LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 94

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

94 RESOLUTIONS

Action: Adopted as amended (5).

(The convention declined an amendment for a final resolved
declaring N.O. Res. 2-12, 3-01, and 3-09 in addition to Res. 6-02
of the present convention null and void, asking for recognition
of Seminex as a seminary of the LCMS and the ordination and
installation of Seminex graduates, and.calling for the cessation
of any oppressive action until the meetings for the discussion of
theology and mission of the church had taken place. It also
declined to delete Point 1. It did, however, add the words “and
pray” in the final whereas.)

To Reaffirm the Desire to
Establish Fellowship with the
Lutheran Church of Australia

RESOLUTION 3-02
Report 3-01, II, D (CW, p. 43)

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
feels a close kinship with fellow Lutherans in Australia;
and

Wuereas, The Denver convention (1969 Proceedings,
Res. 3-03, p. 94) expressed the desire of the LCMS to
enter into discussions leading to altar and pulpit fellow-
ship with the Lutheran Church of Australia; and

Wuereas, Correspondence and personal meetings
between the Presidents of the two Lutheran church
bodies have reflected a desire for a closer relationship
between the LCMS and the Lutheran Church in Aus-
tralia and have encouraged confessional discussions
among Lutherans; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its continued desire
to establish altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lu-
theran Church of Australia and pray that God will richly
bless our mutual efforts to that end.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Respond to Concerns Regarding
Former Faculty Members

RESOLUTION 3-03A
(Replacing Resolution 3-03)

Overtures 3-46—3-48, 3-50, 3-82, 3-83 (CW, pp. 77—
78, 88)

Wuereas, It is a matter of great urgency for the
welfare of individuals involved and our whole Synod that
a determination be made as to which members, if any, of
the former “faculty majority” of Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, adhere to the doctrinal positions condemned in
New Orleans Res. 3-09; and

WHEREAS, The language of N. O. Res. 3-09 has led to
some confusion; and

Wuereas, The Board of Control of Concordia Semi-
nary, St. Louis, does not have jurisdiction over members
of the former faculty who are no longer teaching at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, after con-
sultation with the Vice-Presidents and the Council of
Presidents, appoint a committee of five to determine, by
means of an individual interview process on the basis of

the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, which for-
mer faculty members adhere to the false doctrine speci-
fied by the Synod in N.O. Res. 3-09; and be it further

Resolved, That the names of those whose position is
found to be in accord with the Scriptures and the Lu-
theran Confessions be released to the church, and that
the Board for Higher Education, the Boards of Control of
the synodical colleges and seminaries, and the congrega-
tions of the Synod be urged to give consideration to
calling these professors; and be it further

Resolved, That in the case of those whose position is
found not to be in harmony with the Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions the matter be placed into the
hands of the appropriate District President as a charge to
be dealt with in accordance with Bylaw 5.11; and be it
finally

Resolved, That in Christian concern we encourage the
members of the former faculty to avail themselves of this

‘opportunity for their own sake and for the sake of peace

and harmony in the church.

Action: Adopted (6).

(The floor committee replaced tentative Res. 3-03 with 3-
03A. Discussion began in Session 5. A motion to table the
resolution failed-to carry. When the automatic call for the
question was presented after 30 minutes of debate, the chair
ruled that the necessary % vote had been received. At this
point a delegate asked for an opinion regarding the constitu-
tionality of this resolution. In Session 6 the Commission on
Constitutional Matters reported that in its opinion the con-
sideration of Res. 3-03A was constitutional although it reserved
the right to alter its opinion after further consideration. The
chairman of Committee 3 called upon the chairman of the
floor committee on constitutional matters since that committee
had prepared a similar resolution (5-04) dealing with similar
matters. The President was granted the privilege of addressing
the convention on this subject and reminded the delegates
that this resolution was also intended to meet the request of
the former seminary students relating to the personal position
of their instructors. In response to a question from the floor
the chair stated that the debate had been terminated since
there had been no call for a division of the house when the
chair had annourtced the result of the voice vote on termination
in the previous session. After declining a motion to reopen
discussion, the convention adopted Res. 3-034.)

To Reaffirm the Right of the Synod to
Adopt Doctrinal Statements and
to Establish Procedures

RESOLUTION 3-04

Reports 5-01, IV, H; App. 5-01 B (CW, 205-207); Over-
tures 3-51A—3-55Q, 3-61, 3-63A—C, 3-69A—D, 3-
91A—3-95C, 3-97A—3-100B, 3-102—3-108, 3-110—
3-120C; N.O. Res. 5-03 (CW, pp. 78—79, 81, 81—82,
84, 90— 100, 440)

Wuereas, Concern has been expressed in a number of
overtures over the right of the Synod to adopt doctrinal
statements; and

Wuereas, Other overtures have also expressed con-
cern relating to procedures when adopting doctrinal
statements and relating to the binding nature of doc-
trinal statements; and

Wuereas, The Synod has asserted its right to adopt
doctrinal statements (Cleveland Resolution 3-17, 1962