76-10 Position Paper on LUTHERAN UNITY

WHEREAS the Lutheran church is part of the one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; and

WHEREAS we the Lutheran Student Movement – USA feel ourselves to be in dynamic relationships with all Lutheran churches as stated in our constitution; and

WHEREAS one of the purposes of the LSM-USA is to promote unity  in every possible way; and

WHEREAS there are two components of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; and

Although we recognize the validity of the mission and ministry of both and take seriously our responsibility as members of both, let it be known that the LSM-USA and all who stand with us are deeply concerned for the unity and future of the Lutheran churches.

Therefore we, of the LSM-USA;

1. Acknowledge that the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) is part of the one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; and

2. Indicate out desire to work with members of the AELC and the LC-MS; and

3. As the LSM-USA and all who stand with us to pray continually for God’s grace and for unity of the whole Lutheran Church; and

4. Ask that the Lutheran college students from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Flordam Park, New Jersey, keep with LSM-USA informed on this topic, through further research, and submission of articles for publication in the LSM-USA newsletter.

ACTIONS TAKEN:

The following article was printed in the LSM-USA Newsletter concerning the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches:

The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) recently held its’ constituting convention and urged the ordination of women and committed itself to Lutheran unity.  It has promised to be in the vanguard of the movement to closer cooperation among American Lutherans.

The AELC is organized into five regional Synods which may adopt differing practices among themselves.  It has a federal structure and, as of December 1976, had 75,000 baptized members and 150 congregations.

Resolutions were adopted calling for continuing fellowship with all Lutheran churches, including the Missouri Synod from which the AELC separated.  Our speaker, Dr. C. Thomas Spitz of New York, said, “Our life together permits a move toward Lutheran union rather than our continues participation in the prolonged division of American Lutheranism.”

The AELC will also apply for membership in the Lutheran World Federation and the Lutheran Council in the USA and seek participation in the National Lutheran Campus Ministry.  It has urged the ordination of women but left the final decision to its constituent synods.

I can only add that it has been exciting to be in on the organization of such a new and vital part of the Church which is committed to unity and reading out to all segments of God’s people.  The vibrant fellowship and its’ active and creative commitment to mission and ministry are two of the best features it will bring to the American church scene.  It will be well worth watching.

(Steve Jacobs, Pacific Southwest Regional Councilperson, LSM-USA Newsletter, January-February 1977)