LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 170

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170 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

_b. aking-part-n-the servic tt ra eetewsion

Renunciation of all activities which undermine true Christian
unity such as unionism in which pastors serve churches of mixed
confessions, and syncretism in which the truth is compromised
by participating in the sacramental rites of churches outside our
household of faith.

on ah tic adalat

(paragraphs 3-7, no change)

Grace
Arcadia, FL

3-50

To Try New Approach to Altar and Pulpit Fellowship

Wuereas, The first objective in the Constitution of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is to “Conserve and promote
the unity of the truth faith ... toward fellowship with other Christian
bodies ...”; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has at-
tempted to fulfill this objective by participating in official bilateral
dialogues with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church,
Episcopal Church, and several churches of the Reformed tradition,
together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
and its predecessor bodies; and

Wuereas, The significant doctrinal agreement which has been
reached in these dialogues has not received as much publicity
among members of the Missoun Synod as the agreements; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s Commission on Theology and
Church Relations identify and publicize the agreements that have
been reached, especially regarding the Gospel affirmation of justi-
fication by faith and the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy
Communion: and be it further

Resolved, That these agreements form the basis for seeking altar
and pulpit fellowship with the ELCA and other churches partici-
pating in the dialogues.

Resurrection
Coronado, CA

3-51
To Study Fellowship Principles and Practices

Preambie

In August 1996, the President of the Southern District of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod participated in a wedding ser-
vice in Watertown, S. Dak., with a clergyman of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America. This action, contrary to the official
fellowship practice of the Missouri Synod, was also indicative of
more widespread activity in our Synod today.

LCMS people and their pastors do not always have a clear and
positive understanding of the basis and purpose of our Synod’s fel-
lowship posture. They are as a result often unwilling to act in ac-
cordance and are often unable to give a helpful answer when ques-
tioned by other Christians regarding this practice.

For the sake of better understanding, general harmony, and
more consistent practice in our Synod, the following resolution is
proposed.

WHEREAS, Significant differences in fellowship understanding
and practice are increasingly evident in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod today, at times also in the actions of its leaders,
and

Wuereas, This is in part due to a lack of understanding of why
we are who we are and why we do what we do as Missouri Synod
Lutherans; and

WHEREAS. These conditions in our Synod are disruptive of
peace and unity and provide a confusing witness within and with-
out our Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That this 60th convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod recognize that a growing problem exists among
our pastors and congregations regarding the understanding, appli-
cation, and practice of our Synod’s fellowship principles; and be it
further

Resolved, That this problem be boldly addressed by a Synod
wide study of the confessional nature of our church body (why we
are who we are) and a study of our fellowship principles and prac-
tices (why we do what we do) as Missouri Synod Lutherans; and be
it further

Resolved, That the President of our Synod in consultation with
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations be charged
with the responsibility for developing and promoting this study of
our Synod’s fellowship principles and practices during the coming
biennium; and be it further

Resolved, That this study be suitable for use by church workers
and laymen in lay/clergy conferences or Circuit forums in every
Circuit of our Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That pastors, congregations, and church leaders be re-
minded of our synodical commitment to walk together in compli-
ance with the decisions of our church body, faithfully making use
of our established procedures for dissent when taking issue with
agreed-upon principles and practices.

Board of Directors
South Dakota District

3-52

To Deal with Inter-Christian Relationships
Practice in Special Events

WHEREAS, Art. VI of the Constitution of Synod includes among
the conditions for membership there be “2. Renunciation of union-
ism and syncretism of every description, such as: ... b. Taking part
in the services and sacramental rites of heterodox congregations or
of congregations of mixed confession”; and

Wuereas, While the current policy of Synod is that this in-
cludes officiating in mixed wedding, funeral, and community wor-
ship events, in some situations pastors find themselves caught in
the tension between “walking together” in practice and the belief
that the Gospel would not only not be compromised but would be
better served by participation rather than noninvolvement; and

WHEREAS, There continues to be division within the Synod re-
garding the appropriate application of the unionism doctrine in such
areas as special joint worship activities sponsored jointly by groups
of churches not in fellowship with one another and intended for
Christians of more than one religious background (e.g., a commu-
nity Thanksgiving service), as well as ecumenical wedding services
and funerals; and

Wuereas, Both the Synod’s sister church, the Independent
Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK) of Germany, and the
Lutheran Church of Australia have seen fit to provide guidelines
allowing participation of their pastors in selected jointly conducted
wedding ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, The 1991 CTCR Inter-Christian Relationships study
supports the position that under certain circumstances participation
in joint worship events and ecumenical wedding services and fu-
nerals would be consistent with the Synod’s fellowship position
and the application of the truth, unity, and love principles involved;
and

Wuereas, Fidelity to God’s truth involves the avoidance of
both unionism and separatism, and complete agreement in confes-
sional doctrine and practice is not necessary for every inter-Chris-
tian or interdenominational activity; and

WHEREAS, The individual nature of such pastoral care situations
is best assessed by the person(s) most closely involved in consulta-
tion with others; therefore be it

Resolved, That involvement by Synod’s workers and congrega-
tions in such special events be considered appropriate when (a) the
Gospel is not compromised nor doctrinal unity implied; (b) the pur-