Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 161
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 161

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

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SEMINARY ISSUES 161

ticle VIII C), thus inviting us to depend on the Spirit's il-
lumination of His Word in any controversy; and

Wuereas, The disagreements which presently trouble our
church are indeed “matters of doctrine and of conscience,”
the settlement of which can come only by the Spirit as we
search the Word and share our several gifts: and

Wuereas, With eyes of hope on our living Lord we can
gladly let such searching and debate continue, confident that
the Spirit’s truth will yet prevail by its own power for our
unity and healing — against any distortion or inadequacy
of doctrinal expression, and against any fear, suspicion, and
judgment which mars our love for one another; therefore
e it

Resolved, That we steadfastly decline to decide our pres-
ent conflict “of doctrine and of conscience,” directly or in-
directly, by resolutions or votes at this convention; and be
it further

Resolved, That we continue as a whole church to search
the Word of God, share our diverse gifts in meekness and
without fear, cling to one another for the sake of our one
Lord and one baptism, and wait confidently for the Spirit
to unite us in a common understanding of that one eternal
truth which is our rock of joy, hope, and power.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Valparaiso, Ind.

Edgar Luecke, Chairman
Helen Dauberman, Secretary

Similar:
3-182B

Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission, Kans., John Trantham;
Louis Hoger, Secretary.

3-183

To Resolve Differences in Love for Christ
and His Church

Wuereas, Our church has received so much unfavorable
publicity in the public news media because of disagreements
and misunderstandings among members, pastors, and officials
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Colorado District petition the 1973
convention of the Synod to encourage the members of Synod
to resolve their differences privately and in love for the
Lord and His church: and be it further

Resolved, That the members of Synod be urged not to
give offense to fellow believers and to the world in a day
when it is so important to attract people to the saving Gospel.

Cotorapo DISTRICT
Ralph A. Phipps, Secretary

3-184

To Strive for Unity

Wuereas, The Lord of the Church prayed for its unity
(John 17); and

Wuereas, Our Synod has enjoyed God's gift of unity for
most of the 125 years of her life; and

WuereaS, The course taken by both sides in the present
controversy seems destined to lead to fraction and separa-
tion of the unity; and

Wuereas, Such separation would be painful to our Lord,
and a disappointment and heartbreak to our church, and
a scandal to all of Christendom and the world around us;
therefore be it

Resolved, That under God the efforts of the Church be
directed toward a God pleasing unity; and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for real love between us as
brothers in Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for the grace to speak to each
other in love, without condemnation, suspicion and pride;
and be it further

Resolved, That we follow the Scriptural directives of mu-
tual concern and conversation (Eph. 4, Matt.18, 2 Tim.4);
and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for the Holy Spirit to create a
unity in the Gospel and believe that He alone can accom-
plish it; and be it finally

Resolved, That we have patience with God, ourselves,
and the brethren, until God brings about the peace and

unity pleasing to Him. Z10ox LUTHERAN CHURCH

Kalamazoo, Mich.
Carl H. Sachtleben, Secretary

3-185
To Withhold Judgment Re Seminary

Wuereas. The present situation in our Synod appears to
be one in which much more study and dialog are needed to
avert serious rifts; therefore be it

Resolved, That we strongly request our Synod gathered
in convention at New Orleans to adopt no doctrinal resolu-
tions of a binding nature: that no judgment on the faculty of
St. Louis, individually or collectively, be made until the “due
process” spelled out by the Council of Presidents has been
followed in all details: and that more processes be designed
to encourage sharing and interchange regarding the doctrinal
issues confronting the Synod.

PasTORAL CONFERENCE
New EncLtanp DISTRICT
Thomas D. Kraus, Secretary

3-186
To Resist Taking Sides

Wuereas. It is the will of our Lord that we might all be
one (John 17:21); and

Wuereas, The Spirit urges Us in Holy Scripture_to pre-
serve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3)
and to avoid those who would cause division (Rom. 16: 17);
and

Wuerras. The Spirit has often led the church to truth
through painful debate: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reject all efforts to divide; and
be it further
Resolved. That all in Synod be urged to resist “taking
sides,” but instead be urged to listen and to speak the truth
in love, always remembering that we are seeking to know
the mind of the Spirit: and be it finally
Resolved, That all in positions of leadership in Synod,
especially the President, provide the atmosphere conducive
to dialog, mutual love, and care, SO that we do not frustrate
the Spirit of God.
EasTERN REGIONAL PASTORAL CONFERENCE
ENGLISH DISTRICT
Erich H. Wildgrube Jr., Chairman

3-187A

To Adopt District Presidents’ Guidelines
for Evangelical Supervision

WHEREAS. It appears that the traditional, evangelical doc-
trinal supervision within our church has deteriorated; and

Wuereas, The President’s Report of the Fact Finding
Committee and the seminary’s reply has increased polarity
within our church and distracted The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod from its mission: and

Wuereas. The District Presidents have developed a group
of very constructive guidelines for carrying out evangelical
doctrinal supervision: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Sierra-Nevada Pastoral Conference of

the California and Nevada District memorialize The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod in convention at New Or-