LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 81

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 81

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions has since its adoption indicated areas where A Statement
needs to be reworded or clarified; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod in convention at Anaheim rescind
Resolution 3-01 or offer the convention the opportunity to revise
A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles as sug-
gested by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.

Lutheran Church of The Messiah
Saginaw, Mich.

Harold K. Sawyers, President
Alice Daugherty, Secretary

Paul Bramstedt, Pastor

3-61

To Seek Clarification of Status of
“A Statement” and to Guard
Against Misuse

WHEREAS, The adoption by the New Orleans convention of
Resolution 2-12, “To Understand Article II of the Synod’s
Constitution as Requiring the Formulation and Adoption of
Synodical Doctrinal Statements,” and 3-01, ‘“‘To Adopt ‘A State-
ment,’ ’’ were actions that in the opinion of many Ohio District
members represented a significant departure from the Synod’s
declared policies of the past; and

WHEREAS, The adoption of these resolutions was vigorously
opposed by a very significant minority of the delegates at the
New Orleans convention; and

WHEREAS, After the New Orleans convention many of the
Synod’s members have voiced strong misgivings with regard
to the correctness, the wisdom, the charity, and the constitu-
tionality of these resolutions; and

WHEREAS, Many of the Synod’s members have objected to
these resolutions on the basis that such actions have the effect
of amending the Synod’s Constitution without following the
proper procedures for amending the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The upholding of these resolutions by the Com-
mission on Constitutional Matters of the Synod has accentuated
the division that had already existed; and

WHEREAS, There seems to be a lot of confusion in the Synod
with regard to the use of the terms “binding” and “binding on
conscience” as applied to doctrinal statements; and

WHEREAS, Experience since the New Orleans convention
indicates that it would be wise for the Synod to take more time
to consider and reconsider and to allow ample time for dis-
cussion of any resolution intended to serve as ‘‘a more formal
statement of belief”; therefore be it

Resolved. That the District question the validity of the ruling
of the CCM with regard to Resolutions 2-12 and 3-01.

Ohio District
Carl A. Brummé, Secretary

3-62A
To Declare “A Statement” Not Binding

WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters, in
receipt of objections to the adoption of A Statement on constitu-
tional grounds, has ruled that doctrinal statements, to wit,
Resolution 3-01, do not constitute a revision or addition to
Article II of the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions in its ‘Report on Dissent’”’ published in September 1974
has endorsed this position and especially the proposal offered
to study proposed changes to the Handbook: and

WHEREAS, The provisions of the Handbook for adding to or
clarifying the confessional stance of our church are clearly
defined in the provisions for modifying Article II; and

WHEREAS, The practice of adopting doctrinal resolutions by
simple majority vote has been distressing the Synod and has
contributed to the unrest within the synodical fellowship, par-
ticularly when it is stated: “Indeed, insofar as such resolutions

are in accord with the Scriptures, they are binding on those
who accept Article II of the Synod’s Constitution” (Res. 2-12,
New Orleans); therefore be it

Resolved. That New Orleans Resolution 3-01 is officially
acknowledged as not modifying or adding to Article II and
therefore not binding upon members of the Synod: and be it
further

Resolved. That we encourage the adoption of doctrinal
statements, pertinent to the issues of our day, for theological
discussion and study; however, all doctrinal statements that are
to bind the members of the Synod shall be so identified and
adopted, using the procedures established by Article XIV, even
though these statements are not to enjoy the status of Article II.

Lutheran Church of the Ascension
Burnsville, Minn.

Leo L. Bosh, President

Barbara C. Puch, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-62B

Board of Directors, Atlantic District R. Ressmeyer

3-63A

To Test Whether Synod Really Wants
Confessional Basis Interpreted or
Changed as Resolutions 2-12 and 3-01
Attempt to Do

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Constitution in Article XIV clearly
spells out procedures to be followed for any possible “‘changes
in, and amendments to, the Constitution,” stating that at a con-
vention where such changes or amendments are proposed
“a two-thirds majority of all votes cast” (by voting delegates)
“shall be necessary for adoption,” and ‘amendments to the
Constitution of the Synod shall’be submitted directly to each
voting congregation of the Synod on an official ballot... . The
proposed amendment shall become effective . . . provided a
two-thirds majority of the votes cast within that period shall
have favored the amendment”; and

WHEREAS. Many members and congregations of the Synod
believe that New Orleans Resolutions 2-12 and 3-01, adopted
by about a 56%-44% vote of delegates at the convention, have
the very real effect of changing or amending the confessional
basis of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Many members and congregations of the Synod
do not accept as valid the reasoning used in these resolutions
and in subsequent presentations by those favoring these reso-
lutions, as though these resolutions do not change the Synod’s
confessional basis but merely interpret it, and as though there-
fore Article XIV does not apply; and

WHEREAS, Resolutions 2-12, 3-01, and the concepts contained
in them have a potential for being misused as a foundation for
other resolutions and actions to be built upon them and may be
used as a ‘‘new standard of orthodoxy” in measuring the per-
missible or nonpermissible theological position of people who
joyfully subscribe to Article II of our Constitution;

Therefore in the interest of peace and harmony in the Synod,
Redeemer Lutheran Congregation, Burnsville, Minn., petitions
the Synod at its Anaheim convention to pass resolutions re-
quiring in this controverted situation —

a) that, whether required or not required to do so, the Synod
make use of the procedure outlined in Article XIV of our
Constitution in order to test whether the Synod really wants its
confessional basis interpreted or changed as done by N. O.
Resolutions 2-12 and 3-01;

b) that it be ascertained at the Anaheim convention whether
two thirds of the voting delegates at that convention favor the
way Resolutions 2-12 and 3-01 interpret or change our con-
fessional basis;

c) that if there are not that many delegates (2/3) who favor
the way N.O. Resolution 2-12 and 3-01 interpret or change our