LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 120

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120

RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The AALC and the LCMS in 2005 agreed to
begin formal doctrinal discussions aimed at the establishment of altar and pulpit fellowship; and
WHEREAS, Formal theological discussions between representatives of the AALC and the LCMS have revealed that
agreement in doctrine and practice exists between our
churches; and
WHEREAS, Our partner churches in the International
Lutheran Council have had the opportunity to meet with
the presiding pastor of the AALC at the International
Lutheran Council meeting in Berlin, Germany, August
27–September 2, 2005; and
WHEREAS, This proposal has been shared with the partner churches of the LCMS, their input has been requested,
and respondents have expressed their approval of the
LCMS declaring church fellowship with the AALC; and
WHEREAS, The AALC has expressed a desire to join together with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in
bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel upon the basis
of the inerrant Scriptures; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Synod has expressed
support for this resolution and has asked the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to address the
declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship in keeping with
Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 (b); and
WHEREAS, The CTCR has received comprehensive reports on these discussions and, in accordance with its bylaw
responsibilities, has recommended the establishment of
altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCMS and the
AALC; therefore be it
Resolved, That we give thanks and praise to God for the
faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in The American
Association of Lutheran Churches to the Holy Scriptures
and to Lutheran confessional theology and for their faithful
witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude to God
the unity of confession that He has given to our churches
under the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions;
and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
formally declare altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Association of Lutheran Churches; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS recognize The American Association of Lutheran Churches as a partner church and
that the President of the Synod be responsible for implementing this relationship and for reconciliation; and be it
further
Resolved, That we implore the Lord of the Church to
continue to strengthen the bond of fellowship between our
churches and that, ablaze with His Spirit, we may together
be renewed in our commitment to the proclamation of the
Gospel of Christ to all the world; and be it finally
Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution we
rise to sing the Common Doxology to the glory of God.
Action: Adopted (3)
(During extensive discussion, the following amendment to replace the second-last resolve with the following two resolves was
not adopted: Resolved, That the LCMS request the American Association of Lutheran Churches to make known publicly its positions with respect to Christians having membership in secret soci-

2007 Convention Proceedings

eties such as lodges and to Christians participating with heterodox
congregations in worship; and be it further Resolved, That pastors of Missouri Synod congregations may exercise pastoral care
with respect to altar and pulpit fellowship in the extraordinary
circumstances of having a nearby AALC congregation that allows
membership in secret societies such as lodges or that publicly worships with heterodox congregations. An amendment to add the
words and for reconciliation after the word relationship in the
fourth resolve was adopted. The resolution was adopted as
amended [Yes: 846; No: 345], after which the assembly stood to
sing the Common Doxology to the glory of God.)

To Encourage Confessional Study
in Preparation for 2017
RESOLUTION 3-02
Report 1-8, Part II (TB, pp. 14–25); Overtures 3-02,
3-04–05, 3-13, 3-29 (CW, pp. 147–149, 151, 156)
WHEREAS, The basic mission of the Christian Church is
to preach and teach the Gospel in its truth and purity; and
WHEREAS, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod commits us to the “Symbolical Books of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated
statement and exposition of the Word of God”; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions uniquely define
our walk together, thereby forming a foundation for unity
and trust; and
WHEREAS, It is not too soon to begin preparing for the
worldwide celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the
Reformation in 2017; therefore be it
Resolved, That in preparation for the celebration of this
anniversary, the congregations and the called workers of
the Synod be encouraged to conduct in-depth examination
and study of the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran Confessions; and be it further
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations, in consultation with the International Lutheran
Council, be directed to coordinate the preparation of study
resources on the aforementioned documents; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod President be directed to support and encourage this renewal in the study of the
Lutheran Confessions through the official periodicals of the
Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That these resources be made available for
widespread use in order to enhance the worldwide confessional celebration of this historic anniversary.
Action: Adopted (5)
(The resolution was adopted as presented by the committee
without debate [Yes: 1,093; No: 38].)

To Request the CTCR to Develop a Plan
for Confessional Leadership
RESOLUTION 3-03
Report 3-01, I, B, 2 (CW, p. 65); Overtures 2-24,
3-102–103 (CW, pp. 146, 187)
WHEREAS, The LCMS has been richly blessed with theological resources including two outstanding seminaries and
a rich heritage and history of being confessionally strong;
and