealing with some “ivory
tower hairsplitters”? I must say that under our very
democratic structure, and with the enormous opportuni-
ties for people to express themselves in al} kinds of
forums in the Synod, and especially in view of our wide-
open, no-holds-barred controversy, in which every con-
gregation had the free option to leave our Synod if it
wished to, I think there is a very close degree of
harmony between the theological eggheads or “ivory
tower hairsplitters” and the rank and file of the Missouri
Synod. It was with this confidence in mind that I stated
that whether or not fellowship continues, Missouri
Synod people at all levels and in all places are delighted
for the opportunity of bearing witness to their faith.

If we in this convention decide to accede to the
request of the Church Council of the ALC that fellow-
ship not be broken and that discussions be held, then
this calls for the finest kind of churchmanship on our
part. I do not believe that Missouri Synod Lutherans
hold their doctrinal position because they think they are
better than others, or because they think they are
smarter, or because they disdain and look down upon
other Christians or other Lutherans. I think our people
hold their doctrinal position because they genuinely
believe that this is what the Word of God teaches clearly
and without equivocation. Therefore, if we decide to
remain in fellowship and discuss doctrine with the ALC
and with others, this means on the one hand that we do
not approach them in a Milquetoast manner as those
who have no convictions and are simply subject to every
wind of doctrine that blows across the landscape. On
the other hand, if we approach them with arrogance and
a cocksure attitude that God has somehow supplied us
with all truth and denied it to others, we will be neither
fair to ourselves nor to The American Lutheran Church
nor to the improvement of relations between our respec-
tive churches. There is a very fine line here, and it calls
for the most skilled leadership at the presidential level,
as well as that of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, at the level of District Presidents and
all of our pastors and laypeople. It could be a very
interesting and exciting experience for us in thousands
of locations around the country really to talk forth-
rightly with other Lutherans relative to the differences
between our respective churches and our own under-

standing of the Scripture and the Lutheran Confessiong:
It is very evident that Missouri does not want to go intg
an isolationism in which under the pretext of being!
afraid of unionism or contaminating ourselves we!
simply withdraw from all discussions with all people
with whom we are not in total doctrinal agreement. Itig
also true that we are very much of the opinion that true
doctrine is something that is taught in God’s holy Wo
and that it is to be sought and fostered and maintained:
at all levels. There is no place for confessional Luther.
to indulge in compromise or in watering down the truth :
of God’s holy Word and particularly the truth of the’
Gospel of Jesus Christ itself.

Therefore, it is my recommendation to the Synod
that in considering this proposal we not only look at The!
American Lutheran Church but also at ourselves. What:
kind of church are we? It is impossible for us to carry on
a program of active witnessing to God’s truth if we clet
leaders who are indifferent to that truth or confused, of
unsure ofit, or are unable to articulate it, or are afraid to
bear witness to it and prefer to go our separate way and:
leave the witness bearing to others. It is a time to ask
how strong and united we are, how willing to do the;
hard work of studying and bearing witness. oe
commands us to avoid false teachers. He also comman
us to bear witness to His truth in the face of unbelievers);
doubters, scoffers, errorists, and the confused. Bot i
principles are Scriptural. Both must be done with;
courage and winsomeness, patience and wisdom.

If fellowship is to be continued, we must practice it
without compromise or vacillation. Our fathers taught.
that it was not necessary to separate as long as o1
witness is heard and permitted. I can honestly say thi
at the leadership level our discussions have produce
nothing. What of the grassroots? I wish I kne
Thousands of ALC and, for that matter, LCA Lutherai
seem to feel at home in our congregations. Does th
mean a difference between the clergy and laity ora
difference between pastors and the official positions
their churches? The convention must decide. A uni
and strong Missouri can be a great influence on Amél
can church life. A divided and timorous Missouri w
fail and eventually fall. We face a hard decision.
God give us the vision, wisdom, and courage to make
decision which pleases Him and serves His church.’

In closing, I wish again to thank all who have b
so kind to me during these past years, ask the forgiv
ness of all of those who have been hurt, and wish
Synod God’s richest blessings as it moves on into whi
under Him and with His blessing can be the mo!
marvelous era that our beloved church body has eV!
known. We live in times which are very conduciv
religion. People are at a loss, they are confused :
demoralized, and the precious message of the Gospel!
the forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlastiti
life is something that ought to bring tremendous joy am!
happiness to a world which is in such a terrible states
confusion. Now is the time for the church to go to W®
and carry out its marvelous mission of preaching ¥
Gospel and loving our fellowmen. May God bless u