LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 181

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SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION 181

the proposal did not receive the 2’3 majority required in
each of the Districts (Ontario declined), Lutheran Church —
Canada made subsequent submissions to Synod and in 1985
was granted status as an administrative unit of the LCMS
(Detroit, Res. 4-28). Again in 1970, following Synod’s fa-
vourable review (Denver. Res. 4-13), each of the Districts
in convention voted on the question of LC-C autonomy.
The result closely paralleled that of 1964 and prompted a
number of subsequent revisions in structure to facilitate
closer consultation between the responsible officials of the
Districts and more direct representation in matters re-
quiring joint decision both within LC-C and in its relations
with other church bodies.

Presently serving as the Board of Directors are: Rev.
Louis N. Scholl, President. Rev. Philip Fry. Vice-President,
Rev. George Rode. D.D.. Secretary. Mr. Robert Pippus,
Treasurer. Mr. Henry P. Baker. Rev. Albin J. Stanfel.

I. Inter-Lutheran Relations

As an administrative unit. LC-C functions “in those areas
of church work mutually agreed upon by The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church — Canada”
(Bylaws. IV). Since its inception LC-C has invested con-
siderable effort in our relations with other Lutheran churches
in Canada.

A. Lutheran Council in Canada, LC-C has participated in
Lutheran Council in Canada since it became operative in
1967 (Detroit. Res. 3-17). LCIC is the Canadian counter-
part of Lutheran Council in the United States of America.
As such its purpose and functions are quite similar to those
of LCUSA. Council exists to enable its member bodies (The
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, The Lutheran
Church in America — Canada Section. Lutheran Church —
Canada) to accomplish those things that can be done more
effectively in concert than in separation. We value our
membership in Council highly since we consider it an ef-
fective agency in fostering a climate conducive to closer
relations among Lutherans in Canada. Further to that.
Council acts as a catalyst in pointing up areas of opportunity
and responsibility sometimes overlooked by the church.
All the participating churches have benefited from the con-
sultation and coordination, the joint planning and elimina-
tion of unnecessary duplication facilitated by Council through
its various divisions of activity.

Since our congregations in Canada share in the total mis-
sion program of the Districts and Synod, LC-C’s share of
the budget for Lutheran Council in Canada is paid out of
Synod's treasury. We realize that because receipts have not
matched budgetary requirements in recent years, Synod
has had to make cutbacks in the amounts allocated for its
_ various departments of work. including inter-Lutheran
agencies. For several years now our church has defaulted
on its full apportionment to the budget of Lutheran Council
in Canada. While we are not asking for preferential treat-
ment, we would strongly plead that there is little room for
adjustment in budgets that are comparatively small and al-
ready pared to bare essentials.

B. Fellowship with the ELCC. In 1969 (Denver. Res. 3-
16), The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod declared itself
to be in altar and pulpit fellowship with The Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Canada (formerly the Canada District
of The American Lutheran Church, now autonomous since
1967). This action climaxed many years of cordial contacts
and earnest discussions between representatives of these
churches. Since the ELCC numbers only 10 congregations
east of Lake Superior, the fruits of fellowship are most
appreciated in the provinces of Western Canada. Without
surrendering Synodical consciousness or loyalty. pastors of
both churches are finding fellowship to be mutually strength-
ening. Difficulties in providing a ministry to vacant parishes
especially in rural areas are lessened as a result of fellowship.
In addition to that. officials point to the congregational mer-
gers, realignment of parishes. shared ministries and joint
chaplaincies that have been facilitated by our fellowship
ties with the ELCC. With them we count this as a gift of
the Spirit and pray the Lord of the church that He lead
us to experience the full unity that is ours in Him.

C. Invitation to Negotiate Merger. The quest for doctrinal
unity leading to one Lutheran Church in Canada is not new.
Free conferences aimed at theological consensus date back

to 1872. These conferences however were intermittent and
not completely representative of all Lutheran bodies in
Canada, But beginning with 1956 the discussions became
all-embracing and gathered uninterrupted momentum un-
der a committee of representatives appointed by the three
participating churches (ELCC, LCA-CS, LC-C) and now
known as “The Joint Commission on Inter-Lutheran Rela-
tionships.” It should be noted that the LCA in Canada de-
parted from the traditional stance of their church in that
they have been willing and eager partners in all doctrinal
discussions that have been held in our quest for Lutheran
unity.

Recent developments have brought these discussions full
circle. In the early years (1956—59) they were aimed at one
indigenous Lutheran church in Canada, But in 1960 with
two mergers pending (ALC, ELC, UELC to form The Amer-
ican Lutheran Church; and AELC, Augustana, Suomi, ULCA
to form the Lutheran Church in America), the stated ob-
jective was changed to the achievement of a theological
consensus sufficient for altar and pulpit fellowship. Thus on
Dec. 10 of 1970. following a decade of intensive study and
discussion in meetings not only of the Commission but of
numerous subcommittees as well, the official representatives
issued the document Affirmation and Appeal in which they
declared:

our study of the Scriptures. the Lutheran Confessions and the

doctrinal articles in the constitutions of our churches convinces

us that consensus sufficient for fellowship exists. We are there-
fore of the conviction that our churches should declare and

practise altar and pulpit fellowship. delaying no longer than is
required in order to follow orderly procedures in the churches.

In adopting the above declaration, the Commission also
recommended that meetings be held on a broad base through-
out the church in the hope that through personal study and
discussion, our pastors and laity might concur in the declara-
tion of consensus. Further to that, the Commission recom-
mended that LC-C follow the necessary procedures to ob-
tain a declaration of fellowship at the 1973 convention of
LC-MS. Discussions have been held, though not with the
breadth of involvement the Commission had hoped for. Nor
have the findings in every case been as positive as the Com-
mission's. But relationships are growing and so is our trust
and understanding of one another. For this we continually
give thanks as we implore the Spirit to lead us together into
His truth.

The most recent chapter in this quest for unity originates
with the June 1972 convention of The Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Canada at which delegates voted unanimously to
invite both the LCA-CS and the LCMS/‘LC-C to enter into
merger negotiations. At its November 72 meeting, LC-C’s
Committee on Relations with Other Church Bodies gave this
invitation careful study and drafted the following resolution
which was unanimously adopted by the Feb. 16—18, 1973,
convention of Lutheran Church — Canada:

Wuereas. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada in
convention at Camrose, Alberta. June 19—23, 1972, issued an
invitation to The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to enter
into official negotiations to bring about a merger of the Cana-

dian constituencies of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada; and

Wuereas. The last two conventions of The Lutheran Church
—- Missouri Synod have encouraged the Lutheran Church —
Canada to pursue Lutheran unity in Canada, and

Wuerras. The President of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod has requested the Lutheran Church — Canada to respond
to the invitation: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Lutheran Church — Canada assure the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada of its readiness to en-
ter into negotiations exploring the possibilities of merger. and
be it further

Resolved. That the Lutheran Church — Canada _ express its
conviction to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada that.
if merger negotiations include the Lutheran Church in America
-- Canada Section, primary attention should be given to the
achievement of doctrinal consensus sufficient for altar and pul-
pit fellowship between the Lutheran Chureh — Canada and the
Lutheran Church in America — Canada Section; and be it finally

Resolved. That we pray that God will bless these negotia-
tions so that the spread of the Gospel in Canada may be
furthered.

II. Theological Training

In its report to the 1971 convention of the Synod, LC-C
outlined the factors favouring the establishment of a chair
of theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saska-