LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 69

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H

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 69

ties. With the abundance of empty colleges on the
market, it is doubtful that most of the other schools
would be readily salable. And closed schools are still
expensive to maintain, pay the taxes, and keep them in
a marketable condition.

The better alternative is to try to fill the schools. The
Board of Directors supports the attempts of the Board
for Higher Education to change the system in order to
fill the schools. It supports the principle that the system
of higher education should ‘“‘maximize the service each
synodical school might contribute to fulfilling the objec-
tives of the Synod (train full-time church workers) and
to help each school serve its supporting constituency in
that place.”

450th Anniversary, Augsburg Confession
400th Anniversary, Book of Concord

1980 signals the celebration of the 450th anniversary
of the Augsburg Confession and the 400th anniversary
of the Book of Concord. Our Commission on Theology
and Church Relations has already begun to prepare for
studies, conferences, and other edifying ways in which
these two great events in the history of Lutheranism
and of the Christian church can be celebrated. I recom-
mend that the congregations and pastors give this
matter very serious study and support. The Aid Associ-
ation for Lutherans has made a generous grant to the
Synod and Districts for projects dealing with this
important subject.

Hymnbook

I would like to highlight particularly the matter of
the new hymnbook for our Synod and encourage the
Synod convention to adopt this resolution (No. 3-01).

Inter-Lutheran Relationships

In the area of inter-Lutheran relationships I would
strongly urge the passage of Resolution 3-03, dealing
with the continuation of our fellowship with The Amer-
ican Lutheran Church; 3-05, dealing with the formation
of an indigenous Lutheran Church—Canada; and 3-07,
which proposes the continuation of membership in the
Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. Full information on
these matters will be covered when Committee 3 reports.

Discussions have also been held with groups that we
have never had any contact with at any time in our past.
I refer particularly to the Association of Free Lutheran
Congregations, headquartered in Minneapolis, and the
Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America, head-
quartered in Fergus Falls, Minn., and the Evangelical
Lutheran Federation of Tacoma, Wash.

Thave come to have great respect for the theological
stance of these groups. Representatives of the faculties
of their schools have taken graduate work at our St.

Louis seminary. The Association of Free Lutheran

Congregations passed a beautiful resolution at their
last convention supporting our doctrinal position, and I
would hope that the Synod would encourage that further
discussions take place with these groups that would
lead, if not to fellowship, at least to a closer working
together and association. I would encourage the pas-

toral conferences, particularly in Minnesota and the
Dakotas, where these churches have the bulk of their
membership, as well as elsewhere throughout the coun-
try, to invite their pastors and to try to draw closer
together.

Meetings have also been carried on with the Wiscon-
sin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Evangelical
Lutheran Synod, both of which were in fellowship with
us in the old Synodical Conference. These meetings
have been helpful and far more cordial than meetings
held several years ago. I hope and pray that it will be
possible for us sometime to reestablish fellowship with
these beloved brethren, and I urge the Synod to ask its
officers and the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations to continue its efforts in this direction.

Meetings have also been carried on with the Associ-
ation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC), the
group of those who left us. The full report of this is in the
Report of the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations. This group has taken a position calling for
merger of all Lutherans, and their request has also been
given over to the consideration of our Commission on
Theology and Church Relations.

It may be premature to talk about bringing back into
our membership those parishes which resigned in order
to become affiliated with the AELC. More time and
patience may be needed, so that the process of under-
standing, healing, and improved relationships may
develop between ourselves and those who have left our
fellowship.

It now may be premature to find a possible way for
reconciliation and the establishment of fellowship and
acceptance. But we should not give up in these efforts.
We have special concerns for the AELC congregations
and schools and also for their pastors and teachers,
knowing that they who were once with us are now
separated by their own decisions. We certainly want
them to know that, should they in any way find it
desirable to return to us, we will do everything possible
to restore good relationships.

Canada

This year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary
of the establishment of what was originally called the
Canada District, an antecedent of the present Ontario
District. Would not this be a very appropriate time to
give serious encouragement to the creation of an indi-
genous church in Canada which would not only cele-
brate a centennial but celebrate a new beginning of
expanded work in a great and exciting country? Please
note the proposals of Committee 3 on this matter.

Brazil

I would strongly urge the convention to approve the
resolution presented by Committee 1 relative to partner-
church status for our Brazil District. Much was said on
this at the time I reported at the Memorial Day weekend,
so I will not repeat it except to say that I believe this
would be a fine forward step on the part of our church for
the sake of our brethren in Brazil.