LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 44

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44 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Article V1

The standard or orthodoxy to which the members of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod subscribe is stated in its
Constitution. Article II. to wit:

The Synod. and every member of the Synod, accepts with-
out reservation:

1. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the
written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith
and of practice:

2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church as a true and unadulterated statement and
exposition of the Word of God.

The heterodox, therefore, are those who hold theological
Opinions not in accord with our acknowledged standard. Al-
though we do not judge that they are outside of the pale of the
Christian church if they cling in faith to Jesus Christ as the Son
of God and their Savior from sin and death, we nevertheless
acknowledge that they differ from us in one or more articies of
faith.

Application to Lutheran/Non-Lutheran Marriage Ceremonies

The following points deserve serious consideration:

1. A marriage ceremony conducted under the auspices of a
congregation is not only a civil ceremony but also a minor ser-
vice of worship.

2. A marriage ceremony conducted under the auspices of a
congregation should be governed by the same principles and
rules which govern its regular worship services.

3. The same Principles which govern the pastor’s participa-
tion in inter-denominational worship services should govern his
practice with respect to marriage worship services.

4. Pastors. by virtue of their position as overseers of the
flock, (Acts 20:28) have the responsibility not only to equip the
saints for their service ‘Eph. 4:11-12), but also to avoid giving
offense by their conduct (Matt. 18:6). In addition, they function
as representatives of their congregations.

Recommendations of the CTCR

1. That we reaffirm the validity of Article VI of the Constitu-
tion of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: and

2. That we encourage our pastors and congregations to fol-
low this article in their practice, with particular reference to
Article VI 2 b: and

3. That we concur with Point five of the guidelines for
Ecumenical Marriage Ceremonies of the Council of Presidents
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, dated Feb. 18, 1971,
which states that “participation should not be as co-officiant,
worship leader, or celebrant, but should be arranged in such
a way that it is not an official part of the worship service, nor a
sharing of the solemnizing or celebrating of the marriage.”’ It is
self-evident that Pastors ought to avoid Participating or function-

‘Adopted by the CTCR. March 27. 1973)

APPENDIX I
Selective Fellowship Resolutions

1971 Resolution 3-11 (Proceedings, pp. 132 — 133)

WHEREAS. There is a continued concern in the matter of selective
fellowship: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod request, through its President, the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations, the Commission on Mission

recommendations to the 1973 convention regarding such fellowship: and
be it further

Resolved. That in the interim we reaffirm Res. 3-18 of the Denver
convention regarding selective fellowship (1969 Proceedings. p. 101).
1969 Resolution 3-18 (Proceedings, p. 101)

WHEREAS, The members of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
have voluntarily united in a fraternal agreement to determine fellowship

relations with other church bodies or congregations, not individually but
through convention action (Handbook 1.21); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has urged all its members to refrain from
exercising local congregational option in regard to fellowship (cf. 1967
Convention Proceedings, Res. 2-18, p. 92); and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations is
Presently preparing a report of its study of all aspects of interchurch
relations: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod urge all its members to honor their fraternal
agreement with all members of the Synod by refraining from practicing
altar and pulpit fellowship with congregations of church bodies with
whom the Synod has not yet declared fellowship.

1967 Resolution 2-18 (Proceedings, p. 92)

A. WHEREAS, On the one hand, the congregations and members
of the Synod join in renouncing unionism and syncretism of every
description, such as:

a. Serving congregations of mixed confession, as such, by min-
isters of the church:

b. Taking part in the services and sacramental rites of heterodox
congregations or of congregations of mixed confession. (Constitution

of The Lutheran Church ~ Missouri Synod, Article VI 2 a, b);
therefore be it

Resolved. That we refrain from selective pulpit fellowship with
“heterodox congregations or . . . congregations of mixed confession,” and

B. WHEREAS, On the other hand, all congregations and members of
the Synod have voluntarily united for “the conservation and promotion
of the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6: 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense
against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)” (op. cit., Article II 1); and

WHEREAS, Efforts are accordingly now being made within Luther-
anism to enter into fellowship on the basis of Scripture and the Confes-
sions, and this fellowship ought not be endangered by anticipating it: and

WHEREAS, The Practice of selective pulpit fellowship would create
problems and disharmony in the Synod: therefore be it

Resolved. That we respectfully urge members of the Synod to refrain
from selective pulpit fellowship with Lutherans not in fellowship with us.

1967 Resolution 2-19 (Proceedings, p. 93)

WHEREAS, Clarification regarding the administration and reception
of Holy Communion has been requested with particular reference to
Lutherans of other synods not now in fellowship with us: and

WHEREAS, The Principle of “close Communion” requires that only
those who are in altar fellowship celebrate and partake of the Lord’s
Supper with each other: and

WHEREAS, The celebration and reception of Holy Communion not
only implies but is a confession of the unity of faith: therefore be it

Resolred. That pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases

of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those Lutheran synods
which are now in fellowship with us.

1965 Resolution 2-16 (Proceedings, pp. 97 —98)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod has a well-
established policy on joint worship services on the basis of the Holy
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions (cf. Proceedings. 1941, p. 303);
therefore be it

Resolved. That no Joint worship services be held with those with
whom we have not established pulpit and altar fellowship: and be it
further

APPENDIX J

Report of the Exchange Study Committee

The Exchange Study Committee has continued to function
as part of the structure of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations and has been able to make exchange study
and teaching Programs financially possible to members of the
Synod and sister churches in various parts of the world. The
program involves exchange of students, pastors, and professors
for theological study and teaching. Over the past 19 years of its
existence the program has been instrumental in fostering better
understanding between Lutheran church bodies and their
schools of theology as well as contributing to common theological
growth. The committee Operates with a set of criteria adopted