LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 137

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
tor because it is contrary to Holy Scripture (Joint Statement of Agreement, TB, p. 173); and
WHEREAS, The President of the LCMS has expressed
support for this resolution and has asked the CTCR to address the declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship in keeping with Bylaw 13.03; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR received reports from the church
leaders who were involved in the doctrinal discussions between the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia and the
LCMS and has recommended that the LCMS declare altar
and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Latvia; therefore be it
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the goodness
and grace that he has shown to our brothers and sisters in
Christ in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
throughout its long history, preserving them steadfast in
their faith and confession; and be it further
Resolved, That we acknowledge with thanksgiving to
God the unity of confession that He has given to our church
bodies under the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS declare altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia;
and be it further
Resolved, That this declaration of fellowship does not acknowledge that those women who have been ordained are
recognized as ordained clergy who can serve in the capacity
of ordained clergy in The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS formally recognize the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia as a partner church and
that the President of the Synod be responsible to implement this relationship; and be it finally
Resolved, That we ask our gracious Lord to continue to
strengthen the bond of fellowship between our churches
and to deepen our common commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel for the life and salvation of many.
Action: Adopted as amended (2)
(After the resolution was amended by adding a new fourth resolve That this declaration of fellowship does not acknowledge
that those women who have been ordained are recognized as ordained clergy who can serve in the capacity of ordained clergy in
the LCMS, it was adopted as amended [yes: 1,023; no: 29]. The
Common Doxology was sung as the fellowship documents were
signed.)

To Reach Out Aggressively to Emerging
Lutheran Churches
RESOLUTION 3-06
Overture 3-05 (CW, p. 157)
WHEREAS, God has opened the door for us to serve
Lutheran brothers and sisters throughout the former Soviet Union, Central Europe, Africa, and elsewhere in various ways; and
WHEREAS, Increasingly we find agreement in doctrine
and practice with these fellow Lutherans; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct and encourage its President, in his role as its chief ecumenical officer, to pursue aggressively and vigorously all such opportunities for service; and be it further

137

Resolved, That he work to establish altar and pulpit fellowship with these church bodies as expeditiously as possible when agreement in doctrine and practice exists.
Action: Adopted as amended (3)
(An amendment to add the following as a new second resolve
failed: Resolved, That we commend the work of the Board for Mission Services and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the complementary work of organizations such as the
Lutheran Heritage Foundation and the Concordia Mission Society
in the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of
God’s Word as taught in the Lutheran Confessions. The resolution was amended to add the words when agreement in doctrine
and practice exists to the last resolve before it was adopted [yes:
1,037; no: 93].)

To Commend “The Lutheran
Understanding of Church Fellowship”
and CTCR Report on the Synodical
Discussions
RESOLUTION 3-07A
Report 3-01A (CW, pp. 48–51); Overtures 3-07–10,
3-12, 3-15–18, 3-21–23 (CW, pp. 157–63)
WHEREAS, The action of the 1998 convention called for a
study of fellowship principles and practices (Res. 3-03B) on
the nature of our church body (why we are who we are) and
our fellowship principles and practices (why we do what we
do); and
WHEREAS, The 1998 convention (Res. 3-10C) also called
for all 2000 District conventions to utilize the study to help
build a “better understanding, general harmony and more
consistent practice in our Synod”; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Synod and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations has jointly produced the document “The Lutheran Understanding of
Church Fellowship,” which is in harmony with Scripture
and the Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, Our District conventions utilized and studied
the document; and
WHEREAS, “A majority affirmed The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod position on church fellowship that it set
forth. They found it scriptural and confessional and wanted
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to maintain its historic position” (CTCR Report, CW, p. 49); and
WHEREAS, The CTCR has listened to the reactions from
the Synod and written a response (CW, pp. 48–51) in conjunction with the synodical President; therefore be it
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the work of the
sainted Reverend Dr. Alvin Barry and the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations in producing the document
“The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship” (CW,
pp. 375–87); and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the thousands
of pastors, commissioned ministers, and lay people who
have participated in the study and discussion of this document; and be it further
Resolved, That we rejoice and give thanks to God for the
unity of doctrine and practice that this study has demonstrated; and be it further
Resolved, That we commend this study and response for
continued use and guidance to build that unity where it is
still lacking; and be it further
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