LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Sheet 73

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ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LCA 75

people even though we have been less unified in offering
them the Bread of Life.

We in the LCA continue to hope that the Lutheran
Council in the U.S.A. will serve to expand the unity in
mission. While the Missouri Synod has found it neces-
sary or desirable to restrict its cooperation in some
activities, and this has shaken our confidence and made
us cautious about entering any new cooperative work,
I hope ensuing events will quickly remedy both
circumstances.

We particularly treasure the study we do with you in
the Division of Theological Studies. While we know your
continuing desire for discussions with us outside the
Council, we do not believe anything can be accomplished
by merely adding to the quantity of meetings and discus-
sions. Rather we fear that working outside the Council
will only undercut the commitment each of us has to
working within the Council. The present study on the
“Role of Dogma and Theology in the Light of the Unity

of the Church” is beamed at the very issue that appears
to divide Lutheranism today. We are pursuing that to-
gether, with the hope and prayer and effort to define the
Gospel as St. Paul did in Galatians and Romans.

It is important to remember how Christ on the road to
Emmaus interpreted the Scripture with a single empha-
sis, namely, “the things concerning Himself.” I believe
all Scripture was inspired for that specific distinctive
purpose. I believe Scripture does not err in showing the
revelation of the true God in Jesus Christ and what He .
has done for us. Remembering that this Gospel is the
great treasure for all of us and that all of us must
confess we carry God’s treasure in earthen vessels, I
conclude with the words of St. Paul at the end of the
Letter to the Galatians: “Far be it from me to glory
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ... . The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brethren. Amen.”

Dr. Ropert J. MARSHALL

Address of the General Secretary of the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.

There is a reality to our concept of church that is felt
very keenly during a church convention. During my
years of service as a staff officer of the Lutheran Church
in America I was deeply involved in the planning for and
fulfillment of conventions. I recognize with you the ex-
citement as well as the responsibility that comes from
the assembling of a multitude of delegates from the
congregations that form a church body.

As you know, I am new to my tasks as General
Secretary of your Lutheran Council in the U.S.A., having
been in office for less than a year. This occasion marks
not only my first visit to one of your conventions but my
first appearance before you as your servant in our collec-
tive Lutheran endeavor.

Many of you in this audience are regular participants
and colleagues with us in the Lutheran Council, whether
as officers, representatives to our annual meeting, stand-
ing committee members, or members of our Lutheran
Council staff. I ask you not to think of the Lutheran
Council in a “we-they” context. The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod is an integral part of our inter-Lutheran
organization, and the Lutheran Council is thus a part of
the Missouri Synod.

Today I want to say three things: (1) that the Lu-
theran Council is responsive to your concerns; (2) that it
is flexible to change; and (3) that it is dedicated to
renewal and service. Your convention theme is indeed
the foundation for, and the pretext of, all of our work,
and we, throughout the Lutheran family in this country,
raise our voices with yours in proclaiming those wonder-
ful words of your convention theme.

1. The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. Is Responsive
to Your Concerns

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod helped bring
our Lutheran Council into being in 1967. You all know
that for many years prior to that, the American Lu-

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Dr. George Harkins, Generali Secretary of the LCUSA

theran Church and the Lutheran Church in America
(and their antecedent organizations) had worked to-
gether in the former National Lutheran Council. It is
significant to recall that the ALC and the LCA were
willing to scrap their entire National Lutheran Council
structure when your convention decided in 1965 that it
was ready to enter into cooperative work with these
other Lutheran church bodies. This meant a fresh start,
and everybody rejoiced that a new threshold of Lutheran
cooperation had been reached; there was great excite-
ment at the promise that lay ahead.

I believe that the Lutheran Council is fulfilling the
vision that you and your fellow Lutherans in America
had for it. At every point The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod has brought its considerable influence to