LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 120

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120 RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The North Central Association, with
whom the Fort Wayne seminary is seeking full accredi-
tation, apparently feels uncomfortable in accrediting
an institution in the United States with an extension in
Canada (where North Central is not active); and

WHEREAS, An independent seminary at St.
Catharines could still be provided with teaching man-
power, where needed, from the Fort Wayne seminary on
the basis of the Canadian seminary buying services
from the American seminary, thus providing a truly
balanced and highly respectable program in a manner
in which total fiscal responsibility for the entire oper-
ation would be in place; therefore be it

Resolved, That the St. Catharines Extension of the
Fort Wayne seminary be given independent status,
serving directly under the Board for Higher Education;
and be it further

Resolved, That the steps toward establishing the
independent seminary be taken as follows:

1. At the end of the present fiscal year (1980) a
separate budget apart from that of the Fort Wayne
seminary be approved by the BHE and the Board of
Directors;

2. At the 1981 convention provisions for the election
of a Board of Control and the necessary Bylaw changes
be presented by the Commission on Constitutional
Matters following consultation with Ontario District
legal counsel to avoid conflicts with Canadian law; and
be it further

Resolved, That the St. Catharines seminary be urged
and empowered to seek affiliation with Brock Univer-
sity or other Canadian university, if necessary, so that
degrees can be conferred on its graduates and other
advantages can be gained; and be it further

Resolved, That we thank God for the dedicated work
of the men who have been serving the St. Catharines
extension, including many from the Ontario District
and the Fort Wayne seminary who nurtured theological
education in this part of Canada; and be it finally

Resolved, That we continue to pray the Lord of the
harvest that He will provide many more pastors to the
field that is ripe unto harvest in Canada.

Action: Adopted as amended (7).

(Amendment: addition of “or other Canadian university, if
necessary.”)

To Continue Membership
in Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.
RESOLUTION 3-07
Report 3-05 (CW, pp. 91—92); Overtures 3-61A—
3-65 (CW, pp. 108—109)

WHEREAS, The doctrine and practice of the Missouri
Synod has not been compromised by membership in the
Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.; and

WHEREAS, Membership in the Council has permitted

the Synod to avoid much duplication of effort and the
introduction of work which the Synod otherwise would
be compelled to undertake on its own; and

WHEREAS, Membership in the Council has given the
Synod an opportunity to participate in an ongoing
forum of theological study and discussion; therefore be
it

Resolved, That the Synod continue its membership
in the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Directors con-
tinue to evaluate the programs of the Council according
to its established evaluation criteria.

Action: Adopted. (7).

(Two amendments were proposed. One, “That we request
the ALC and LCA to withdraw the National Lutheran Campus
Ministry and the Lutheran Student Movement from under the
LCUSA.” The other called for an addition to the final resolve:
“and that the decision from time to time to continue or not
commitments to LCUSA beyond the Division of Adminis-
tration and the Division of Theological Studies be left to the
Synod’s Board of Directors.” Both amendments were defeated.)

To Accept Report of Board of Directors
on SELC and LCMS Merger

RESOLUTION 3-08
Report 3-06 (CW, p. 92)

WHEREAS, On July 12, 1969, The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod and the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran
Churches (SELC) entered into a merger agreement; and

WHEREAS, The agreement stipulated that the merger
date could be postponed by agreement of both parties
and that other points in the agreement could also be
adjusted by common consent; and

WHEREAS, The Advisory Commission appointed by
the President of the Synod to expedite the merger plan
acknowledged the joy which both parties have found in
the closer relationship that has been established and
indicated that a postponement of the merger date would
be advisable; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1979 convention in session ap-
prove the action of the Board of Directors in ratifying
the action of the synodical President that increased the
number of members on the Advisory Commission from
six to eight; and be it further

Resolved, That the 1979 convention approve the
Board of Directors decision in the postponing of the
consummation date with the understanding that the
question of setting a definite date may be raised at any
time by either party; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod express its appreciation for the relationship of
the last eight years and express its willingness to
continue to work with the SELC District toward ulti-
mately effecting the desired merger.

Action: Adopted (10).