LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 70

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70 ; REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

achieving full financial openness and disclosure, but we are
not yet there. The resolutions which you will consider in
this regard will help us move ahead on-this issue and reach
a point where we do indeed practice full financial openness
and disclosure, and therefore, put to rest lingering concerns
and questions in this regard. I urge you to support the floor
committee resolutions concerning this issue as they are
found in Today’s Business.

There are many other important decisions you will
make. For instance, you will have the opportunity to reaf-
firm our Synod’s scriptural and confessional position on
such issues as unionism (Resolution 3-18) and altar fellow-
ship (Resolution 3-19). Our Synod’s position on these issues
is the teaching of Holy Scripture and our Lutheran Confes-
sions and deserves our affirmation and reaffirmation. The
same would also hold true concerning the need to reaffirm
our Synod’s confessional practice relative to close Commu-
nion. All three of these positions are great strengths of our
church body, not weaknesses. Therefore, I encourage you
to support these resolutions.

Another resolution which comes before you concerns the
whole area of the Church Growth Movement. Resolution 3-
17 calls for a special study of this whole area. I believe we
all recognize that over the past several years our Synod has
experienced a considerable level of concern about certain
aspects of the Church Growth Movement. While we defi-
nitely must recognize a number of important and positive
contributions this movement has made among us, we can
also recognize some very genuine dangers this movement
poses for our continuing faithfulness to Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions. Therefore, I would encourage you to
support Resolution 3-17.

These then are some thoughts on some of the issues
which will come before you, but in general, I would con-
clude by again urging you to support the work of the floor
committees.

Concluding Thoughts
about Our Synod’s Family Reunion

We are sent forth by God’s blessing to be faithful and to
reach out boldly with the Gospel. It is for this reason that
when I was first elected to serve as your President I
sounded the theme “Keep the message straight, Missouri.
Get the message out, Missouri.” I am convinced, now more
than ever, that these two items must be our most funda-
mental goal as a synodical family,

Over the past two-and-a-half years, our Synod has re-
sponded very favorably to ‘the five-fold vision statement,
summarizing our work together. It is a vision of a-Synod
which is strongly in the Word, people-sensitive and people-
centered, reaching out boldly with the Gospel, faithful to
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and, finally, com-
mitted to peace and unity in the Lord. Under the blessing of
Almighty God, I am convinced that we as a synodical family
can move forward boldly and courageously as we are sent
forth by God’s blessing. During the next six days, this vi-
sion for our Synod will be summarized with two words:
faithfulness and outreach.

So, again I say, “Welcome to The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod’s family reunion. It is good to see you all
here.” And as we move ahead during these next six days,
may the rich blessings of our gracious God in Christ clearly
rest upon each of you. For this we pray, and, confident of
His blessing, we now move into the business of our Synod’s
convention, our family reunion together.

A. L. Barry, President