LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 172

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172 RESOLUTIONS

To Decline Overtures
Relative to Christian News

RESOLUTION 9-11

Overtures 9-14—9-17 (CW, p. 412); N.O. Res. 11-07
(CW, p. 448)

Wuereas, The Council of Presidents acted in good
faith and gave rationale for their repudiation of Chris-
tian News; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overtures 9-14, 9-15, 9-16, and 9-17 be
declined.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Discourage Lawsuits
RESOLUTION 9-12
Overture 9-09 (CW, p. 411)

Wuereas, There is an unusual amount of tension
within the Synod; and

Wuereas, Different congregations react differently,
some minimizing the problem and others seeking to
influence matters through overtures such as this; and

Wuereas, Some congregations feel compelled to op-
pose wrongs and to testify to the truth by separating
from the Synod; and

Wuereas, Such action normally finds within the par-
ish a minority opposing the separation; and

Wuereas, Existing discord among brothers is deep-
ened when lawsuits are filed to prevent such disassocia-
tion; and

Wuereas, The Scriptures forbid airing our problems
before the world (1 Cor. 6), which exposure is interpreted
by the world as a struggle over material advantage
rather than a sincere concern for the truth; therefore be
it

Resolved, That in any case lawsuits be discouraged;
and be it further

Resolved, That such congregations also consider the
legal and serious financial problems that may result
from a division; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations which are threatened by
division be encouraged to use every avenue available
within our fellowship of faith to achieve reconciliation.

Action: Adopted (10).

(The convention declined to consider Overture 9-09 as a
substitute.)

To Review the Brux Case
RESOLUTION 9-13
Overture 9-29 (CW, p. 415)

Wuereas, The synodical convention in New York
reopened the long dormant case against Dr. Adolph Brux
and by resolution gravitated toward excneration of that
former missionary (to India), whose prayer fellowship

with non-Lutheran Christians and defense of same led to
his recall by the Board for Foreign Missions; and

Wuereas, The New York convention in Resolution
13-22 stated: “That the Synod assure Dr. Brux that we
desire to resolve the causes of misunderstanding in the
spirit of love”; and

Wuereas, This has not been consummated; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the convention direct the synodical
Board for Missions to give this matter top priority in
bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion, and report its
action to the 1977 synodical convention.

Action: This resolution died since it failed to receive
action before adjournment.
(The committee supplied the wording given above in the

resolved to replace the original words “. .. Board for Missions to
seek a satisfactory conclusion to this case and report . . .”

To Extend Involvement of
Members in Mission

RESOLUTION 9-14
Overture 9-10 (CW, p. 411)

WHEREAS, “We affirm that the church is God’s mission

. and we place ourselves, our congregations, and our
Synod into His loving hand as willing instruments of His
great mission to the world” (Mission Affirmations, De-
troit, 1965); and

Wuereas, If the church is to be God’s mission, each
Christian must be involved both within the church when
it acts as a corporate body, and as an individual believer
in the world; therefore be it

Resolved, That, while recognizing the autonomy of the
congregation in such matters as right of suffrage and the
right to hold office, we nevertheless encourage each con-
gregation to review its constitution and if possible pro-
vide opportunity to every member, regardless of age or
sex, to be actively involved in mission.

Action: This resolution died since it failed to receive
action before adjournment.

To Thank the LLL
for Microfilm Support
RESOLUTION 9-15
Report 9-02 (CW, p. 409)
Wuereas, The Lutheran Laymen’s League has ren-
dered financial support to the Concordia Historical Insti-

tute for its photoduplication and microfilm program for
20 consecutive years; therefore be it

Resolved, That this 51st convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod express its gratitude to the LLL
for support of the synodical archives and the Concordia
Historical Institute, and that the LLL be encouraged to
continue its support of the Institute.

Action: This resolution died since it failed te receive
action before adjournment.