LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 182

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182 LATE REPORTS AND OVERTURES

as topics of interest in Christendom generally. The
division uses both “official” and “free” conferences, a
number of other study procedures, reports, and publi-
cations in exploring these topics in a systematic and
continuing way. The division is also responsible for
arranging interconfessional and interreligious discus-
sions involving Lutherans.

Leadership of the division is currently undergoing a
complete change. William G. Rusch, associate executive
director since 1971, left in December 1978 to become
director of Fortress Press, Philadelphia. Paul D. Opsahl,
who became associate executive director with the start
of the Lutheran Council in 1967 and executive director
in 1971, has decided not to serve beyond the expiration
of his present term this July. For the foreseeable future
the division will be a one-executive unit.

Studies Relevant for Lutheran Consensus

“The Function of Doctrine and Theology in Light of
the Unity of the Church” was the subject of a major
study involving eight conferences held between 1972
and 1977. Participants, who were named by the LCMS,
ALC, and LCA presidents, examined how their denom-
inations understand consensus in the Gospel as the
basis for fellowship, how they interpret the Gospel, how
much theological diversity is acceptable, and possible
ways to manifest unity despite differences. The official
report of the study, plus papers given at the conferences,
was published in the division’s “Studies” series and
widely circulated in the three church bodies. All LCMS
pastors received copies of the report, which the Lutheran
Witness called “helpful because it shows where we are,
both where agreementis a reality and where agreement
has yet to be achieved under the Spirit’s guidance. This
report, then, becomes an instrument for prayer, for
study, and for further work on the long road to con-
sensus.”

A practical study of “The Ministry of the Church—A
Lutheran Understanding,” which went on from 1967 to
1974, has had two spin-offs: an in-depth look at the
relationship between the ordained ministry and pas-
toral counseling as a specialized ministry and a similar
look at the relationship between the ordained ministry
and institutional chaplaincies. Out of the first came a
helpful statement published in the fall of 1978, spelling
out the lines of accountability and giving guidance to
pastors interested in becoming professional counselors.
The examination of chaplaincies is in progress.

A major study on how Lutherans understand and
use Scripture came to a conclusion in the spring of 1977,
and essays given at the related conferences are being
published this August by Fortress Press in a book
entitled Studies in Lutheran Hermeneutics. Executive
Secretary Samuel H. Nafzger of the Synod’s Commis-
sion on Theology and Church Relations served as one of
the editors.

The 450th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession
in 1980 has prompted the division to prepare a docu-
ment on “The Augsburg Confession in the Context of
the USA” to be shared at an international consultation

in Strasbourg, France, this October. President Ralph A.
Bohlmann of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is partici-
pating as the division’s representative. Also being
planned is a scholarly inter-Lutheran colloquium next
year to commemorate the Augsburg Confession anni-
versary and the 400th anniversary of The Book of
Concord.

Studies of Concern in Contemporary Christendom

Launched in 1974, an extensive study of “The Holy
Spirit and His Manifestations in the World Today” has
now moved into its third phase. The first centered on the
doctrine of the Holy Spirit and its relevance for contem-
porary theology. Eight papers given at four conferences
were published last year by Augsburg Publishing
House, Minneapolis, in the volume The Holy Spirit in
the Life of the Church: From Biblical Times to the
Present. The second phase examined the theme “New
Life.” It involved three conferences held during 1977-78.
The third phase repeated the three-conference format
this past winter and spring and dealt with evangelism.

At the division’s standing committee meeting last
March, Professor Gilbert Meilaender Jr. of Oberlin
College in Ohio, a member of the Synod’s Social Con-
cerns Committee, presented a paper on biomedical
ethics. This was part of a process expected to lead to a
major new study of a significant contemporary issue.

Ecumenical! and Interreligious Dialogs

Following an initial Lutheran-Episcopal dialog
carried out during 1969-72, a second series began in
January 1976 and is expected to continue through next
year. The first series noted significant agreement on the
Holy Scriptures, Christian worship and the centrality of
preaching, and the Eucharist, Baptism, and confir-
mation; affirmed each other’s ordained ministry; and
recommended limited forms of intercommunion be-
tween Lutheran congregations and Episcopal parishes.
The intention of the second series has been “‘to expand,
clarify, and contextualize for the churches” the above
conclusions. To date this has meant producing a com-
mon statement on justification and discussing apostol-
icity and the authority of Scripture.

A round of talks bringing together for the first time
Lutherans and Methodists began in May 1977. This
three-year series is centering on Baptism. To date a
common statement has been drafted and is being
refined. It deals with agreements and disagreements on
how the two traditions understand Baptism and the
implications of these agreements and disagreements for
church life.

First talks in a Lutheran-Baptist dialog took place
last April at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. This get-
acquainted session concentrated on the plans for the
dialog, which is expected to extend over three years and
will seek to remove erroneous stereotypes.

After several planning meetings a Lutheran-
Conservative/Evangelical dialog is to begin in the fall
of 1979. Its format is four meetings extended over two
years, at which faculty members from a group of

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