LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 181

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 181

3-71
To Continue Dialogue with Other Christians

Rationale

In the Nicene Creed we confess to be a part of the one holy,
Christian and apostolic church. The apostle Paul wrote in Eph. 4:3
that there is one body, one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God
and Father of all. In recent years many Christians have taken dra-
matic steps to study together and work out differences that had di-
vided them. In light of these occurrences the LCMS has chosen to
remain apart from these discussions and has not benefited from the
blessings that have resulted; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention resolve to be involved
in all dialogues with other Christians in the world, as well as con-
tinuing discussions with the ELCA.

Abiding Savior
Lake Forest, CA

3-72

To Support Lutheran/Roman Catholic
Ecumenical Efforts

WuerEAS, Christ our Lord prays for the complete unity of His
holy church (John 17) and God’s Word urges His people to “be of
one mind” (1 Cor. 1:10), “to Jove truth and peace” (Zech. 8:19),
and to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); and

WHEREAS, Our theologians have expressed some measure of ap-
preciation for the ecumenical concern, the good will, and the tire-
less efforts to communicate clearly on the part of Lutheran and
Roman Catholic dialogue the partners in the process leading to the
“Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification” (Joint Declara-
tion) (see “The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
in Confessional Perspective’’); and

Wrereas, The President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, in publicly assessing the Joint Declaration as “a woefully
inadequate and misleading document,” also imputed questionable
motives to the Roman Catholic representatives (“It is an opportu-
nity for Rome to appear ecumenical”) and charged Lutheran sig-
natories with having “sacrificed God’s truth on the altar of unity”
and with a conscious act of disloyalty to Christ (“a betrayal of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ’”’); therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District ask The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod in convention to applaud and endorse the effort of
Lutheran and Roman Catholic Christians to affirm that unity which
does exist, and to work for further unity of teaching in accordance
with sacred Scripture; and be it further

Resolved, That the English District ask The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod in convention to urge our leaders to redouble their
efforts not only to speak the truth, but also to do so in love, dis-
couraging those who would put the worst construction on the ac-
tions and motivations of those with whom we disagree in matters of
teaching and doctrine.

English District

3-73

To Facilitate Broad Efforts toward True
Reconciliation between Church Bodies

WHEREAS, The divided state of Christendom continues to im-
pede the Gospel mission of the church; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS throughout history has demonstrated its
desire to address the doctrinal differences that separate us from
other Christian church bodies; and

WHEREAS, Many synodical congregations and agencies have
found that they can work cooperatively with congregations and
agencies of other church bodies without compromising our doctri-
nal confession; and

WHEREAS, The President of the LCMS, in a large advertisement
appearing in December 1999 in a number of metropolitan newspa-
pers as well as USA Today, has publicly pledged that the LCMS
wants to work “Toward True Reconciliation” with other Christian
church bodies; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its officers, boards, Dis-
tricts, seminaries and universities, agencies, and especially its pas-
tors and congregations to work cooperatively with their counter-
parts in other Christian church bodies and to engage them in
fraternal theological conversations whenever possible, to the end
that such effort will, with God’s blessings, promote true reconcili-
ation among Christians; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR, in consultation with the Council of
Presidents, make available at an early date materials and sugges-
tions that facilitate the process.

Concordia
Kirkwood, MO

3-74

To Formulate 21st Century Formula of Concord

WHEREAS, Most of the world Lutherans are in the Lutheran
World Federation, which has now signed a statement on justifica-
tion with the Roman Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has not
signed this “Joint Declaration on Justification”; and

WHEREAS, There are faithful] Christians in many churches
throughout the world who are greatly concerned about the theolog-
ical liberalism that has infiltrated their denominations and who are
looking for a church body that affirms historic Christianity and re-
jects theological liberalism; and

WuereasS, Dr. C. F. W. Walther with his Der Lutheraner sought
to reach and unite faithful Christians; and

Wuereas, The LCMS still has far more to offer than any other
major denomination and, unlike smaller confessional churches, has
the means to reach millions throughout the world; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS encourage the
Praesidium of the LCMS to invite confessional theologians
throughout the world to formulate and sign a 21st-century Formula
of Concord; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention encourage the entire LCMS to
work for a 2] st-century Reformation.

Trinity, New Haven, MO; Immanuel, Clovis, NM;
Redeemer, John Day, OR

3-75
To Affirm LCMS Position re LWF Membership

WHEREAS, The Lutheran World Federation continues to en-
courage and promote doctrines and practices contrary to the Holy
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, Not all members of the LWF agree with this direc-
tion being pursued; and

WHEREAS, The LWF works very hard to resist the influence of
genuine Lutheranism in many of its member churches; therefore be
it

Resolved, That the President of the Synod continue to work with
officials and members of the LWF to point out their errors and re-
mind them of their call to faithfulness to the Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod offi-
cially reject the false theology of the Lutheran World Federation
and use all means necessary to continue to warn and speak out
against this theology in both public media and in direct contacts
with Lutheran churches worldwide.

Lamb of God
Pleasant Prairie, WI

2001 Convention Workbook