LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 155

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are members of denominations not in fellowship with
the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS recognize that its con-
gregations and pastors, as circumstances warrant, may
provide responsible pastoral care to individuals of the
ALC; and

IV. Continued Doctrinal Discussions

WHEREAS, The LCMS considers agreement with
other Lutheran Church bodies in Biblical and confes-
sional doctrine and practice to be one of its highest
priorities; and

WHEREAS, The lack of such agreement with The
American Lutheran Church is particularly grievous in
view of the long and cherished relationships and the
common confessional heritage enjoyed by both church
bodies; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS herewith commit itself to
pursue doctrinal discussions with the ALC with the
prayer that the Lord of the church will send His Holy
Spirit to guide and bless those discussions, to enable
both church bodies to reach agreement in doctrine and
practice and thereby hasten the day when the two
church bodies can enjoy God-pleasing altar and pulpit
fellowship.

Action: Adopted (3).

(In introducing Res. 3-01 Chairman O. H. Cloeter of the
floor committee made a statement printed elsewhere and led
the delegates in prayer. Hethen indicated that the words “with
deep sorrow” were to be added to the resolution.

‘An amendment was introduced to strike the third
WHEREAS, of Section II and to add asa first resolved,: “That the
above declaration does not bind the consciences of those
congregations and pastors who believe that there is sufficient
consensus toward their continued practice of altar and pulpit
fellowship at this time.” During the discussion an amendment
to the amendment was proposed which would have eliminated
the word “pulpit” from the amendment. On a point of order a
delegate contended that the amendment was a substitute
motion. The delegates sustained the ruling of the Chair that it
was not. After agreeing to close debate, both the amendment to
the amendment and the original amendment were declined.
With the permission of the Chair a substitute resolution was
then distributed:

To Involve Congregations in the Discussion
and Decision Process On Fellowship

WHEREAS, The preaching of the Gospel and the administration
of the Sacraments are God-ordained activities of the congregation;
and

WHEREAS, Congregations should be involved in a significant
way in defining their needs related to “pulpit and altar fellowship”
and the basis for such fellowship; and

WHEREAS, The Church Council of The American Lutheran
Church has recently invited The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
to join in widespread local and regional consultations regarding
continuance of fellowship and our own synodical President has
responded that such multilevel discussions are most welcome;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we rejoice in the response of the Church Council
of The American Lutheran Church seeking widespread discussions
on the basis, nature, and implications of fellowship; and be it
further

Resolved, That the President appoint a commission represen-
tative of the varying viewpoints on this issue within the Synod and
consisting of three parish pastors, four laypersons, a professor from
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and a professor from Concordia
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, to work with The American
Lutheran Church representatives to facilitate such discussions and
monitor their results and direction; and this commission be directed

RESOLUTIONS 155

to form recommendations to succeeding conventions; and be it
finally

Resolved, That we continue our present fellowship relationship
with The American Lutheran Church until such discussions are
concluded and recommendations acted upon.

After the distribution the delegates by a vote of 544 to 497
agreed to consider the substitute. After discussion the delegates
declined to resort to a ballot vote and instead declined the
substitute motion by a standing vote of 474 to 611.

At this point there was a call for the orders of the day. A
delegate, however, made a motion to extend the time to
complete action on Res. 3-01. The Chair called for a division of
the house on the motion to extend time. The motion carried, 714
to 367.

After continued discussion the delegates agreed to cease
debate but declined to vote on the issue by means of a written
ballot. A division of the house showed that 590 favored the
resolution while 494 were opposed.

In Session 5 a motion was made to reconsider Resolution
3.01. After listening to a number of opinions and hearing from
President-elect Ralph Bohlmann, who spoke in opposition to
reconsideration, the delegates declined to reopen discussion of

01.

In Session 9 a resolution was offered from the floor calling
for the adoption of the guidelines for implementing the suspen-
sion of fellowship with the ALC which had appeared in the
President’s Report. Responding to a point of order that the
resolution was not in keeping with Bylaw 1.27, the Chair
sustained an objection and the resolution was removed from
consideration.)

To Implement Pro-Life Programs
RESOLUTION 3-02

Report 3-01 (CW, p. 159); Overtures 3-31—3-35B;
8-17 (CW, pp. 169—170, 307)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
has consistently taken a strong position in opposition to
willful abortion and in support of human life in Res.
2-39, 1971, Milwaukee; Res. 3-08C, 1977, Dallas; Res.
3-02A, 1979, St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Abortion on demand continues unabated
in the United States and Canada—and more than one
million unborn children are killed each year; and

WHEREAS, Continuing and increasing protest against
abortion on demand, and witnessing to the sanctity of
all human life are the responsibility of every Christian;
and

WHEREAS, The Synod has given testimony to the
United States government on behalf of its Pro-Life
stance and such testimony continues to be needed; and

WHEREAS, Such testimony also should be presented
to the Canadian government as well; and

WHEREAS, Efforts are needed to assist the church in
the implementation of St. Louis, 1979 Res. 3-02A; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church— Missouri
Synod, through its appropriate agencies, continue to
give testimony to its Pro-Life stance to all levels of
government in the U.S.; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod through the Lutheran Church—Canada, an
agency of three Canadian Districts, give testimony to
its Pro-Life stance to the Canadian government; and be
it further