LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 437

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Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its confession that
the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of
God; and be it also

Resolved, That the members of the Synod be alerted
to “The Theses of Agreement and Inerrancy” of the
Australian Lutheran Church (distributed recently by
the CTCR) for study and reflection on this historic
Lutheran doctrine.

To Call for Unity of the Church in Mission
RESOLUTION 2-47
Overtures 2-12, 2-13, 2-30, 2-103 (CW, pp. 51—52, 57, 77)

Wuerras, It is incumbent upon all Christians to live
together in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of
peace (Eph. 4:3): and

Wuereas. One of the stated objects 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)”: and

Wuereas, Unity of spirit and purpose among mem-
bers of the Synod is essential if the Synod is to pursue
its mission in joyful obedience to our Lord's command
(Matt. 28:19); therefore be it

Resolved, That members of the Synod repent of the
divisiveness which has hindered our church's unified
witness to the Gospel of Christ: and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Synod deal with one
another in Christian love so that we may continue to
enjoy a spirit of unity and harmony which has been
our heritage for 125 years: and be it finally

Resolved, That members of the Synod implore the
Holy Spirit to unite us in dedicated and joyful procla-
mation of the Gospel of Christ.

To Answer Protests
RESOLUTION 2-48
Report 2-01, 1, A (CW, p.34)

The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Germany
and the Evangelical Lutheran Church — Synod of
France and Belgium expressed concern about alleged
doctrinal aberrations in our church body (1971 Pro-
ceedings, Resolutions 11-10, 3-25; pp. 222—223). The
Synod of France and Belgium continues in a state of
protest. The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church is now
a part of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Free
Church in Germany. The new group of three Free
churches in Germany has not entered a protest.

Wuereas, The Synod of France and Belgium con-
tinues in a state of protest; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
desires to maintain fellowship with the Synod of France
and Belgium; therefore be it

Resolved, That we assure our sister church of our
continued fidelity to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions and entreat the Synod of France and Bel-
gium to continue the bond of fellowship with which God
has blessed us.

To Establish a Task Force
to Study Women’s Role

RESOLUTION 2-49

Report 2-01, 6, Overtures 2-43, 2-44, 2-45, 2-46 (CW,
pp. 31, 61—63)

Wuereas, Both the Denver (1969) and Milwaukee
(1971) conventions of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod have called for the increased participation of
women in the life of the church: and

Wuerras, The Synod recognizes its need for the
utilization of the talents of women in many areas of
congregational and synodical responsibility: and

Wuereas, Both the CTCR and CMMC point to the
need for a study further clarifying the role of women
in service to the church: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod establish a task force (with
at least equal representation of women) to study the
role of women in The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod and that this task force be appointed by the
President of the Synod in consultation with the CTCR
and the leadership of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary
League; and be it further

REFERRED RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That the guidelines for the work of the
task force be developed by the task force with the ap-
proval of the President: and be it finally

Resolved, That the task force report and make rec-
ommendations to the Synod through the CTCR six
moaths prior to the 1975 synodical convention.

To Refer Overture 2-86 to the CTCR

RESOLUTION 2-50
Overture 2-86 (CW. p.72)

Wuereas, Overture 2-86 raises a question which is
being addressed in the ongoing study of Biblical inter-
pretation by the CTCR: therefore be it

Resolved, That this overture be referred to the
CTCR.

To Study CTCR Documents
RESOLUTION 2-51
Report 2-01, A. 2; D, 5, a (CW. pp. 30—31)

Resolved, That the following CTCR documents sub-
mitted to this convention be commended to the Synod
for study:

a) “A Comparative Study of Varying Contemporary

Approaches to Biblical Interpretation” (CW, pp.
435 ff.)

b) "The Ministry in Its Relation to the Christian
Church as Seen on the Basis of Holy Scripture
and the Lutheran Confessions” (CW. pp. 458 ff.)

c) “An Opinion of the CTCR on the Interpretation
of A Review of the Question. What Is a Doc-
trine?” (CW, p. 38 ff.)

To Refer “CW” Overtures Not Processed
by Committee No. 2
RESOLUTION 2-52

Resolved, That Overture 2-11 be referred to the
Board of Doctrinal Review: Overture 2-40. 2-41, 2-42.
2-77, 2-82, 2-83, 2-84. 2-85, 2-86, 2-108, 2-167. 2-168,
9-169, 2-173 to the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations: 2-94, to the Board for Lay Ministry: 2-97, to
the Saint Louis seminary Board of Control: Report 2-01,
I. G. No.7 (CW. p.31) (with which Committee No. 2 is
in general agreement). to the Board of Parish Educa-
tion and Concordia Publishing House: 2-112—2-113, to
the Commission on Worship (with the general endorse-
ment of Committee No. 2): 2-166. to the Board of Social
Ministry and World Relief: Report 2-01, II, A. 12. b
(CW. p.34), to the Commission on Constitutional Mat-
ters, With Report 2-01. Ili, F, No. 25 (CW, p. 37) Com-
mittee No.2 expresses general agreement, with 2-102
A and B, general disagreement.

To Maintain Accreditation
RESOLUTION 3-03

Overtures 3-84, 3-87A—B, 3-89, 3-91A—E
(CW, pp. 138—141)

Wuereas, Article Ill of the Synod's Constitution
states as a first object of the Synod “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” and as a third object of the Synod “the
training of ministers and teachers for service in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church”; and

Wuereas, The third object must be carried out in
the light of and in keeping with the first object; and

Wuereas, The Synod is committed to a program of
quality education at its colleges and seminaries; and

Wuereas, Accreditation by regional and professional
accrediting agencies is a recognition of the achievement
of certain standards: and

Wuereas, Accrediting agencies have given repeated
assurances thattit is not their intention to infringe on
the doctrinal position of the Synod or its special inter-
ests, rights, and privileges; and

Waereas, The synodical President is charged with
the duty of supervising the doctrine and administration
of all such as are employed by the Synod (Constitution,
Article XI B, 1 b); therefore be it

Resolved, That the synodical President, the Board
for Higher Education, the Boards of Control, the ad-

437

ministrations and faculties of the Synod’s colleges and
seminaries shall be firmly reminded of their charge and
responsibility to protect with all diligence the doctrinal
position of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education, the
Boards of Control of the Synod’s colleges and semi-
naries, and the administrations and faculties of these
institutions be encouraged to maintain the high stand-
ards that have enabled the colleges and seminaries to
become regionally and professionally accredited and
to take whatever steps are necessary to maintain ac-
creditation and to improve the quality of professional
education so long as the doctrinal position, and the in-
terests, rights. and privileges of the Synod are not in-
fringed upon: and be it finally

Resolved, That the above named again call the atten-
tion of professional and regional accrediting agencies,
when the occasion arises, to their pledges not to involve
themselves in the doctrinal affairs of a denomination
whenever their actions seem to threaten the doctrinal
position and the interests, rights, and privileges of the
Synod.

To Direct Board of Control
to Appeal Probation

RESOLUTION 3-04

Report 3-01, D; Overtures 3-82, 3-85A—B and 3-86
(CW, pp. 109, 139)

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
has expressed the opinion that the action of the Amer-
ican Association of Theological Schools in placing Con-
cordia Seminary. St. Louis, on probation was unjustified
and has given valid reasons for this judgment in its re-
port and in the resource materials which it has prepared
for possible appeal: and

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
has expressed the opinion that an appeal to the Execu-
tive Committee of the AATS acting as a Board of Re-
view under Article VII of the Constitution of the AATS
“would have been in order” and “would still be in
order’, and

Wuereas, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is threat-
ened with the loss of its accreditation if probation is not
lifted prior to June 1, 1974; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Control of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, be directed to submit and diligently
prosecute an appeal to the Executive Committee of the
AATS, forthwith: and be it further

Resolved, That in preparing this appeal the Board of
Control consult with the Special Task Force on Accredi-
tation or its representatives and with the President of
the Synod.

To Pursue Concerns with AATS
RESOLUTION 3-05

Report 3-01, D; Overtures 3-82, 3-88, 3-90
(CW, pp. 107—111, 140—141)

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
has called attention to a number of unusual procedures
of the American Association of Theological Schools with
regard to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, e.g.,

1. Failing to share the report of the visiting team
with the Board of Control of the institution in-
volved or with its executive officer;

2. Publicizing reports of probation proceedings
through news releases to the public press;

3. Censuring an agency involved, such as the Board
for Higher Education, without interviewing any
members of its staff or the board and without con-
sulting in any way with it;

4. Giving an institution that has been placed on pro-
bation only 2 years in which to correct what the
AATS believes to be inadequacies, at the end of
which time the AATS constitution requires that
probation must be lifted or accreditation removed;

5. Taking an action which goes beyond the recom-
mendation of the on-site visiting team; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Boards of Control of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, and of Concordia Theological Sem-
inary, Springfield, be instructed to pursue these con-
cerns of the Synod with the commissions, boards, and
members of the AATS.