LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 50

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50 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

persons who have diligently sought the will of God in the
Scriptures; and be it further

Resolved, That The American Lutheran Church express
its conviction that the Scriptures do not teach that women
are forbidden to serve as ministers of Word and Sacrament
or that women are always to be subordinate to men, but
rather that men and women are to live and serve together
as full partners in all aspects of the gospel, as St. Paul says,
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one
in Christ Jesus,” (Gal.3:28); and be it further

Resolved, That The American Lutheran Church express
its willingness to continue to discuss this question in the
Commission on Fellowship and to engage in multi-level dis-
cussions as proposed by the Inter-Lutheran Consultation as
presented to the Jurisdictional Presidents in February 1971;
and be it further

Resolved, That The American Lutheran Church respect-
fully request The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to
continue to examine the Scriptures with all diligence as
we commit ourselves to continued study; and be it further

Resolved, That The American Lutheran Church express
its fervent hope that The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
fully implement its declaration of fellowship with The Amer-
ican Lutheran Church.

ADMINISTRATION
2-09

To Restructure Commission on Theology
and Church Relations

Wuereas, The CTCR was created to assist the President
of Synod and the Synod in the following ways:

a. Serve the members of Synod as a clearinghouse for all
matters relating to doctrinal unity in the Lutheran Church. It
shall work closely with the President of Synod.

b. Give guidance and advice in conducting institutes and
seminars on theological matters of interest and concern in the
Synod, and provide opportunities for theological study by pastors
and teachers in service

c. Consider and seek to adjust matters concerning which dif-
ferences of opinion have arisen in Synod and which have been
referred to it by the President and Vice-Presidents. The func-
tions of this commission shall be strictly advisory in this capac-
ity, along the line of brotherly effort in the interest of divine
truth.

d. Assist the President of Synod in representing the Synod
in official contacts with other churches and synods in the interest
of divine truth.

e. Assist the President in his official contact with all sister
churches of Synod by aiding, counseling, and advising them and
strengthening the relations with and between them. It may plan
conferences and meetings and the exchange of personnel to im-
plement the above.

f. Direct its activities toward preserving and strengthening
the doctrinal unity which our Synod enjoys with others and pro-
moting the cause of true doctrinal unity wherever possible.

g. Advise and prepare special studies in theological matters
both of an internal and external nature upon request of the
President of Synod, the synodical officers, executives, boards,
commissions, and committees.

h. Thoroughly study Bible translations and revisions and re-
port its findings to the synodical constituency.

i. Keep the constituency of Synod informed concerning its
activities and report to the synodical convention. [Reports and
Memorials, 45th convention of the LCMS, Cleveland, Ohio /20—
29 June, 1962,’p. 252];

and

Wuereas, God has blessed the Synod through the work
of the CTCR; and

Wuereas, The Synod has a continuing need for the ser-
vices rendered by the commission as the Synod studies and
investigates various theological and ecclesiastical issues; and

Wuereas, The Synod has been blessed with individuals
of theological and ecclesiastical expertise (e. g., pastors and
teachers serving on the faculties of the Synod’s colleges)
whose talents can be used effectively by the commission to
carry out its study and investigative responsibilities; and

Wuereas, The work of the commission would be expe-
dited by the more frequent and intensive involvement of
qualified individuals and groups of individuals within the

Synod as the commission carries out programs of research
on various issues needing study and reflection within the
Synod; and

Wuereas, Such a delegation of duties and responsibilities
would decrease the need for the present size of the commis-
sion; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations make frequent use of individuals and groups within
the Synod, such as the theological faculties of the Synod’s
colleges, in the commission’s study and research activities;
and be it further

Resolved, That synodical Handbook Policy 2.109 (“Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations”), section “a.
Membership,” be revised as follows:

2.109 Commission on Theology and Church
Relations

a. Membership. The Commission on Theology
and Church Relations shall consist of nine voting
members and one advisory member, to be selected
as follows:

1. Four professors of theology from the terminal
schools of the Synod —two of whom shall be pro-
fessors at the seminaries of the Synod and no
more than one professor from any given school —
shall be elected by the Synod in convention.

2. One District President of one of the Synod’s
Districts shall be elected by the Synod in conven-
tion.

3. Four members, according to the pattern of
one pastor, one teacher, and two laymen, shall be
elected by the Synod in convention.

4. The President of Synod shall be the advisory
member of the commission.

Facuity

Concorpia TEAcHERS CoLLEcE
Seward, Nebr.

W. Th. Janzow, President
James Nelesen, Secretary

2-10

To Ask Council of Presidents to Review
Bylaws on Doctrinal Review

Wuereas, The literary scholarship of our Synod is seri-
ously hampered by restrictive and prescriptive censorship;
and

Wuereas, Synod’s Handbook (1971 edition, Section F,
Articles 11.151 through 11.163 inclusive) allows for serious
conflict of interest in doctrinal review; therefore be it

Resolved, The Synod instruct the Council of Presidents
to review the aforementioned Articles and Bylaws; and be
it further

Resolved. That the Council of Presidents report to the
next synodical convention.

EASTERN REGIONAL PasTORAL CONFERENCE
ENGLISH DISTRICT
Bruce Lieske, Secretary

2-11
To Continue Editorial Board of CPH

Wuereas, That in the plans and future consideration of
operations of Concordia Publishing House thought may have
been given to eliminate the Editorial Board of CPH; and

Wuereas, The Editorial Board has proven its continued
worth and existence by virtue of its long history of meri-
torious service, thereby maintaining high standards of publi-
cation, and establishing and preserving the excellent repu-
tation of CPH: therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod direct Concordia Publishing House
to continue the Editorial Board indefinitely; and be it
further