LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 43

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 43

constituency of the LCMS and published in the April 16, 1974,
issue of the Lutheran Standard. These unfortunate actions have
not served to strengthen the ties of fellowship, something we
earnestly and prayerfully seek in the fear and love of God. Nor
have they helped in effecting reconciliation within our own
church body. The commission recommends:

19. That the Synod —

a. Express its appreciation for every evidence of growth in
the understanding and practice of fellowship in both the LCMS
and the ALC:

b. State its deep regret that 6 years of discussion in the
Commission on Fellowship have not produced evidence that
“serious differences in the doctrine of the authority of Scripture”
(1971 Resolution 3-21. fourth whereas) have been resolved or that
our two church bodies have achieved a common understanding
‘on what fellowship involves.” (Resolution 3-21, third whereas}

c. Consider the recommendation suggested in 1973 Resolution
2-40 to declare the denominational fellowship to be in a state of
suspension. By this latter term we—

1) do not mean the termination of fellowship as though the
bonds between us are herewith immediately and finally broken:

2) assert that consensus between the two church bodies does
not exist in the following areas:

a) the authority of Scripture also as it relates to the ordination
of women to the pastoral office:

b) an understanding of the nature and basis of fellowship:

¢) position and practice with regard to membership in ecu-
menical organizations: and

d) the lodge question.

3) implore all involved. where doctrinal consensus has been
discovered and fellowship practiced by local congregations
of the two church bodies. to exercise such loving and pastoral
care as recognizes the needs of God's people in the local congre-
gation and the will of the Synod expressed in this resolution:

4) implore the Synod at its 1975 convention to reassess this
entire question in the fear and love of God and with the ferrent
desire for a happy and God-pleasing resolution of this matter.

d. Instruct its representatives on the Commission on Fellow-
ship to intensify their efforts —

1) to reach a God-pleasing agreement at the denominational
level on the matter of ordaining women to the pastoral office;

2) to achieve and demonstrate a broadly based. multilevel
consensus in the doctrine of the authority of Holy Scripture and
the basis and nature of fellowship:

3) to arrive at a common position and practice on other
matters which have been referred to the Commission on Fellow-
ship, such as the lodge question and membership in ecumenical
organizations.

e. Implore the blessings and guidance of the Holy Spirit upon
the discussions between the two church bodies.

C. Germany (Selbstaendige Evangelisch-Lutherische
Kirche)

On June 25, 1972, three Lutheran Free Churches in Germany
participated in a merger which resulted in the formation of the
Selbstaendige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche (Independent
Lutheran Church). As was reported in the CTCR’s 1973 report,
the commission extended greetings to the new church and
expressed the hope that the necessary steps could be taken for
a formal declaration of fellowship with these former sister
churches. The leadership of the new church sent its constitution
and other pertinent documents which the commission examined
and found to be in agreement with the doctrinal position of The
Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. As a result the commission
recommended in 1973 that the Synod officially declare that it
is in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Selbstaendige Evan-
gelisch-Lutherische Kirche. However, Resolution 2-31 “To
Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Independent
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany” was for lack of
time not acted on by the convention. In response to the Board
of Directors’ referral of this resolution to the CTCR for “resub-
mission to convention” the commission recommends:

20. That the Synod in gratitude to God officially declare itself

to be in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Selbstaendige
Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche. thereby continuing the fellow-
ship it has enjoyed for many years with the member bodies of
the new church.

D. Lutheran Church of Australia

In its report to the 1973 convention the CTCR reviewed
contacts between The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod and
the Lutheran Church of Australia since its formation in 1965.
Already the Denver convention in 1969 authorized the President
of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod “‘to initiate discus-
sions with the Lutheran Church of Australia (at a mutually
accepted time) to the end of establishing altar and pulpit fellow-
ship” (1969 Resolution 3-03). A letter from President Max Lohe
in October 1972 indicated that the Lutheran Church of Australia
might now be ready to begin discussions looking forward to
fellowship. The commission adopted a resolution that expressed
the desire of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to enter
into discussions leading to altar and pulpit fellowship. President
Preus personally presented this resolution to the Commission
on Theology and Inter-Church Relations of the Lutheran Church
in Australia in February 1973. President Grope indicated that
the invitation was received with great appreciation. In response
to this recommendation of the CTCR, Resolution 2-27 that the
Synod express its ‘‘continued desire to establish altar and pulpit
fellowship with the Lutheran Church in Australia” was pre-
sented to the 1973 convention. Since this resolution was not
acted on for lack of time, it was referred back to the CTCR by
the Board of Directors. In July 1974 President Grope met
informally with President Preus in St. Louis and again expressed
the desire for a closer relationship between the Lutheran
Church of Australia and The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
and encouraged the consideration of confessional discussions
among Lutherans. The commission therefore recommends:

2la. That the Synod express its concurrence with President
Grope in desiring closer relationships between the LCMS and
the Lutheran Church of Australia and encouraging confessional
discussions among Lutherans.

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

E. Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Representatives of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod
met informally with representatives from the Evangelical
Lutheran Synod in Minneapolis in February 1975. Several
items were discussed, including the doctrinal controversy in
the LCMS and the possibilities of sharing of doctrinal statements
and resolutions with one another, of participating in free study
conferences, and of initiating formal discussions for the purpose
of restoring fellowship between the ELS and the LCMS. The
commission recommends:

22a. That the Synod give thanks to God for the opportunity
to meet with representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran
Synod and thank them for their expressions of concern regarding
our present doctrinal controversy.

b. That the Synod authorize and encourage its President, at
a mutually acceptable time. to facilitate continued discussions
with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

F. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Representatives of the LCMS met informally with represen-
tatives from the WELS in Milwaukee in September 1973. Dis-
cussion centered on an evaluation by the WELS of actions taken
by the New Orleans convention, including an expression of joy
and thanks for the positive step taken by the LCMS with respect
to the authority of Scripture. The meeting was friendly and
fraternal. We express our gratitude to God for the opportunity
to share concerns with members of the WELS.

G. Lutheran Church in America

Since the traditional position of the Lutheran Church in
America is that formal doctrinal discussions are unnecessary for
church bodies subscribing to the same Lutheran Confessions,
the CTCR endorsed the proposal of President Robert Marshall