LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 153

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for evangelism and mission, another for school chaplaincy, and a
fourth for school administration. The LCU’s educational ministry
is widely respected in Uruguay, and the LCU’s vision is to continue
that tradition of educational excellence and the evangelistic priorities of its school. Its long-term intention is to establish the first-ever
Lutheran university in Spanish-speaking Latin America.
The LCU formally requested fellowship with the LCMS in
December 2015. The LCU is in fellowship with the IELA and
IELB—both of which strongly urge the LCMS to recognize that fellowship exists with these brothers and sisters in Christ in Uruguay.
LCMS leaders have visited the LCU and examined its doctrine and
practice, its doctrinal statements, and its constitution, finding full
agreement with our own teaching and practice. Doctrinal discussions were conducted according to the provisions of Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2
(c). Following these visits and discussions, on December 11, 2015,
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) recommended recognition of fellowship with the LCU to President
Harrison. He formally declared fellowship on January 6, 2016.
Whereas, There is great need for the pure proclamation of the
Gospel in Uruguay, as there is throughout the world; and
Whereas, By God’s grace, the LCU believes, teaches, and confesses the saving Gospel of justification by grace through faith in
Christ alone and is fully committed to the sole authority of Holy
Scripture in the Church’s teaching and life; and
Whereas, By God’s grace, the LCU, though small, has established a strong, faithful ministry of outreach through its Lutheran
school and envisions a vigorous expansion of that educational
outreach through the establishment of a Lutheran university in
Uruguay; and
Whereas, The LCMS, in obedience to God’s Word and the
Lutheran Confessions, enjoys church fellowship with many other
Lutheran churches throughout the world and endeavors to seek
out other Lutheran churches that believe, teach, and confess the
same true faith; and
Whereas, The LCU has for some time enjoyed altar and pulpit fellowship with the IELA and the IELB, partner churches of
the LCMS; and
Whereas, The LCU was established as an independent
Lutheran church in 2004 and requested formal church fellowship
discussions with the LCMS; and
Whereas, Representatives of the LCMS visited the LCU and
witnessed its work and examined its teaching; and
Whereas, After this visit, correspondence, and further consideration, LCMS representatives concluded that there is complete
agreement between our two churches in doctrine and practice and
therefore no obstacle to altar and pulpit fellowship; and
Whereas, At its 2010 convention, the Synod adopted Res.
3-04A “To Amend Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 re Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with Small, Formative, or Emerging Confessional Churches,”
which recognizes that in certain cases a streamlined approach to
altar and pulpit fellowship with such emerging churches would be
beneficial; and

“5. Theology and Church Relations”

Whereas, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c) now provides:
When a small, formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified as such by the President of the
Synod as chief ecumenical officer) requests recognition of
altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission,
such recognition may be declared by the President of the
Synod subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod
convention.
and
Whereas, At its December 2015 meeting, the CTCR formally
recommended church fellowship with the LCU to the Synod President; and
Whereas, President Harrison declared fellowship on January
6, 2016, after consultation with the Praesidium; and
Whereas, Necessary protocol documents guiding interactions
between the LCMS and the LCU have been adopted; therefore be it
Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to the LCMS and the LCU under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks that God has equipped and prepared the LCU to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in
Uruguay; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks to God that discussions between
official representatives of the LCMS and the LCU have revealed
that complete agreement exists between our two churches in doctrine and practice; and be it further
Resolved, That this convention endorse the President of Synod’s
declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCMS and
the LCU; and be it further
Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years
on our agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as
partner churches, and for the blessing of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the LCU; and be it finally
Resolved, That in celebration and thanksgiving of this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly signify its approval by
rising and singing the Common Doxology.
Action: Adopted (3)
(Res. 5-02 was adopted without discussion by voice vote
[announced unanimous by the chair].)

To Recognize Iglesia Luterana en Guatemala
as a Self-Governing Partner Church
RESOLUTION 5-03
Overture 5-03 (CW, p. 343)
Whereas, In 1986, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) Board for Mission Services (BFMS) for all intents and purU P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

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