LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 82

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82 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

confessional basis. these resolutions be rescinded and declared
not in effect.

d) that if 2/3 of the voting delegates do hold that N. O. Resolu-
tions 2-12 and 3-01 either interpreted our confessional basis or
change our confessional basis as they believe it should be, then
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article XIV of Synod’s Constitution be
made use of, to see whether two-thirds of the congregation
favor such interpretations or change. If two thirds of the dele-
gates and two thirds of the congregations favor such interpreta-
tions or change, there should be no doubt where the Synod
stands, and if two thirds of the delegates and two thirds of the
congregations are not ready to favor such interpretation or
change. this should also say something.

Redeemer Lutheran Church
Burnsville, Minn.

Roger Boelter, Chairman
Darlene Kriewall. Secretary
Henry L. Lieske, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-63B and 3-63C

Peace, New Berlin, Wis.
St. Timothy. Portland, Oreg.

Martin Bangert
Donald Maier

3-644
To Restudy “A Statement of
Scriptural and Confessional Principles”

WHEREAS, The first object of the 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)" (LCMS Constitution, Article III, 1): and

WHEREAS, To that end, the Synod resolved (Resolution 5-24.
Milwaukee, 1971) to “distinguish between resolutions con-
cerning doctrine formulated and adopted at a convention and
more formal statements of belief which are produced by officially
authorized groups, and which are then presented to the con-
gregations and clergy of the Synod for study and discussion”:
and

WHEREAS, A Statement was produced by the President of
the Synod as a guideline for the St. Louis seminary Board of
Control and was thus not produced by an officially authorized
group nor presented to the congregations and clergy of the
Synod for study and discussion with a view to adopting it as a
more formal statement of belief: and

WHEREAS. In the interest of promoting the true unity of the
faith and striving toward reconciliation under the Scriptures
and the Lutheran Confessions in unequivocal accord with
Article II of the Synod's Constitution, it is desirable to formulate
doctrinal statements that clearly set forth the teachings of Holy
Scripture and apply them to issues of our day; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Northwest District, meeting in conven-
tion June 21-23, 1974, recognize A Statement as a duly adopted
resolution of the Synod (Resolution 3-01, New Orleans, 1973)
which we honor and uphold insofar as it is in accord with the
Scriptures and the pattern of doctrine set forth in the Lutheran
Symbols but that the Northwest District petition the Synod,
meeting in convention in Anaheim, to remove A Statement from
the status of a “more formal and comprehensive statement of
belief” (Resolution 5-24, Milwaukee, 1971) until it can be re-
studied: and be it further

Resolved. That A Statement be resubmitted to a representa-
tive, qualified group (appointed by the President of the Synod
in consultation with the Council of Presidents) officially au-
thorized by the Synod thoroughly to restudy A Statement and
the issues involved and on that basis produce a “more formal
and comprehensive statement of belief” to address in particular
the controversial issues for the church's witness to itself and
to the world: and be it further

Resolved. That the statement of belief thus prepared be
presented to the congregations and clergy of the Synod for study
and discussion with a view to adoption by the Synod in accor-
dance with established constitutional procedures of the Synod:
and be it further

Resolved. That this resolution be carried out in a patient,
tolerant, understanding. and conciliatory manner for the build-
ing of a more unified Synod: and be it finally

Resolved. That all members of the Synod be encouraged to
examine their own understanding of Scripture and its interpre-
tation and application and recommit themselves by the power of
the Holy Spirit to faithful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ
and to the Scriptures as the wholly reliable, fully authoritative
written Word of God that as people of God they ‘may be com-
plete. equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Northwest District
Emil G. Jaech, President
D. C. Schroeder, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-64B and 3-64C

Missouri District
Texas Pastors-Teachers Conference 3

Herman Scherer
Katherine Bolland

3-65

To Constitute Special Network |
of Committees Toward Reconciliation

WHEREAS. All members of our Synod have voluntarily agreed
to walk together under Article II of our Constitution; and

WHEREAS. The memorials submitted to our District conven-
tion (Northern Illinois) reflect the dissent, polarization, and con-
troversy surrounding Resolution 3-01 of New Orleans conven-
tion; and

WHEREAS. Our Synod has been escalating into a series of
crises that have disrupted our living together as sisters and
brothers in Christ; and

WHEREAS. The synodical conflict has taken its toll in the
draining of energies, the diversion of mission, the breakdown
of trust, and the disruption of people's lives: and

WHEREAS. The theological and personal issues reflected
in these struggles are serious and need time. mutual trust,
skill. and understanding to be resolved: and

WHEREAS. Questions have arisen as to the original intent,
the constitutionality, and the subsequent use of New Orleans
3-01; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters pro-
poses “to recommend to the 1975 Convention the appointment
of a special committee to draft a proposed addition to the
Handbook in order to set forth clearly: a) the status of doc-
trinal statements as distinct from the Scriptures and the Lu-
theran Confessions: b) the procedures for the adoption of such
statements: c) the procedures for proper expression of dissent
and possible revision’; therefore be it

Resolved. That we confess our trust and hope in Jesus Christ
as the Lord of history and the only Lord of His church, to whose
judgment and mercy we commit ourselves and each other: and
be it further

Resolved. That we, without pronouncing judgment as to its
content, purpose, or intended use, urge the synodical conven-
tion to reconsider Resolution 3-01 of the New Orleans conven-
tion and to seek another way to promote “confession and pro-
motion of the unity of the true faith as a united defense against
schism and sectarianism”; and be it further

Resolved. That the convention recognize that there should
be no effort to have A Statement formally and individually sub-
scribed to by the members of the Synod. The members of the
Synod are expected to subscribe formally only to the Holy
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. Those who disagree
with the doctrinal content of a synodical statement of belief such
as A Statement owe it to the Synod to demonstrate from the Holy
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions that the doctrinal
statement either does not correctly apply the Scriptures and the
Confessions to the questions with which it deals or that the
statement fails to leave questions open which are not settled
by the Scriptures themselves: and be it further

Resolved. That as a part of the healing process and in the