LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Sheet 76

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truth through theological dialogs, through combining our
specialized approaches to chaplaincy work, ministry
among the military, American Indian minority affairs,
overseas volunteer activities, work with youth agencies,
planning regional cooperation in missions, welfare enti-
ties, and campus ministry and other activities.

More can be done when we work together. We have
only started in our cooperative adventure on this conti-
nent, and there are many needs and opportunities ahead.

ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF LCUSA T7

We should let nothing stop us from pursuing the tasks
that are required of us as obedient disciples of Him
whom we praise through your convention theme when
we say that Jesus Christ is Lord.

It gives me joy to come before you as a colleague, a
friend, a fellow Lutheran, and a partner with you in this
greatest of all callings. Thank you.

Dr. GeorcE Harkins

Statement by Rev. Emil Jaech

(Representing several District Presidents after adoption of Res. 5-02A. Printed in the PROCEED-

INGs by convention resolution.)

PRESIDENT PREUS,
BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST:

I am moved to underscore those familiar words —
brothers and sisters in Christ. In these tense, emotion-
packed, perhaps anger-filled moments some may feel
either like throwing in the towel and leaving or like
saying, “Good riddance!” But our Lord, who bought both
you and me at so great a price, has by His Spirit called
all of us by the Gospel out of darkness into light. He has
called us to be brothers and sisters together in His one
family. In His name, my brothers and sisters, we eight
District Presidents wish to give this response:

The passage today of Resolution 5-02 has made it‘

appropriate and necessary for the eight District Presi-
dents who are the objects of that resolution to respond to
the convention and to the entire Synod.

We have stated repeatedly, individually, and corpo-
rately our reasons for ordaining, or consenting to the
ordination of, graduates of Concordia Seminary-in-Exile
who have received proper calls from congregations or
calling agencies in our Districts. We will not repeat those
reasons now. But we take this opportunity to inform you
and the church of our common and unamimous response,
of our continuing struggle for freedom of conscience
under the Gospel, and of our plans for the future.

With regret we say that we cannot agree with your
action. We are disappointed that we have been unable to
convince you of the appropriateness of our stand. We had
hoped and prayed that you would make a different
judgment. Your decision puts not only the eight of us but
all the officers of the Synod and its Districts and all the
congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in serious jeopardy. You have not recognized the rights
of congregations nor the legitimate claims of conscience.
This is a serious breach of the Holy Scriptures, the
Lutheran Confessions, and the synodical Constitution.
We believe that your actions stem from sincere motives
but that your judgment in this instance is wrong. Your
action will only cause further division in the Synod at a
time when healing is most necessary.

At the same time we are heartened by the approval
given to our actions by a substantial minority of the
convention delegates. We ask all of you to join us now in
the task of restoring throughout the Synod the evangeli-

cal style of leadership and life together that has charac-
terized most of her history.

We eight agree that the final judgment concerning
our continuing service to the church as District Presi-
dents rests with the congregations of our Districts which
elected us to office. We intend to take our case to them. If
they agree with your judgment, we will accept that
decision. But they must ultimately decide this issue.
Action by a synodical convention providing for the re-
moval of District Presidents is unprecedented and un-
heard of among us and represents a threat to the rights
guaranteed to all of our congregations by Article VII of
the synodical Constitution.

Even the smallest congregation in the Synod is pos-
sessed of an authority higher than that of the most
impressive church. assembly, for all authority is derived
from the Word of God. Where the Gospel is proclaimed
and the sacraments administered, there is the Word of
God. There is the presence of the risen Christ promised
to even the most humble community gathered around
Bible, the water of Baptism, the Word of forgiveness, the
bread and wine of divine reconciliation. No official, no
resolution, no bylaw can interfere with the assertion of
that promise, of that presence, of that authority. That is
what is at stake in the position we are taking today.

No one has demonstrated that we have acted contrary
to the Holy Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod in the matter
of ordaining and receiving Seminex graduates into our
Districts. No threat of removal from office has persuaded
us to change our position. We intend to continue our
present practice, which we believe is in full accord with
the Scriptural and confessional standards to which we
voluntarily bound ourselves by our ordination vows and
by the promises made when we accepted the Presidencies
of our Districts. We intend to continue as Presidents of
our Districts unless and until our Districts vote to re-
place us. Long ago it was determined that our election
was a divine call. Whether we have violated that call isa
decision that may be made only by those who extended
the call.

We have not advocated anarchy in the Synod nor
defended purely personal rights, as some have wrongly
charged. We have advocated Christian freedom in all
matters not commanded or forbidden by the Word of God.