LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 37

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 37

for theological opinions. The commission is therefore in the
process of preparing a document on the Lutheran stance toward
ecumenism which will explicate the Synod’s position on ques-
tions pertaining to inter-church activities. This document will
incorporate the commission's “more detailed set of guidelines”
requested by the 1971 synodical convention (Res. 3-10) as well
as its interpretation of references to “unionism” in Article VI of
the synodical Constitution (in response to an overture from the
English District referred to the Commission by 1971 Res. 2-16).
The commission hopes to release this document early in the
next biennium.

III. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

A. Repository Function

The statement of commission functions adopted by the 1971
synodical convention (Res. 2-29) provides that the commission
shall provide ‘a repository for theological treatises, conference
papers, and similar documents and studies.” The intention of
the committee who recommended the inclusion of this function
was that the commission would receive copies of such essays and
papers for possible use in its work or for referral to others who
might have an interest in such areas. However, the wording of
this function appears to be in conflict with responsibilities al-
ready assigned to the Concordia Historical Institute. The
commission recommends:

22. That the Synod eliminate the epository function from the
list of the commission's responsibilities in the synodical Hand-
book, and request Concordia Historical Institute to keep the
commission informed of important theological treatises. con-
ference papers. and similar documents and studies that might
be useful for the work of the commission.

B. Commission on Social Concerns

After a number of consultations between representatives
of the CTCR and the Commission on Social Concerns, the Com-
mission on Social Concerns has requested a closer working
relationship with the CTCR. Because such a relationship would
be mutually beneficial to both commissions, the commission
endorsed the request of the Commission on Social Concerns and
referred it to the Committee on Organization for reeommenda-
tion to the Synod.

C. Continuing Education

Because of the press of time, the 1971 synodical convention
did not take explicit action on the commission’s report and
recommendations pertaining to continuing education. The com-
mission therefore calls the Synod’s attention to its report on this
matter in the 1971 convention Workbook (p. 37). During the
coming biennium, the commission hopes to develop more effec-
tive means of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities in
this area. The commission again recommends:

23. That the Synod request the synodical President. in con-
sultation with the Council of Presidents. to provide for the
coordination of the continuing theological education programs
carried out by the commission and other agencies and institutions
of the Synod.

D. Executive Tenure

The present Bylaws of the Synod provide that the Executive
Secretary of the commission shall serve for a period not ex-
ceeding 2 years, and also provide that the appointment may be
renewed. The Board of Directors has also established a 2-year
term for the presently unfilled position of Assistant Executive
Secretary. The commission is of the opinion that both the quan-
tity and the sensitivity of its work require that its executives
ordinarily continue in their positions for a longer period of time
than 2 years. The commission believes that its work and the
interests of the church would benefit from having its executives
serve under the same provisions for renewable 4-year terms as
apply to other synodical executives (cf. Bylaw 2.11). The commis-
sion therefore recommends:

24. That the Synod establish renewable 4-year terms of office
for the Executive Secretary and Assistant Executive Secretary
of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. and that
the Commission on Constitutional Matters be requested to make
the necessary changes in the synodical Bylaws.

E. Bible Versions Committee

The Bible Versions Committee. which carries on its work
under the aegis of the commission. has as its purpose to help the
church deal responsibly regarding the nature and use of English
Bible versions. Members of this committee are Drs. Martin
Scharlemann, Walter Roehrs, Walter Maier, and Erich Kiehl.
During the past biennium, this committee has been in contact
with various groups working on new translations of the Bible.
The committee has also begun to reevaluate its purpose and
function in light of the Synod's present needs in this area.

F. Exchange Study Committee

The Exchange Study Committee. begun in 1954 and incor-
porated into the structure of the CTCR in 1962. has continued
to arrange academic programs between the Synod and its sister
churches in various parts of the world. The complete report
of this committee is appended to these minutes as Appendix J.
The commission recommends:

25. That the Synod encourage the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations to develop and expand the exchange study
program as an important means of contributing to the theological
growth and enrichment of the church bodies involved.

G. District Committees

Some Districts have established a committee on theology
to study important theological questions confronting the District
and as a means for encouraging theological study at the district
level. The commission believes that such committees offer con-
siderable promise for the theological well-being of the Synod.
The commission is currently developing policies and procedures
for maintaining appropriate liaison between such District com-
mittees and the commission on the pattern of existing Synod-
District relationships for other boards or commissions.

H. CTCR Materials

During the past biennium, the commission has continued
to receive a large number of orders for its documents. These
orders are now being filled by Concordia Publishing House.
A complete list of documents produced by the commission avail-
able through Concordia Publishing House is attached to this
report as Appendix K.

A Concluding Word

These are indeed troublesome times for The Lutheran
Church -— Missouri Synod. Our current doctrinal tensions involve
important aspects of the Christian faith: they are not merely
theologians’ quarrels. Moreover, our Synod’s commitment to
doctrinal integrity is being tested in some of our ecumenical
involvements.

These are also challenging times for our Synod. We need the
willingness to prize God's truth, centering in the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, above all blessings—including ecclesiastical
stability and peace. At the same time, we need to develop more
effective ways of sharing Jesus Christ with our complex modern
world. Both to preserve and to share God's truth. the bitterness
and hostility of our flesh must give way to the patience and
gentleness of God's Spirit. Perhaps our greatest challenge is
to trust that God will actually give us what He has promised
in Jesus Christ — forgiveness for our sins, peace for our lives, and
power for our tasks. His grace is sufficient for us, and for our
world.

COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Theodore F. Nickel, Chairman
Norbert H. Mueller, Secretary

APPENDIX A

Woman Suffrage

Shortly before the Denver convention in 1969 the CTCR
published a study document entitled, Woman Suffrage in the
Church.

The Denver convention of the LCMS adopted Res. 2-17 | Pro-
ceedings pp. 88—89) which accepts the CTCR’s findings, which
declare among other things:

We find nothing in Scripture which prohibits women from exer-

cising the franchise in voters’ assemblies... .