LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Sheet 77

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. We have defended and will continue to defend the prec-

ious rights guaranteed to all congregations by our Syn-
od’s Constitution. Therefore we reject the charge that we
have caused divisions or given offense. We have acted,
and by God’s grace intend to continue to act, in the best
interests of Christ’s holy church and of the Synod to
which we are bound by lifelong ties of affection and
esteem. We are convinced that our action is vindicated by
the Holy Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the
Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
We are also convinced that our position is neither new
nor unique in Missouri Synod history. We are walking in
the spirit of Martin Luther, C. F. W. Walther, and
Francis Pieper. They viewed the church not as an eccle-
siastical government exercising coercive powers over its
congregations but as the instrument of the Holy Spirit
for carrying out the commission of our Lord to evangelize
the peoples of the world.

Surely this strife-torn, divided world hungers more
than ever for the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ. A
church body united under Scripture and the Confessions
can be a powerful witness to the world and can serve it
as God’s own agent of reconciliation. But a church body
that seeks to enforce unanimity by convention resolu-
tions will lose both its Lutheran character and its Spirit-
given unity. Then a strife-torn world would merely be

18 , STATEMENT BY REV. EMIL JAECH

confronted by a strife-torn church, to the confusion of
both and to the confounding of the church’s mission.

We urge you to return to the position of our synodical
fathers and of the Lutheran confessors, who placed great
confidence in the gathered people of God in the local
congregation. We are convinced that their example,
based on the New Testament concept of the church, is a
safe one to follow. This we have endeavored to do. This
we are conscience bound to continue to do. We pray that
you will allow this position to be maintained within The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. If not, you will have
effectively excluded not only eight of us but very likely
hundreds of congregations, hundreds of pastors and
teachers, and thousands of members of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod from your fellowship. Such
severing of the fellowship will not be by our choice but
by your decision. We commend ourselves and all of you to
the mercy of God.

Rev. Herman R. Frincke, Eastern District

Rev. Haron L. HeEcut, English District

Rev. Paut E. Jacoss, California and Nevada District

Rev. Emi G. JAecu, Northwest District

Rev. WaLpemar EF. Meyer, Colorado District

Rev. HERMAN NEUNABER, Southern Illinois District

Rev. Rupopu P. F. Ressmeyer, Atlantic District

Rev. Rosert J. RieEpEL, New England District