LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 120

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

120 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

(B-3) “to provide a structure for those of like mind to stand
and work together”:

(B-4) “to provide a means for dissent to erring actions of the
convention’”’:

(B-5) “to provide a way of staying within the Synod while
working to correct what we perceive to be mistakes”:

(B-6) “‘to provide tangible support, including financial sup-
port, to those whose ministries are in jeopardy”; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Board of Directors has concluded
that the activities of ELIM are divisive and have the potential
for division in the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Michigan District in convention concurs
with the Synod’s Board of Directors that ELIM is divisive and
that membership in ELIM constitutes a conflict of interest with
membership in the Synod; and be it further

Resolved. That we deplore the harsh judgment of ELIM
against our fellow Christians in the Synod, which implies denial
of both the Gospel and the efficacy of refreshment of salvation
within our fellowship; and be it further

Resolved. That we urge those members supportive of ELIM
to recognize that this organization has had a disruptive effect
on the Synod; and be it further

Resolved. That Michigan District officers, executives, and/or
board members supportive of ELIM are urgently requested to
desavow any affiliation with this organization; and be it further

Resolved. That any Michigan District officers, executives,
and/or board members who are determined to maintain affilia-
tion with ELIM disqualify themselves from the office they hold
in the Michigan District; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage all within the Michigan District
who are involved in the activities of ELIM to refrain from any
further disturbance of our church; and be it further

Resolved. That we urge all who are sympathetic toward
some of the activities of ELIM but do not support the harsh
judgments of ELIM toward Synod, to refrain from any further
activities that tend to destroy the unity of our church; and be
it finally

Resolved. That the Michigan District recommend to the
Anaheim convention in 1975 that all who continue their active
support for ELIM be declared ineligible for synodical office or
divine call into the preaching and teaching ministries of The
Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod.

Michigan District
Howard H. Kramer, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-196B to 3-196F

Concordia, Azusa, Calif. Wm. Schnute
St. John’s, Horicon, Wis. Donald Heck
Trinity, Sturgis, Mich. Erwin Ruhlig
St. Luke’s, San Jose, IIl. A. C. Kralimann
Redeemer, Lebanon, Conn. Karl Blake

3-197A

To Declare ELIM and Membership
in ELIM Unconstitutional

WHEREAS, The organization known as Evangelical Lutherans
in Mission (ELIM) is a legally incorporated entity claiming tax-
exempt status under the law; and

WHEREAS, ELIM has appropriated to itself most of the
objectives of a synod:

a) the claim that its purpose is to preserve the Gospel:
b) the establishment of a mission agency;
c) the training of pastors;

d) the publication of a religious newspaper and other
materials;

e) the direct solicitation of funds;

f) the protection of professional church workers and of
congregations; and

WHEREAS, ELIM has openly, repeatedly, and without re-
traction accused the New Orleans convention of the Synod and
the administration of the Synod and of several of its agencies
of the gravest ecclesiastical crimes:

a) “binding consciences in a way contrary to our constitution
and contrary to the nature of the Gospel’’ (ELIM Statement,
Sept. 25, 1973);

b) “a legalistic, non-Gospel oriented theology” (Elwyn
Ewald, ELIM executive, Feb. 7, 1974, address at Concordia
Teachers College, River Forest)

c) placing the mission of the Gospel in jeopardy (Walter
Meyer, ELIM assembly, August 1974)

d) steering ‘‘a disaster course away from evangelical theol-
ogy and practice’ (Samuel Roth, ELIM assembly, August 1974)

e) having structures that are “hopelessly corrupt” and lead-
ership that is “morally bankrupt” (John Tietjen, ELIM assembly,
Aug. 26, 1974); and

WHEREAS, The ELIM Director of Development in a letter to
the congregations of the Synod has questioned whether the
Synod ‘is deserving of our continued support” (Letter of
Walter H. Meyer, Oct. 17, 1974); and

WHEREAS, ELIM has in violation of synodical Handbook
Section IV B affirmed the right of congregations to call and
ordain for the ministry workers who have not been properly
certified (Resolution 74-10 of ELIM assembly, August 1974): and

WHEREAS, ELIM has declared its membership in a “state of
protest” over against the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Efforts at conciliation of many kinds on the part
of the synodical President, the synodical Board of Directors, the
Board for Missions, and the Council of District Presidents have
not Scripturally demonstrated that the Synod’s position is con-
trary to Scripture and the Confessions or produced either a
withdrawal from the theological position which underlies the
problem ELIM has with the Synod nor have they produced
from ELIM leadership any public withdrawal of its stringent
charges against the Synod, nor have they produced any pledge
from ELIM to live according to the mutual covenant known as
the synodical Constitution and Bylaws; and

WHEREAS, Any further extension of this conflict will only
further damage the work of the Synod and eventually destroy
the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
assembled in convention, declare officially that ELIM or any
similar organization is a church within a church, working at
cross purposes to the Synod; and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod call upon the membership of
ELIM to dissolve the corporation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod regretfully direct that no member
of ELIM be permitted to serve in any capacity in the Synod or
its agencies, including its seminaries, colleges, and high schools;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod instruct its Districts that no member
of ELIM may hold any office in any District of the Synod, either
appointive or elective; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod declare that no member of ELIM
may be a lay or pastoral delegate at a circuit meeting, a District
convention, or a synodical convention; and be it further

Resolved, That any congregation served by pastors and
teachers who are members of ELIM admonish said pastors and
teachers to leave ELIM; and be it further

Resolved, That any pastors or teachers who refuse to disas-
sociate themselves from ELIM be declared to be self-excluded
from the public preaching or teaching ministry of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That members of ELIM be given a 3-month period
of grace before this resolution becomes effective.

Bethel Ev. Lutheran Church
Westmont, II.

Donald R. Staffeld, Chairman
John Mahler, Secretary