Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 113
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 113

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 113

Resolved. That the Board of Directors be directed to provide
a subsidy for the Concordia Journal so that it may be sent with-
out cost to all pastors and teachers of the Synod through 1976:
and be it further

Resolved. That the Board of Directors be directed to provide
a subsidy to the Concordia Journal that will make it possible
to provide the Journal at a cost of not more than $5 per year
through 1977; and be it finally

Resolved. That the 1977 Synodical convention consider once
more the future subsidy needs of the Concordia Journal.

Board of Control

Concordia Seminary

St. Louis, Mo.

Ralph Bohlmann, Acting President

3-170
To Restudy Lodges

Trinity Lutheran Church of Paw Paw, Mich., respectfully
requests that the synodical Commission on Fraternal Organiza-
tions make a new and intensified study of the synodical position
on lodges and fraternal organizations in the light of continuing
changes in policies and procedures in the various lodges and
fraternal organizations. Specifically, we request a new evalua-
tion of the synodical policy over against the lodge known as
“Freemasonry.”

Trinity Lutheran Church
Paw Paw, Mich.

Maxwell Potter, President
D. C. Bertermann, Pastor

ELIM
3-175

To Ask Directors to Reconsider
Decision re ELIM

WHEREAS, It is better to correct the cause of a problem rather
than just suppress its symptoms; and

WHEREAS, The organization of ELIM at its very first meeting
declared: ‘‘In the name of Jesus Christ and for the sake of the
Gospel we protest the errant actions of the majority at the New
Orleans convention of the LCMS (2-12, 3-01, 3-09, 3-12A)": and

WHEREAS, The continuing goal of the organization ELIM,
through implementation of the above declaration, has been and
remains the reconciliation of the division within our Synod
caused by the actions of the New Orleans convention: there-
fore be it

Resolved. That the Board of Directors of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod reconsider its decision that ELIM
is divisive; and be it further

Resolved. That the Board of Directors be asked to deal with
the cause of the division within our Synod at its earliest possible
convenience by whatever legal means are available to it.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Milwaukee, Wis.

John Sivitz, Chairman
Beverly J. Fuchs, Secretary
David K. Rockrohr, Pastor

3-176A

To Rescind Judgment that
ELIM Is Divisive

WHEREAS, Balance Inc., Affirm publication, Doctrinal Con-
cerns Program, and many other similar organizations have
never been singled out by the Synod’s Board of Directors as
divisive; and

WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutherans in Mission (ELIM)
has been trying to serve as an effective witness within the Synod
under some very trying circumstances; and

WHEREAS. One-sided judgments of this kind by the chief
administrative board of our Synod only polarize the members
of the Synod rather than reconcile us: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod’s Board of Directors be instructed
to rescind its judgment of ELIM as divisive; and be it further

Resolved. That the Board for Higher Education be instructed
to lift its ban on ELIM activities by faculty members.

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

Identical or similar:
3-176B to 3-176E

University, Los Angeles, Calif.
Trinity, Carney’s Point, N. J.
Our Savior, Orlando, Fla.

Our Redeemer, Lake City, Fla.

Roger Timm
Gerald Grimm
Samuel Hoard

James Bachman

3-177

To Recognize ELIM

WHEREAS. The members of ELIM have repeatedly stated
their desire to remain members of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod: and

WHEREAS. The members of ELIM have repeatedly stated
that their actions of protest are based on a love for the Synod
that firmly believes the Synod to be in error on certain judg-
ments, resolutions, and actions: and

WHEREAS, ELIM exists solely to call the Synod’s attention
to these judgments, resolutions, and actions it believes to be
errors and to call upon the Synod to correct these errors and
to call upon the Synod to reevaluate itself in certain areas of
doctrine and practice; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod recognize ELIM simply as an
organized group of brothers and sisters within the Synod which
has specific areas of concern for the Synod; and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod discontinue defining and under-
standing ELIM as a “church within a church” with the purpose
of dividing the Synod.

Ev. Lutheran Church of Our Saviour
Mineola, N. Y.

Fred Herpel, Secretary

John J. Marschhausen, Pastor

3-178A

To Accept Evangelical
Lutherans in Mission

WHEREAS, Evangelical Lutherans in Mission has stated that
its intent is not be divisive but rather to call the Synod to judg-
ment where necessary and to serve as an evangelical leaven
in the Synod and to provide protection of pastors, teachers,
and congregations in the performance of their duties and the
maintenance of their rights; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod hear the judgments of Evangelical
Lutherans in Mission against the Synod; and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod exert every influence to reverse
legalistic actions that have been taken in the Synod and imple-
ment the objects of the Synod regarding “the protection of
pastors, teachers, and congregations in the performance of
their duties and the maintenance of their rights’? (Handbook.
p. 16); and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod accept the continuing activity of
Evangelical Lutherans in Mission until said group has accom-
plished its task within the Synod.

Grace Lutheran Church
Boulder, Colo.

James Kittelberger, President
Cynthia DeGreve, Secretary
Norbert E. Hattendorf, Pastor