LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 55

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 25

mission shall relay the information to the appropriate Dis-
trict President.

C. To protect the interests of dissenters by making a
judgment whether the dissenting views may conceivably be
capable of Scriptural validation, and if so, specify the condi-
tions under which they may be disseminated. If there ap-
pears to be no merit to the dissenting positions. those in-
volved shall be given the reasons and requested to refrain
from publicizing their views. Such a negative ruling will
be shared with the presidium which will in turn give the
matter whatever publicity may serve the unity of our faith.

D. To determine whether the conditions it imposed on
the propagation of dissenting views are being met or whether
dissenters are becoming dissidents who create dissension,
rather than stimulators of Spirit-guided thought and dis-
cussion.

E. To preserve unity by requesting the presidium to take
appropriate action when it becomes apparent that a party
spirit is being fostered by dissident activity and that factions
threaten to form. Action by the presidium may include:

1. Identifying in official publications the nature of opposi-
tion views and or loveless activity by dissidents:

2. Requesting the CTCR to demonstrate the Scriptural
errors of dissidents:

3. Requesting District officials and or boards of control
to take prompt disciplinary action against those creating di-
visions.

F. To place uncooperating dissidents under temporary
suspension or dismissal from tre Synod if the commission is
not satisfied that suitable progress is being made with dis-
sidents and if the presidium concurs. Such action shall not
involve forfeiture of equity in funds, but shall terminate all
synodical support and such other rights and privileges as
may be appropriate under the circumstances and as de-
termined by the Commission on Dissent: and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Dissent be appointed
by the President of the Synod and that it consist of five
men who are not on the synodical payroll and who hold no
other synodical office. They shall serve 5-year staggered

terms. Hope LUTHERAN CHURCH

San Leandro. Calif.
Caroline Uhlig. Secretary

2-24

To Canvass Synod Membership

Wuereas. It is apparent that the membership of Synod
(congregations, pastors, parish teachers) is theologically di-
vided: and

Wuereas. It is not possible under such circumstances to
earry on the work of the Lord effectively and joyously;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the presidium of Synod be directed to
conduct a canvass of Synod’s membership to ascertain which
members choose to continue to adhere to Synod’s confession
in Article II of its Constitution as well as to its understand-
ing thereof as this is expressed in svnodical resolutions: and
be it further

Resolved. That each member respond in writing on a form
to be provided by the presidium: and be it further

Resolved. That said canvass include all individuals who
are in any way emploved. elected. or appointed to an official
position in the Synod and in its Districts: and be it further

Resolved. That all who choose to pursue another theology
than that which is Synod's historic confession be advised
by the President of Synod, who will do so in the name of
Synod, that their membership in Synod is cancelled: and
be it further

Resolved. That all who fail to respond he given a second
chance to do so and that failure to respond be interpreted as
a decision to follow another theology. in which case their
membership, too. shall be cancelled: and be it finally

Resolved, That Synod be advised either through its offi-
cial publications or by special communication of the results

of said canvass. Trinity LUTHERAN CHURCH

New Haven, Mo.
Larry Scheer. Secretary

2-25

To Take Heed to Ourselves

Wuereas. For 125 years the LCMS has dedicated itself
to teaching God's Word according to Article IT of the synod-
ical Constitution: and

Wuereas. The President of Synod has asked for the
preaching and teaching of the Holy Scriptures: and

Wuereas. The Synod’s President has not been obeyed by
all (Heb. 13:17): and

Wuereas. All Christians have gifts and with them must,
with God's help, come in the unity of faith (Eph. 4: 11-15) ;
therefore be it

Resolved. That we take heed to ourselves and to doc-
trine (1 Tim. 4:12-16 and 2 Tim. 3:16); and be it further

Resolved. That if we cannot accept the Scriptures of the
Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and
the only rule and norm of faith and of practice (written
Word of God to mean specifically that it is unadulterated.
inspired, historically factual, and not to be interpreted by
man, 2 Peter 1:20-21), we must therefore relinquish any
and all connection as a called worker with The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod: and be it finally

Resolved. That the above judgment must be made on the
basis of 1 Timothy 4:12 (an example of the believers in
word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in

purity). Tue LUTHERAN CHURCH OF Our SAVIOR

San Jose. Calif.
Paul Noostra. President
Richard Husman, Secretary

2-26

To Resolve Theological Differences

Wuereas. Many of the differences that disturb our Synod
have been present for years among US and have generated
vigorous and useful theological discussion in our synodical
District, pastoral circuits. and in some cases within local con-
gregations: and

WuerEas. Some of these differences have been intensified
and have been used to polarize the Synod: and

Wuereas. These differences will surely widen into di-
visions so long aS We air them only at a distance, or behind
one another's backs, or through hostile publications; and

Wuereas. The very Scripture and Confessions which have
united us will instead rend us if we use them merely to dig-
nify one interpretation of them at the expense of another,
with each new partisan document gradually replacing the
original sources themselves: and

Wuereas. The New Testament letters are very explicit
about the high priority for maintaining peace and harmony
even among and between the most diverse of Christian
groups. for avoiding quarreling and dissension, for respect-
ine and encouraging each other's unique talents (cf. Titus,
etc.); and

Wuereas, In some instances there has been a lack of
clarity of the procedure in resolving these differences, lead-
ing some erroneously to turn, e. g.. to the CTCR. which con-
trary to its function to serve as a medium to discuss and
to lead in the discussion of doctrinal differences, acceded
to such requests and rendered judgments on doctrinal state-
ments: and

WHEREAS. Although some useful steps have been taken,
we have seldom engaged in face-to-face discussion of the
differences which are dividing us: and

Wuereas. It appears evident that there is a need for a
procedure to deal with our diversities that will differ from
our past attempts, if we are to resolve our problems; there-
fore be it

Resolved. That we seck to determine how widespread
the differences are within the Synod and that we acknowl-
edge such differences wherever they exist: and be it further

Resolved. That in love for one another we submit our
differences to the one Word of God, opening our Scriptures