LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 119

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 119

Chile Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
Republic of Chile

President: The Rev. Juan Jose Mueller
Lutheran Church of Guatemala
President: The Rev. David Rodriquez
Lutheran Synod of Mexico .
President: The Rev. Jaziel E. Lopez
Fajardo |

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Paraguay

President: The Rev. Eugenio Wentzel

Sociedad Luterana de Evangelizacion en
Venezuela

President: The Rev. Gilberto Alcides
Franco

NORTH AMERICA

Lutheran Church—Canada

President: Dr. Edwin Lehman

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
President: Dr. Alvin L. Barry

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND AUSTRALIA

Australia Lutheran Church of Australia
President: Dr. Lance G. Steicke

India Evangelical Lutheran Church
President: The Rev. Isaac Moon
Gutnius Lutheran Church

Head Bishop: The Rev. David Piso

The Lutheran Church in the Philippines
President: The Rev. Eduardo C. Ladlad)

. To Continue the CTCR
and Ask It to Review Its Procedures

RESOLUTION 3-04A

Report R3-01 (CW, p. 56); Overtures 3-80-103, 7-90
(CW, pp. 176-82, 252)

Preamble:

The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) was established by the Synod in 1962 (Res. 6-03)
to “assist the President at his request in discharging his
constitutional responsibilities” and to “provide guidance to
the Synod in matters of theology and church relations”
(Bylaw 3.925 a, b). It was designed to have broad represen-
tation, and this representation has been changed twice in
response to changing needs [1981 Res. 2-18B, 1986 Res. 3-
16]. Today its membership includes seminary faculty mem-
bers, parish pastors, a parish teacher, a District president
and laypersons. This representative body is elected or ap-
pointed by the Synod in convention, the seminary faculties,
the President of the Synod and the Council of Presidents
(Bylaw 3.921). It has served the Synod well in providing
guidance to the Synod on a wide variety of theological is-
sues.

The CTCR plays a vital role in church relations, com-
. municating the Synod’s doctrinal position to other church

. bodies and groups through theological dialogs and re-
sponding to dialog statements. It supports relationships

Paraguay

Venezuela

Canada

U.S.A.

India
_ New Guinea

Philippines

with other confessional Lutherans throughout the world by
providing staff service for the International Lutheran
Council. It is apparent these church relation activities will
continue to increase.

Because of the work load, the complex nature of the is-
sues before the CTCR, and the mandate often given by the
Synod’s conventions to consult with other groups on certain
issues, theological studies and opinions of the CTCR are not
always issued in a timely fashion. It is apparent that
thought needs to be given to which issues are most appro-
priate for the CTCR to discuss and which issues might be
given to seminary faculties for an opinion.

Resolved, That the staff and members of the CTCR be
commended for their faithful service to the Synod; and be it
further

Resolved,.That the CTCR as a body representative of the
Synod, and working in concert with the President of the
Synod, continue to provide theological guidance and lead-
ership by carrying out the responsibilities assigned to it by
the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR, under the oversight of the
President of the Synod, initiate an internal review of its
procedures and the topics it can most appropriately address
for the purpose of streamlining its operation in order to
issue its opinions in as timely a fashion as possible, inviting
appropriate groups or individuals to participate in this re-
view; and be it finally

Resolved, That the CTCR report to the 1998 convention
of the Synod concerning results of this review, including
any necessary changes in procedure and structure.

Action: Adopted (4).

To Address Concerns
Regarding Woman Suffrage
RESOLUTION 3-05
Overtures 3-76-78; (CW, pp. 175-76)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod de-
clared in 1969, and has subsequently reaffirmed, the posi-
tion that “Scripture does not prohibit women from exercis-
ing the franchise in congregational ... assemblies” (1969
Res. 2-17), thereby placing the matter of woman suffrage
into the realm of Christian liberty; and

WHEREAS, Some members of the Synod continue to be-
lieve that woman’s suffrage is not in the realm of Christian
freedom, but is contrary to the Scriptures and that the
Synod was in error when in 1969 it changed its position re-
garding the permissibility of women exercising the fran-
chise in voters’ assemblies; and

WHEREAS, Other members of the Synod agree with the
position of the Synod that womans suffrage does indeed lie
in the area of Christian liberty, but for various reasons, in-
cluding the sensitivity of consciences of individuals, believe
woman’s suffrage is not advisable in their midst; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the 1969 Res. 2-17;
and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Synod who are convinced
that woman’s suffrage does not lie in the area of Christian