LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 67

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 67

Resolved. That we humbly make personal confession of only
our own personal pride, fears, prejudices, resentments, jealousy,
greed for power, stubborn personality clashes. and ulterior
motives. No preaching at others, no justifying of one’s own
position on this day:

Resolved. That we pray and individually at the mike or in
small groups collectively, led by the convention chaplain, silently
as individuals at our seats, and collectively in songs of prayer,
praise, and thanksgiving (Phil. 4: 1 Thess. 5):

Resolved. That we fast. with each delegate and each member
of the Synod everywhere urged to sacrifice at least one meal
and all coffee breaks on this day:

Resolved. That all statements be anonymous —

Nobody gives his name at the mike or in smal! groups

Nobody is quoted by name in the press of this day’s sharing:

Resolved. That we anticipate that God will not take sides but
take over His church with Christ as the Head of the body. We
anxiously await His solution plus the grace, love, humility, and
forgiveness to live with that solution whatever may happen to
the human organization of the Synod:

Resolved. That we thank the Lord for our synodical problems
which drive us to this day of humiliation, prayer, and fasting.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Waukegan, III.

Richard Sturgeon, President
Brad Reay. Secretary

3-14A

To Live Under the Gospel
of Reconciliation

WHEREAS. Christ is the Head of the church and we are the
members; and

WHEREAS. Unresolved disputes, unresolved charges, and
unreconciled brothers and sisters of Christ are to the glory of
Satan and all powers opposed to the kingdom of God: therefore
be it

Resolved. That we wholeheartedly pray for the spirit of
peaceful reconciliation and completely exercise this spiritual
gift in the spheres of our influence as God wills: and be it further

Resolved. That we strongly urge in the name of the Holy
Spirit peoples of different opinions and convictions to live under
the Gospel of reconciliation for the glory of the Triune God.

St. Paul Lutheran Church — St. Paul Lutheran Church
Rugby, N. Dak. Willow City, N. Dak.
Eric C. Stumpf, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-14B to 3-14E

Zion, Westwood, N. J.

Trinity, Des Moines, lowa

Prince of Peace, Waukegan, Ill.
Hales Corners, Hales Corners, Wis.

Norman Brinkmann
Robert Tewes
Melvin Meyer

D. A. Brunette
3-15A

To Work Evangelically for Elimination
of Need for All Factional Groups

WHEREAS. The formation and activity of factional groups to
promote divergent views of church teachings and practices has
resulted in loss of trust, purpose, fellowship, and mission in the
Synod; and

WHEREAS. Under the cross of Jesus Christ. ideally, there is
no need for Balance, Inc., Affirm, Doctrinal Concerns Program,
ELIM, Missouri in Perspective, Partners in Mission, or any simi-
lar organizations, publications, and activities: and

WHEREAS, The efforts to restrict one faction without working
to eliminate the need for all of them have resulted in painful
division, job loss, resignations, exile, destruction of careers,
congregational splits, loss of mission motion, and many other
tragedies; therefore be it

Resolved. That all leaders and members of the Synod be
charged with the responsibility of phasing out the need for all
factional groups with love rather than attempting to rule out
any minority factions with power: and be it further

Resolved. That we work toward reconciling our church's
problems with love and toward eliminating the need for any
groups like those mentioned above in the second whereas:
and be it further

Resolved. That the viewpoints of large minorities in Synod be
respected and encouraged as well as current majority view-
points: and be it further

Resolved. That all leaders of the Synod be called upon to
carry out their responsibilities evangelically and pastorally with
due consideration for all sides of controversial issues (not just
responding to one side, even it if be a majority); and be it further

Resolved. That we recognize that divergent viewpoints may
often be blessings and opportunities rather than a cause for
division among a people who are one in Christ, one in commit-
ment to Scripture, and one in adherence to the Lutheran
Confessions: and be it further

Resolved. That we encourage one another not to give up the
hope for reconciliation: and be it finally

Resolved. That we continue to pray in earnest for God's
Spirit to effect what we cannot do by ourselves—bring about
a reconciliation that eliminates the need for factions and allows
us to walk together again once more in love and trust with all
our brothers and sisters in the Synod.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Long Island City, N. Y.
Ralph E. Savadge. President
Patricia Herrmann. Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-15B to 3-15H

University, Los Angeles. Calif.
Holy Cross, Springfield, N. J.
Mount Olive, Chicago. Ill.
Hope, Rochester, N. Y.
Gloria Dei, Potsdam, N. Y.
Zion, Bensenville, IH.

St. Michael’s, La Grange Park, IIl.

Roger Timm
Joel Yoss
Norman Bumby
Arthur Dueker
Theo. Schulze
Tyrus Miles

W. Bakewicz

3-16

To Call for Unity and Recommitment
to Christ's Mission

WHEREAS. God the Father has called us into the fellowship of
Jesus Christ in which there is one Baptism, one faith, one Lord,
one Spirit, one God and Father of all; and

WHEREAS. The Scriptures repeatedly describe this fellow-
ship as the body of Christ with a variety of members, gifts,
abilities, perspectives, and functions: and

WHEREAS. The same Scriptures warn against any attitude or
action which would move one member of the body to despise
or reject another part of the body: and

WHEREAS. The same Scriptures call upon all Christians to
live together in the unity and peace which the Spirit gives; and

WHEREAS. One of the stated objectives of the Missouri Synod
is “the conservation and promotion of the unity of the true faith
(Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism and
sectarianism (Rom. 16:17),” Article III 1: and

WHEREAS. The lack of unity and peace among the members
of our Synod has not only been demoralizing to many as individ-
uals but an active hindrance to our corporate and synodical
mission in the world: therefore be it

Resolved, That the members of the Northwest District of the
LCMS repent to the Lord of the church for allowing our life
together to become caught up in dissension, jealousies, party
intrigues, and behavior unbecoming for members of the same
body of Christ: and be it further

Resolved, That the members of the Northwest District of the
LCMS implore the Lord of the church for His forgiveness and