LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 83

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 83

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2-122B

Eastern Regional Pastoral Conference, English District,
Erich H. Wildgrube Jr., Chairman.

2-122C

New York State Pastoral Conference, Atlantic District,
Daniel Aho, Secretary.

2-123

To Adopt Statement of Council of Presidents

Resolved. That the Colorado District in convention peti-
tion the 1973 convention of the Synod to adopt as its own
the statement of the Council of Presidents concerning the
interpretation of Milwaukee Resolution 3-21. and to append
it to that resolution.

Statement of the Council of Presidents

“To advise’ —In a true sense of the word the Synod is an
advisory body to its members. Since there is considerable dif-
ference of opinion among us about what is essential for altar
and pulpit fellowship with the American Lutheran Church, and
since we believe we should listen to the response of the Amer-
ican Lutheran Church to the concerns voiced in this resolution,
the Synod advises (not demands) its members that, in the in-
terest of harmony and peace among us, we do not expand fel-
lowship practices until a better understanding of present issucs
be achieved.

“To defer new implementation’ — This is not intended to
discourage or curtail those efforts which have already been
made to successfully practice altar and pulpit fellowshin with
the American Lutheran Church. This phrase should not be un-
derstood as though we are now “in statu confessionis,”” which
expression in itself builds another practicing fellowship with ihe
intent that, under God, the differences which are in evidence
may be resolved. To defer new implementation simply means
that instead of expanding our fellowship practices into new and
hitherto untried exoressions of Lutheran unity we be content
with the fellowship ovportunities which have been shared thus
far. Meanwhile. it is our hope and prayer that when the Amer-
ican Lutheran Church responds to our concerns we may together
find ways and means of reaching a God-pleasing agreement
which both church bodies will be able to respect.

CoLorapo DISTRICT

Ralph A. Phipps, Secretary

2-124

To Implement More Fully ALC Fellowship

Wuereas, The LCMS and the ALC have enjoyed the fra-
ternal relations of pulpit and altar fellowship: and

Wuereas. Such fellowship has been mutually beneficial
and strengthening to people in our community: and

WuereEAS, We believe such fellowship to be God-pleasing
and of much benefit to the church as a whole; therefore be it

Resolved, That our Synod give thanks to God for the joys
and sorrows we share with the ALC in pulpit and altar fel-
lowship: and be it further

Resolved, That we move quickly to more fully implement
the fellowship which was curtailed at the Milwaukee con-
vention: and be it finally

Resolved. That we declare that the ALC in its freedom
may ordain women to the ministry, while the LCMS does
not, and that such differences are not divisive of church
fellowship.

Our REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
Jacksonville, Fla.

Wayne J. Lehrer, Pastor
William Drum, President

Audrey Shivar, Seeretary

To Reaffirm Fellowship with ALC

Wuereas. The Missouri Synod in convention at Denver,
in 1969. established altar and pulpit fellowship with the
ALC; and

Wuereas, Through the workings of the Holy Spirit many
blessings have resulted from this declaration of unity; and

Wuereas, First Lutheran Church, Burns, Oreg., has ex-
perienced the blessings of this unity in the form of a con-
gregational merger (Hope, ALC, and First, LCMS) and can
attest to the joy of Chrstian brothers and sisters serving to-
gether in unity: therefore be it

Resolved, That we give thanks and praise to God for these
blessings: and be it further

Resolved. That the Northwest District memorialize The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to continue every effort
to remove obstacles which prevent realization of full pulpit
and altar fellowship with the American Lutheran Church;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the members of the Northwest District
pray the Lord of the church for greater Scriptural unity
among the Lutherans of America and in their lives and
parishes work toward that end.

NORTHWEST DISRICT
Wayne H. Brandmire, Secretary

2-126A

To Suspend Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with ALC

Wuereas. Res. 3-21 of the Milwaukee convention, 1971,
explicitly states: “That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod advise its pastors. congregations, boards, and com-
missions, because of doctrinal concerns still remaining be-
tween the two church bodies, to defer new implementation
of fellowship with the American Lutheran Church until the
American Lutheran Church has had opportunity to respond
to our Synod’s concerns”: and

WHEREAS, The ALC in convention in 1972 did respond
and take a definite stand against the position taken by the
Missouri Synod especially in connection of approving and
advocating women as pastors and instructors even in the
seminaries: and

Wuereas. God has said: “The women should keep silence
in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but
should be subordinate. as even the Law says” (1 Cor. 14:
34 RSV): and again, “I permit no woman to teach or to have
authority over men: she is to keep silent. For Adam was
formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but
the woman was deceived and became a transgressor” (1 Tim.
2:12-14 RSV); and

Wuereas, Again and again it has been shown that there
is no consensus regarding the inerrancy of Scripture, the
doctrine of conversion, the ecumenical movement, the Christ-
less lodge, Creation, the authorship of many Biblical books,
ete.: and

WHEREAS Titus 3:10-11 most definitely states: “A man
who chooses to be different in his teaching warn once and
a second time, and then don't have anything more to do
with him beeause you know such a man is set in his wrong
way and is a sinner who condemns himself.” (N.T. in the
Language of Today)

Wuereas. We have warned and discussed the unscriptural
position taken by the ALC many times in convention and
outside of conventions in committees, etc., but yet the official
position of the ALC still insists on rejecting God's clear
Word: and

Wuereas. We are told in 2 John 9-11: “Anyone who goes
too far and doesn't stay with what Christ has taught doesn’t
have God. If you stay with what He taught, you have the
Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and doesn't
teach this. don't take him into your home or greet him.
If vou greet him, you share the wicked things he does”; and

WHEREAS, Rom.16:17-18 tells us to “watch those who
cause disagreements and make people fall by going against
the teaching you learned. Turn away from them. Such men
are not serving Christ, our Lord, but their own bellies and
by their fine and flattering talk are deceiving innocent peo-
ple” (N.T. in the Language of Today); therefore be it

Resolved. To suspend altar and pulpit fellowship with the
ALC: and be it further