LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 185

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ADMINISTRATION 185

to find a God-pleasing expression of the unity the Lord longs for
in His church.

We in Lutheran Church—Canada have pledged our best
effort to this goal. And we are encouraged that the Synod has
assured us of its blessings in these negotiations (Denver, 3-17:
Milwaukee, 3-09). But we are troubled that the Synod has not
yet moved to resolve the constitutional question, i. e., how could
the Synod declare itself in fellowship with a portion of a church
(LCA —Canada Section) when it does not enjoy fellowship with
the church body as a whole (LCA)? Further, we wonder wheth-
er it would be possible or fair for the entire membership of the
Synod to decide whether a basis for fellowship and merger
exists when only a relatively small percentage of the member-
ship (LC--C) will have been exposed to the dialogue required
for the experience of consensus. We believe the simplest solu-
tion would be for the Synod to grant LC—C the authority not
only to negotiate fellowship and merger, but also to consummate
that fellowship and merger if and when, by the Spirit's grace,
we arrive at and affirm the consensus that undergirds true
unity. To that end, our LC—C convention passed the following
resolution (1-01): and since we are not authorized to submit
memorials to the Synod, we include it here in the hope that it
will be picked up by the appropriate floor committee:

WHEREAS, The Evangelical Iutheran Church of Canada, in
convention in 1972, issued an invitation to The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod in Canada and to the LCA-— Canada Section
to enter into official negotiations for merger: and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Church—Canada, an administrative
unit, has been encouraged by the President of the Synod to
enter into negotiations toward mergers with Lutheran bodies
in Canada: and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Church—Canada in convention (1973)
unanimously declared its readiness to enter into negotiations
toward one Lutheran Church in Canada: and

WHEREAS, The Bylaws of the Synod require that the Synod
authorize consummation of merger negotiations (1.21): and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention in 1965 (Resolution 3-04)
has stated that the responsibility of working toward the estab-
lishing of pulpit and altar fellowship ... and of publicly declaring
it when the necessary conditions have been fulfilled rests pri-
marily on the churches in a given area: therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod, in
convention in Anaheim, be asked to authorize Lutheran Church
—Canada to enter into merger with other Lutheran bodies in
Canada after consensus sufficient for fellowship has been
reached and after approval for merger has been given by the
three geographic Districts of The Lutheran Church -— Missouri
Synod in Canada: and be it further

Resolved, That any necessary changes in the Bylaws of the
Synod be made as required to effect this: and be it further

Resolved, That this action of the Lutheran Church —Canada
convention at Calgary, Alta. (April 1-3, 1975) be referred to the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations and to the ap-
propriate floor committee of the Synod prior to the Anaheim
convention by the President of Lutheran Church— Canada or
his representative.

IV. Identity and Status: Administrative Unit

In 1965 the Synod in convention granted LC —C the status
of an administrative unit intended to function “in those areas of
church work mutually agreed upon by The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church— Canada” (Detroit, 4-28).

In retrospect it seems that neither the Synod nor LC —C fully
explored the status, rights, and privileges conferred in that
action. While LC—C’s Bylaws provide for committees on mis-
sions, higher education, college and university work, public
relations, etc., the lines of relationship between the Synod and
the Canadian Districts show little recognition of LC—C’s exis-
tence as an administrative unit. Even the Synod’s Bylaws (1.27
a 2) bypass LC —C in listing those entitled to submit overtures to
a convention of the Synod. Should not LC—C be entitled to the
same privilege as other administrative units of the Synod (e.g,
boards, commissions, and councils)?

Obviously these and other considerations point to the need
for greater consultation with appropriate synodical personnel
to explore and identify more clearly the ways in which LC—C

can function more effectively as an administrative unit for our
church in Canada.
Conclusion

Once again we express our appreciation for the confidence
and support given LC-—C. not only by the Canadian constit-
uency but also by the Synod through its appropriate boards and
officers.

May the Lord of the church instill in us all a greater sense of
joy and urgency in finding better ways to carry out the mullti-
faceted mission entrusted to us. To Him alone the glory!

Louis N. Scholl, President
George Rode, Secretary
Philip Fry

Robert Pippus

Henry Baker

Albin Stanfel

4-15

To Transfer Sherman Park, Milwaukee.
to English District

WHEREAS. Sherman Park Ev. Lutheran Church, 2703
N. Sherman Bivd.. Milwaukee. Wis.. resolved in a parish
meeting on Tuesday. May 28, 1974. that it wishes to rejuin the
English District: and

WHEREAS. Sherman Park Ev. Lutheran Church has made a
request to the South Wisconsin District to be transferred to the
English District: and

WHEREAS. Transfer of a congregation from one District to

another must be approved by the Synod in convention (see
Handbook 3.05): therefore be it

Resolved, That upon synodical approval Sherman Park Ev.
Lutheran Church be transferred to the English District.

South Wisconsin District
Robert A. Schmidt. Secretary

4-16

To Transfer Lutheran Chapel of the
Cross, Milwaukee, to South
Wisconsin District

WHEREAS. Lutheran Chapel of the Cross. 3353 South Whitnall
Ave., Milwaukee. Wis.. resolved that it can best serve the
church in the South Wisconsin District: and

WHEREAS. The Lutheran Chapel of the Cross has made a
request to the English District to be transferred to the South
Wisconsin District: and

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the South Wisconsin
District resolved in its Nov. 8. 1973, meeting to receive Lutheran
Chapel of the Cross into the District: and

WHEREAS. Transfer of a congregation from one District to

another must be approved by the Synod in convention (see
Handbook 3.05): therefore be it

Resolved. That upon synodical approval Lutheran Chapel
of the Cross be welcomed into the South Wisconsin District.

South Wisconsin District
Robert A. Schmidt. Secretary

4-17

To Transfer Trinity, Hammond, Ind.,
from English to Indiana District

WHEREAS. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ham-
mond, Ind.. in a special voters’ meeting of June 3, 1974. resolved
that it can best serve the Lord by transferring its membership
to the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri
Synod: and