Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 59
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 59

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 59

Wuereas, The Lutheran church has resisted these at-
tempts by setting forth its Biblical position over against new
errors, not only by appealing to the Holy Scripture and its
Confessions, but by producing “other good. useful, pure
books” and materials for its clergy and laity: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod thank those responsible for the
“useful” document known as the Confessional Principles, and
be it finally

Resolved, That doctrinal supervisors throughout Synod
use this material in addition to the formally accepted norms
in determining and dealing with departures from Scriptural

doctrine. Our REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

Houston, Tex.
Bill Dreyer, Secretary

2-36

To Endorse “A Statement of Scriptural
and Confessional Principles”

Wuereas, A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional
Principles issued by President J. A. O. Preus is thoroughly
grounded in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confes-
sions: and

Wuereas, A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional
Principles is simply a restatement of the position long held
by the LCMS, and

Wuereas, A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional
Principles has been endorsed by Synod’s Commission on
Theology and Church Relations: and

Wuereas, A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional
Principles speaks particularly to the doctrinal issues trou-
bling the church today: and

Wuereas, Although President J. A. O. Preus did not offer
A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles as a
new standard of orthodoxy. the church has the privilege and
responsibility to recognize and support true Scriptural doc-
trine; therefore be it

Resolved. That the LCMS endorse A Statement of Scrip-
tural and Confessional Principles as a correct and truly
Lutheran exposition of the Holy Scriptures, and be it
further

Resolved, That the LCMS declare that A Statement of
Scriptural and Confessional Principles is to be regarded as
a “formal and comprehensive statement of belief” in the
sense of Resolution 5-24 of the Milwaukee convention (Pro-
ceedings 1971. pp. 163—165) and that the Synod further de-
clare that A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Prin-
ciples shall hold the status defined in the resolution.

Ontario DISTRICT
Harold R. Patzer, Secretary
Albin J. Stanfel, President

2-378
To Repudiate Council of Presidents

Wuergas. At this writing some 200.000 Christians have
identified with the Crossroads letter which has as its aim
to support the doctrinal position of Synod and the consti-
tutional authority of the President of Synod in supervising
doctrine in Synod: and

Wuereas, Such action does not polarize the Synod, but
seeks only to unite all under the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions, and is therefore to be praised and commended
by all: and

Wuereas. The Council of Presidents by a vote of 22 to 12
has criticized the action and goals of those who signed and
supported the Crossroads letter, and urged none to support
such a cause: and

WuereEas, The Council of Presidents possesses No more au-
thority than the humblest pastor or Christian layman to
make such a recommendation: and

Wuereas. The Council of Presidents has not once sup-
ported the President of the Missouri Synod in_his efforts
to maintain purity of doctrine in the Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas. The Council of Presidents by its action is In
effect tyrannizing consciences and pressuring Christians, thus
stigmatizing itself as unworthy of the trust placed in the
individual District presidents; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Missouri Synod in convention assem-
bled repudiate the action of the Council of Presidents against
the Crossroads letter: and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod advise those men of the Coun-
cil of Presidents who voted against the Crossroads efforts
to resign their charges: and be it finally

Resolved. That the Council of Presidents be instructed by
the Synod to discontinue all efforts and activities as a body
except those explicitly outlined for them in the synodical
Handbook — except at the request of the President of Synod.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Olivette. Mo.

Kenneth Eckert. Secretary
Walter J. Hoffmann, Pastor

Identical:
2-37B

Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Casper, Wyo. Frank
Stewart, President; J. B. Brown, Pastor.

2-38A

To Declare Boards of Control Accountable
to Synodical President in Doctrinal Matters

WuerEas. The constitution of the Synod clearly makes
the President of the Synod responsible for supervision re-
garding the doctrine in the Synod (Article XI B); and

Wuereas. Good principles of administration indicate the
importance of clear and continuous lines of supervision ;
therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod declare its understanding that
in matters of doctrine the Boards of Control of Synod’s col-
leges and seminaries are accountable to the President of
the Synod in the intervals between conventions; and be it
further

Resolved. That in all cases where a given Board of Con-
trol fails to act in matters involving doctrine, the Synod
instruct the President of the Synod to control the matter.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Scarsdale, N. Y.

Merlin C. Meyer, Pastor
Alfred Barsuhn, President

Similar:
2-38B

Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, N. Y,,
Joseph C. Weber, Secretary.

2-39

To Extend Supervision to Valparaiso
University Theological Faculty

Wuereas. The religion faculty of Valparaiso University is
engaged in the teaching of theology and religion to thousands
of young people who are members of The Lutheran Church
__ Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas. This religion faculty and other clergy on the
staff of Valparaiso University are responsible to no official
synodical board or commission, and

Wuereas. Individual parish pastors and District presidents
cannot advise students or exercise effective control over such
a situation; therefore be it

Resolved, That in the teaching of religion, the faculty of
Valparaiso University be held immediately responsible to
the President of the LCMS or to any person (s) he may
designate for this function; and be it further

Resolved, That any Missouri Synod clergyman or teacher
on the faculty of Valparaiso University found to be teaching
contrary to the position of the Synod be suspended from the