LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Sheet 54

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54 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

feeble in one place, it will surely become altogether power-
less; if we fail at this point, love will not help us.... We can
be saved without the love and unity of the Sacramentarians;
but we cannot be saved without the pure doctrine and faith.
(C. F. W. Walther, The True Visible Church, trans. John
Theodore Mueller, p. 93)

Related to doctrinal differences is the issue of proce-
dural differences. The Scriptures are the sure and infalli-
ble Word of God; therefore the directives contained
therein are not to be questioned, much less ignored. The
congregation is also of God, with all its responsibilities
and rights, as it seeks to carry out the ministry “that
brings righteousness” (2 Cor. 3:9) by means of preaching,
teaching, witnessing, and caring. The Synod, however, is
man-made and therefore advisory, possessing no more
authority than that which has been delegated and en-
trusted to it by the member congregations.

If we keep these distinctions in mind, we will not be
engulfed in the questions of authority and rights. We
will also, in a peaceful and therefore in a Christ-like
manner, review our programs and procedures, making
such changes as are not contrary to God’s Word but are
necessary in carrying out the common tasks we wish to
accomplish as a synod. In making such decisions we will
look not only to our own interests but also to the inter-
ests of others. (Phil. 2:4)

“One in spirit and purpose” (2:2). What is our common
purpose? Would we not all answer with one voice: “The
salvation of souls”? Is it not our “heart’s desire and
prayer to God . . . that they may be saved”? (Rom. 10:1).
Do we not all agree, that to accomplish this task, men
and women must be mobilized, given the best possible
Christian education, and sent? “How can they believe in
Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they
hear without someone preaching to them? And how can
they preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:14-15)

“One in spirit and purpose.” We cannot work together
in carrying out these tasks unless there is a spirit of
cooperation and understanding among us. Flaming words
rising from the fuel of questioned motives, name-calling,
judgments not based on fact, jealousies, and personal
frustrations do not “build others up according to their
needs” (Eph. 4:29) but only destroy. “With the tongue we
praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men;
who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same
mouths come praise and cursing. My brothers, this
should not be.” (James 4:9-10)

“One in spirit and purpose.” We have a great deal to
do at this convention. The presence of twice as many
overtures from congregations alone should indicate to us
that we must proceed with all due possible haste. Much
will be left undone if we spend too much time in our
decision-making. The fact that all delegates received
proposed resolutions several weeks ago should greatly
expedite our discussions and decisions.

Many of us have come great distances and at personal
sacrifice to get the work done. Let us not impede the
progress of the convention by employing tactics which
frustrate this decision-making. What I am saying is not
intended to muzzle honest expression of concern. I do
hope, however, that we will be about our business in a
way that is God-pleasing and therefore fair to all.

Ii. Allegiance to Christ

If our goals are alike and if our attitude is that of
Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself and has therefore
been given great glory, we shall put first things first,
humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God and
confessing on bended knee our unworthiness to be even
named “Christian” after Him whose name is above every
name. (2:5, 9-10)

The bended knee implies the broken and contrite
heart. Each of us in his own way has violated the holy
law of God in thought, word, and deed. With Luther we
confess that “we daily sin much and indeed deserve
nothing but punishment.” We confess such sins as sloth,
for we often are remiss in our Christian witnessing. We
confess such sins as greed, for our offerings to God are
often minimal. We confess such sins as pride, for even as
we bend the knee, there is the desire to be noticed. We
confess such sins as envy, for we often feel that others
with less talent and through less labor than our own
have been overrewarded. We confess such sins as anger,
not “righteous” anger but the kind of anger which does
not work the righteousness of God. (James 1:20)

The bended knee implies humility and repentance.
Christ is Lord. To Him all authority in heaven and earth
has been given. His is the power to forgive, which He has
and does, therefore we bend the knee “to Him who loved
us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and has
made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God
and Father—to Him be glory and power forever and
ever” (Rev. 1:5-6). He was dead but is alive forever and
ever. He holds the keys of death and hell. (Rev. 1:18)

The bended knee implies obedience. “Teach them to
observe all things I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20).
We are not in a position to pick and choose from what He
ordered to be done in and by His church. The whole
counsel of God (Acts 20:27), revealed to us in the Sacred
Scriptures, is to be believed, taught, confessed, and fol-
lowed. As those who live in the Law, we delight in His
commandments, and they are not burdensome to us. So
Luther begins each explanation of the Ten Command-
ments with the encouragement: “We should fear and love
God... .” .

The bended knee implies that we who live in the
Gospel have the willingness to confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord. The apostle specifically states that this is to be
done orally. The Christian life, while reflecting the char-
acter of the believer, and deeds of charity, which we are
always encouraged to render, is not sufficient. Faith
comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

While the evangelism emphasis will be present in our
assembly every day, we will especially have opportunity
to learn by doing at the workshops scheduled for
tomorrow.

Let us give this matter priority. Never in the history
of the world has the church had a greater challenge and
better equipment for bringing the Good News to sinful
man. Never have the members of our Synod been as well
educated and able to communicate with so many individ-
uals in a lifetime. While there are problems connected
with being better educated, with living in many places in
new situations, with changing professions and pursuits,