LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 49

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 49

Office of the Ministry” — Dr. Duane Priebe (guest con-
sultant).

8. “Brief Response to Dr. Knutson’s Statement on Scrip-
ture” —- Dr. Richard J. Schultz.

In the meeting of Jan. 19, 1973, the ALC commissioners
reported on the response of the Oct. 1972 convention of the
ALC to the request of the LCMS that it reconsider its de-
cision to permit the ordination of women to the pastoral
office. (Note: The 1972 convention resolution of the ALC
is appended to this report.) It was also reported that the
1972 resolution of the ALC is to be understood as a strong
reaffirmation of their position on the ordination of women.
The ALC commissioners also expressed their church’s con-
tinuing love for the LCMS and emphasized that the ALC
is willing to continue to discuss the issues which cause
friction.

The matter of the ordination of women had been com-
mended to the faculties of the three ALC seminaries by the
Church Council prior to the convention. The opinions sub-
mitted by the faculties reiterated the view that the ordina-
tion of women to the pastoral office is not forbidden by Scrip-
ture, but is a matter of freedom and administrative decision
for each church body. These opinions of the ALC seminary
faculties were an important factor in the decision of the
1972 ALC convention. The seminaries’ opinions were first
shared with the Commission on Fellowship after the ALC
convention; it is hoped that the April 1973 meeting of the
commission will be able to devote some time to them,

The ALC commissioners stressed that the ALC is willing
to engage in multilevel discussions of theological issues ac-
cording to the proposal of the Inter-Lutheran Consultation
held in Detroit in 1971. In order to facilitate multilevel dis-
cussions between members of the two synods, a committee
composed of Dr. William Weiblen and Dr. Ralph Bohlmann
was appointed. The problem of giving leadership to multi-
level study of important theological issues remains a vital
but difficult problem. There has been considerable discus-
sion between the two church bodies at a number of levels,
although such study has not been formally organized and
specifically promoted. It is not possible to list all such
activities or to evaluate their results. The interest level for
such discussions has varied and fluctuated in various parts of
both churches. Formal discussions in this commission, in
the Consultation on Lutheran Unity, and in the Division of
Theological Studies of LCUSA have covered a wide range
of topics.

Reports of the meetings of the Commission on Fellowship
were made periodically to both the Council of Presidents
and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.

Recognizing that the results of another meeting of the
Commission on Fellowship scheduled prior to the 1973 con-
vention of the LCMS may necessitate our supplying the
convention with additional information or suggestions, the
Commission on Fellowship joins the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations in recommending:

That the Synod

a. Extend its deepest sympathy and the comfort of the
Gospel to the Knutson family and to the American Lutheran
Church at the tragic death of President Kent Knutson.

b. Express its appreciation for every evidence of growth
in the understanding and practice of fellowship in both the
LCMS and the ALC.

c. State its deep regret that 4 years of discussions in the
Commission on Fellowship have not produced evidence that
“serious differences in the doctrine of the authority of Scrip-
ture” (1971 Res. 3-21, Fourth “Whereas”) have been re-
solved, or that our two church bodies have achieved a com-
mon understanding “on what fellowship involves” (Res.
3-21, Third “Whereas”).

d. Register its deep concern over the 1972 decision of the
ALC to abide by its 1970 resolution to permit the ordination
of women to the pastoral office.

e. Instruct its representatives on the Commission on Fel-
lowship to intensify their efforts (1) to reach agreement at
the denominational level on the matter of ordaining women
to the pastoral office: (2) to achieve and demonstrate a
broadly based. multilevel consensus in the doctrine of the
authority of Holy Scripture and the basis and nature of
fellowship; (3) to arrive at a common position and practice

on other matters which have been referred to the Commis-
sion on Fellowship, such as the lodge question and mem-
bership in ecumenical organizations.

f. Continue to advise its “pastors. congregations, boards,
and commissions, because of doctrinal concerns still remain-
ing between the two church bodies, to defer new imple-
mentation of fellowship with the American Lutheran
Church” (1971 Res. 3-21, last “Resolved") until our Synod’s
concerns are resolved.

g. Implore the blessings and guidance of the Holy Spirit
upon the discussions between our two church bodies to the
end that our fellowship may be deepened and strengthened.

Respectfully submitted,

LCMS REpRESENTATIVES

ON THE COMMISSION ON FELLOWSHIP
Ralph A. Bohlmann

APPENDIX

Resolution Adopted by the October 1972 Convention
of the ALC on Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with LCMS

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church has rejoiced
greatly in the declared fellowship with The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod and has endeavored to implement this
fellowship fully with the congregations of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod: and

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church has participated
in a Commission on Fellowship in order to assist in the de-
velopment and growth of this declared fellowship; and

Wuereas, Many congregations in The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod have rejoiced with us and have participated
in the blessings of fellowship with the congregations of
the American Lutheran Church; and

Wuereas, Some congregations in The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod have had difficulty with the declared fellow-
ship of their synod and have chosen not to implement this
declaration; and

Wuereas, The 1971 convention of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod raised questions concerning the decision of
The American Lutheran Church to permit the ordination of
women into the ministry of Word and sacrament and re-
quested The American Lutheran Church to give serious re-
consideration to its decision to ordain women and not to
implement further its resolution to ordain women; and

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church stated its basic
position regarding this and related questions in “Fellowship
with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod-Guidelines
for Development” and participated in lengthy discussion
with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in the Com-
mission on Fellowship; and

Wuereas, The American Lutheran Church has restudied
the question of ordination of women in the three theological
faculties of the American Lutheran Church with the unani-
mous conclusion that the Scriptures do not forbid this prac-
tice and that differences in practice between churches on
this question should not be divisive of fellowship; be it
therefore

Resolved. That the American Lutheran Church express
its gratefulness to God for the blessings of the fellowship in
which many congregations have participated; and be it
further

Resolved, That The American Lutheran Church express
its regret that such deep concern has been caused in The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod by the decision to or-
dain women: and be it further

Resolved, That The American Lutheran Church call to
the attention of our brethren in The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod the repeated affirmation that The American
Lutheran Church believes that its life, practice, and confes-
sions concerning the authority of Scripture are faithful to
the Lutheran Confessions and that it has not changed its
position since the consultations with The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod which found us in agreement; and be it
further

Resolved. That The American Lutheran Church express
its regret that the varying interpretations of the Scripture
teaching on this question have not been resolved by earnest