LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 433

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actively engaged in preparing worship materials for use
in our church by all persons, male and female: there-
fore be it

Resolved, That we call attention to the concern of
Overture 2-114 and refer them to the Synod’s Commis-
sion on Worship,

To Continue Participation in Meetings
of the Consultation on Lutheran Unity

RESOLUTION 2-09
Report 2-01, II, E (CW, p.35)

Wuereas, The President of the Synod, in consulta-
tion with the Commission on Theology and Church Re-
lations, was directed to appoint four representatives to
the discussions of the committee recommended by the
Inter-Lutheran Consultation (1971 Proceedings, Res.
3-26): and

Wuereas, Four representatives of the Synod have
been appointed by the President of the Synod in con-
sultation with the CTCR: and

WHEREAS, The appointed representatives of the Synod
have participated in meetings of the Consultation on
Lutheran Unity and reported to the President of the
Synod and the CTCR: and

Whereas, Further meetings of the Consultation on
Lutheran Unity are scheduled: therefore be it

Resolved, That our representatives to the Consulta-
tion on Lutheran Unity continue to be guided by the
principles set forth in 1971 Proceedings, Res. 3-26; and
be it further

Resolved, That the representatives keep the Presi-
dent of the Synod and the CTCR informed of the
progress of the Consultation on Lutheran Unity; and be
it finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod keep the
Synod informed of the progress of these meetings.

To Withhold Action Regarding Membership
in the National Council of the Churches
of Christ and the World Council of Churches

RESOLUTION 2-10

Report 2-01, Section II, H; Overtures 2-160 point (“Re-
solved”) 1, 2-162, 2-163 (CW, pp. 35—36, 93—94)

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
in past conventions has declined to apply for member-
ship in the NCC and WCC (Milwaukee Res. 3-07, Den-
ver Res. 3-04); and

Wuereas, The CTCR is continuing to study the oper-
ations and structural changes of both organizations in
order to give a detailed report and recommendations to
a future convention; and

Wuereas, No overtures have been introduced to this
convention to join either the NCC or WCC: therefore
be it

Resolved, That the CTCR continue to keep itself in-
formed concerning both the NCC and WCC: and be it
further

Resolved, That no further action be taken concern-
ing membership in the NCC and WCC.

To Decline Lutheran World Federation
Membership

RESOLUTION 2-11

Report 2-01, I], G; Appendix E; Overtures 2-153, 2-154
point 1, 2-155, 2-156, 2-157 (CW, pp. 35, 40—42, 91—92)

Whereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at
Milwaukee, 1971, requested “Synod's CTCR carefully to
Teview and evaluate the papers, reports, and recommen~
dations of the LWF Fifth Assembly” (Res. 3-06): and

Wuereas, The CTCR has fulfilled this responsibility
in its document entitled “Evian in Retrospect” (p. 40 ff.),
and its recommendations to this convention (cf. CW,
p. 35): therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod keep in contact with de-
velopments of the LWF by being represented in the role
of observer at meetings and by other means, and that the
Synod's President keep the membership informed of
developments: and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod respectfully decline to
make application for membership in the LWF at this
time,

REFERRED RESOLUTIONS

To Continue Discussion
with the Lutheran Church in America

RESOLUTION 2-13

Report 2-01. IT. D; Overtures 2-144A through 2-150
(CW, pp. 35, 89—90)
Preamble

1971 Proceedings, Resolution 3-14, asked the Presi-
dent of the Synod in conjunction with the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations “to assure the Lu-
theran Church in America of our readiness to meet
officially with a view toward finding the agreement in
doctrine necessary for the establishing of pulpit and
altar fellowship.” Discussions have been held under the
aegis of the Lutheran Council in the USA through its
Division of Theological Studies. Representatives of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and the Lutheran
Church in America are presently engaged in these dis-
cussions. Additional meetings have been scheduled for
1973 and 1974.

Wuereas, Formal doctrinal discussions are still im-
peded by the traditional position of the Lutheran Church
in America that formal doctrinal talks are unnecessary
for church bodies subscribing the same Confessions: and
been

WHEREAS, Agreement in doctrine has not

reached; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline the overtures
that ask the Synod to declare fellowship with the Lu-
theran Church in America: and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod express its appreciation for the discussions that
have been held to date with representatives of the Lu-
theran Church in America: and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its President. in
consultation with the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, to seek additional opportunities for
multilevel doctrinal discussions with the Lutheran
Church in America which include a discussion of the
meaning of our mutual subscription to the Scriptures
and the Confessions: and be it finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod and the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations be re-
quested to report to the Synod on the progress and re-
sults of these discussions.

To Continue Study of National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the U.S. A.

RESOLUTION 2-14

Report 2-01, I], H; Overtures 2-160, 2-161 (CW, pp. 35—
36, 93—94)

Whereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
at Denver. 1969. requested the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations to study “the basis, structure, and
operations of the National Council of Churches of Christ
in the U.S.A.” (Res. 3-06), and again at Milwaukee,
1971, “to continue to study this matter” (Res. 3-07):
and

Wuereas, The President of the Synod responded to
an NCC invitation and requested the Executive Secre-
tary of the CTCR to be an official observer to the 1972
NCC Assembly: and

Whereas, With the approval! of the CTCR, the Ex-
ecutive Secretary accepted an appointment to the Faith
and Order Commission of the NCC, to gain firsthand in-
formation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod request the CTCR to con-
tinue its study of the NCC, and be it further

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures
2-160, point 2, and 2-161.

To Warn and Provide Guidance
Concerning the Charismatic Movement

RESOLUTION 2-15
Report 2-01, I, B; Overture 2-87 (CW, pp. 30, 72—73)

WHEREAS, Some members of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod have become involved in the charismatic
movement; and

Wuereas, The influence of the charismatic movement
has caused dissension in several Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod congregations: and

Wuereas, The movement is characterized by em-
phasis on the “charismatic gifts.” by unionistic worship

433

practices, and by de-emphasis of other scriptural doc-
trines, such as the means of grace and justification by
faith alone: and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations has released a position paper. “The Charis-
matic Movement and Lutheran Theology,” which eval-
uates the charismatic movement on the basis of the
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions: therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod warn its members about the dangers of the
charismatic movement: and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod commend the position pa-
per, “The Charismatic Movement and Lutheran The-
ology.” to its members for reference, study, and guid-
ance: and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations in conjunction with their further
studies prepare additional specific guidance for the use
of congregations in dealing with the charismatic move-
ment: and be it finally

Resolved, That when problems arise from church
members’ involvement in the charismatic movement,
church officers and congregations exercise brotherly ad-
monition and discipline as prescribed in the Scriptures.

To Decline Funding
of ‘Concordia Theological Monthly” by Synod

RESOLUTION 2-16
Overture 2-96, Second Resolve (CW, p. 75)

Wuereas, The Concordia Theological Monthly is not
an official organ of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod: therefore be it

Resolved, That the policy of not funding the CTM
from the synodical treasury be continued and that Over-
ture 2-96, the second resolve, be respectfully declined.

To Establish Closer Liaison Re Doctrinal
Supervision at Valparaiso University

RESOLUTION 2-17
Overture 2-39 (CW, pp. 59-60)

Whereas, The teaching of religion at Valparaiso Uni-
versity is a matter of vital concern to The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod because the religious con-
victions of the many students attending this institution
of higher learning are inevitably shaped by the theolog-
ical views and teachings of the faculty; therefore be it

Resolved, That the faculty and administration of Val-
paraiso University be encouraged to establish closer
liaison with the President of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod regarding doctrinal supervision so that
the constituency of the Synod will have the constant
assurance that doctrinal supervision is being maintained.

To Denounce Euthanasia
RESOLUTION 2-18
Overture 2-62 (CW, p. 66)

Wuereas, The willful taking of the life of one indi-
vidual by another individual is contrary to the Word of
God (Ex. 20:13): therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod cannot condone euthanasia.

To Reaffirm Synodical Position on Abortion

RESOLUTION 2-19

Overtures 2-59 through 2-61G, 2-63A through 2-66, 2-68
(CW, pp. 65—68)

Wuereas, Life is a gift of God and human beings are
created for eternal life. and

Wuereas, Resolution 2-39 passed at the Milwaukee
convention stated: “that the Synod regard willful abor-
tion as contrary to the will of God”: and

Wuereas, The CTCR has prepared the document:
“Abortion: Theological. Legal, and Medical Aspects’;
and

Wuereas. The CTCR intends to continue to review
the issue of abortion and produce additional materials
on the subject, giving attention to provisions for pas-
toral guidance, taking into account the continually