LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 42

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42 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

D. Abortion

1973 Resolution 2-19 “To Reaffirm Synodical Position on
Abortion" did not reach the floor of the New Orleans conven-
tion. Included in omnibus resolution 4-47. it was referred to the
CTCR. In partial fulfillment of this resolution the commission
commended its social concerns committee for its willingness to
assume responsibility for life concerns.

Furthermore. the commission authorized the social concerns
committee to develop both immediate and long-range plans for
implementing effective life-concerns programs for the various
segments of the LCMS constituency. (See Appendix H below
for the report of the social concerns committee.)

On January 22. 1974, the commission adopted the following
statement:

The first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the
issue of abortion (Roe rs. Wade. January 22. 1973) offers an opportune
moment to protest the legalization of nontherapeutic abortions.
Without a doubt one of the most crucial issues presently facing
almost every citizen of our country is the attitude toward human life.
not only the life of the child yet unborn. but also the life of the aged
and the terminally ill. and of all those who may seem to be a burden
to family and society, Within this context the LCMS today recalls that
its 1971 synodical convention has taken the position that ‘willful
abortion is contrary to the will of God.’ and has stated in its Social
Ministru Affirmations:

“By reason of the Father's creation and the Son's redemption of
man, God has exalted him above all creatures and has given to him
the privilege of becoming His child. Therefore. human life must be
treasured, supported, and protected.

“We encourage al! people to avoid perverting God's will...
through such acts as abortion or euthanasia.”

I]. CHURCH RELATIONS
A. Sister Churches
International Lutheran Theological Conference

In February 1973 the fourth International Lutheran Theolog-
ical Conference was held in Madras. India. President Preus
represented The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at this
meeting. which brought together the presidents of sister
churches for a discussion of vital issues pertaining to the mission
of the church. The ILTC program committee is presently
planning for the fifth conference of the ILTC scheduled to be
held in Brazil in the late fall of 1975. The conference plans to
devote considerable attention to a discussion of the relationship
of sister churches to one another. The commission recommends:

15. That the Synod participate in the forthcoming Inter-
national Lutheran Theological Conference and encourage the
Board of Directors to provide funds for this purpose.

The Philippines

At the request of President Preus the CTCR responded to
an inquiry from the Commission for Ecumenical Affairs of the
Lutheran Church in the Philippines concerning meetings be-
tween representatives of the Lutheran and Roman Catholic
Churches in the Philippines.

In its response the CTCR commended the Philippine Lu-
theran Church for beginning these discussions with the subject
of Baptism and encouraged them in their present study on the
Lord's Supper. The commission expressed its thanks to God for
the progress made thus far and asked for His continued blessings
on their efforts. The CTCR urged wide discussions within the
participating bodies to assure a common understanding. In
conclusion, appreciation was expressed for the willingness of
the Philippine Lutheran Church to work cooperatively with
The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in these matters.

Lutheran Church— Canada

During the 1971—73 biennium the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Canada invited The Lutheran Church-— Missouri
Synod and the Lutheran Church in America— Canada Section
to enter into discussions with a view toward a merger of these
three Lutheran bodies. The President of The Lutheran Church
—Missouri Synod requested the Lutheran Church—Canada
(the LCMS Canadian Districts) to respond to the merger invita-
tion. The Lutheran Church—Canada subsequently stated its
willingness to enter into discussions exploring the possibility
of merger, setting as its first priority doctrinal discussions with
a view to establishing altar and pulpit fellowship with the

Lutheran Church in America — Canada Section. Since the New
Orleans convention did not act on the CTCR’s 1973 recommen-
dation, the commission once again recommends:

16a. That the Synod endorse the action of the Lutheran
Church—Canada and pray that God will bless its efforts to
achiere a greater measure of Lutheran unity in Canada.

b. That the Synod ask its Commission on Constitutional
Matters to indicate which changes would be necessary in the
Bylaws of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in order to
enable the Lutheran Church—Canada to establish fellowship
with the Lutheran Church in America—Canada Section should
sufficient doctrinal consensus be discovered.

During the past biennium the CTCR has been represented
at the meetings of the Joint Commission on Inter-Lutheran
Relations (composed of representatives of the three Canadian
Lutheran bodies) and at the Lutheran Church—Canada con-
vention. The Joint Commission has adopted “Theses on the
Mission of the Church” and “Theses on Inter-Church Relations”
for study and reaction by the three Canadian Lutheran bodies.
The Joint Commission took these actions in the light of a state-
ment by its chairman that “a vote for the theses reflects the
conviction of the JCILR that the theses reflect sufficient con-
sensus on the matter for altar and pulpit fellowship.” On the
other hand. “Theses on the Holy Scriptures.” adopted by the
JCILR for study and reaction in 1973, were reviewed in 1974 with
consideration of proposed amendments. The Joint Commission
was unable to reach agreement on these theses. Discussion will
continue in the two meetings of the JCILR planned for 1975.
Further key issues planned for discussion in the 1975 meetings
include “The Ordination of Women” and “Anti-Christian
Ideologies.” The CTCR recommends:

17. That the Lutheran Church—Canada be urged to exercise
patient thoroughness in the pursuit of doctrinal unity with its
Canadian Lutheran counterparts.

The 1971 convention of the LCMS authorized arrangements
for training LCMS clergy on Canadian soil through use of
Lutheran Theological Seminary. Saskatoon. with an LCMS
chair on its faculty, and through the colloquizing of LCMS
graduates of the Saskatoon seminary by the Presidents of the
three Canadian Districts of the LCMS. Reports to the CTCR
over the past 4 years have consistently raised questions about
the adequacy of this arrangement. The commission therefore
recommends:

18. That the President of the Synod. in consultation with the
CTCR and the Board for Higher Education. appoint a task force
representing the CTCR and the BHE as well as the Presidents
of the three Canadian Districts to review the arrangement with
Lutheran Theological Seminary. Saskatoon, and to report findings
and recommendations to the 1977 convention of the LCMS.

B. The American Lutheran Church

The 1973 convention of the LCMS tabled Resolution 2-40
“To Declare the Synod's Fellowship with the ALC to Be ina
State of Suspension.” During the past biennium discussions
between the LCMS and the ALC have continued. The CTCR
has not been directly involved. because the primary responsi-
bility for such discussions has been given to the Commission on
Fellowship (whose report appears elsewhere in this Workbook).
The CTCR has received regular reports on the activities of the
Commission on Fellowship from its members who are also mem-
bers of that Commission (Drs. Theo. Nickel and Ralph Bohl-
mann, Prof. Roland Hopmann, and Rev. Karl Barth). It is evi-
dent that sincere attempts are being made to address contro-
verted theological issues not yet resolved. At its October 1974
convention the ALC expressed gratitude to God for the pulpit
and altar fellowship it has established with the LCMS and
expressed sorrow and concern over the doctrinal discord in
our church body. President J. A. O. Preus addressed the ALC
convention and expressed the thanks of the LCMS for this
“loving and fraternal concern.”

The CTCR, however, regrets the partisan and widely
publicized support by theologians of the ALC for those who
disagree with the official doctrinal position of the LCMS. The
CTCR is also concerned about the misunderstanding of the
actions of the LCMS in its 1973 convention as reflected in the
open letter of Dr. David W. Preus. president of the ALC, to the