1. Romans 16 Church Fellowship

2. John 17:20-21 – Describe the unity between the Father and the Son. Perfect 1 John 1:3 – We proclaim the Gospel primarily so that all might be saved from hell. What is a secondary reason mentioned in our passage? That they may have fellowship

3. What do Christians do simply because we are Christians? Hebrews 10:24-26 – Worship together Acts 1:14 - pray Psalm 78:4-7 - education Matthew 28:18-20 – mission work 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - communion

4. What are we to do with Christian churches/teachers? 1 John 4:1 Test them according to the word Acts 11:22; 29 They helped each other out (join fellowship) 1 Peter 3:15 Be prepared to give answers why we believe what we do Romans 16:17; 2 John 10-11 Avoid false teachers

5. Why separate? 2 Corinthians 13:8 Out of love for God’s word Matthew 7:15; 2 John 11; 2 Timothy 2:17 To protect our own souls Titus 1:11;2 Timothy 2:16-18 Out of love for their souls

6. Fellowship between the WELS (Wisconsin Synod) and the LC-MS (Missouri Synod) Synod = walking together LC-MS founded in 1847; WELS founded in 1850 1860 John Bading became President of the WELS. WELS originally “mild” Lutherans. Committed to Scripture, but not the Lutheran Confessions. Early “Mission Societies: in Germany communed with the Reformed.

7. The LC-MS insisted that unity is all doctrine is a must for fellowship. (1 Corinthians 1:10; Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:20-21. WELS broke ties with Mission Societies. Unity in doctrine declared in 1868. This was the result of the work of three strong leaders. Dr. C.F.W. Walther of the LC-MS, President Bading of the WELS, and Dr. Adolph Hoennecke (WELS Seminary professor)

8. Synodical Conference formed in 1872 In the 1930’s, the LC-MS pursued fellowship with the American Lutheran Church (ALC formed in 1930). By 1938 the LC-MS agreed to doctrinal statements with the ALC (which then permitted fellowship) which did not actually settle doctrinal differences. (They agreed to interpret the documents from their own point of view)

9. Brief exercise: Who can agree with this statement, “We are saved by faith expressing itself through love.”

10. WELS and ELS voice their concern. By 1944 the LC-MS made a distinction between prayer fellowship and prayers that were not an expression of fellowship. What is the trouble with this? The practice of joint prayer was common among LC-MS missionaries

11. Other Issues: Military Chaplaincy –LC-MS participated in the military chaplaincy –WELS sent its own chaplains Scouting –LC-MS allowed Scout troops in it congregations to remove the objectionable things –WELS started Lutheran Pioneers –We object to the Scout Oath and Scout Law

12. Church and Ministry –LC-MS – the local congregation is autonomous; Synod is not Church –WELS – Synod is Church More recently roles of men and women. –LC-MS – some allow women congregational presidents and Voter’s –WELS does not

13. Behind the Scenes (Some of this is my opinion): LC-MS – large, popular, held a place on the national stage (1930-1950) Seminary professors earning PhD’s at secular universities – Historical Critical method of Bible Interpretation begins to enter St. Louis seminary Late (1930’s-1970’s) Some in LC-MS were embarrassed by their church’s position on fellowship and sought to change that behind the scenes.

14. Chaplains came home and gave emotional testimony concerning their “brothers in the faith” of other Christian church bodies. There was a blind “pride” in being Missouri Synod” which kept some from seeing what was going on in LC-MS Leaders assured the members and WELS leaders that nothing in their doctrine had changed, when in reality it had

15. Some emphasized the LC-MS doctrine of Church and Ministry to try to keep others from doing anything. Seminary professors believed they could use the Historical Critical method of Bible interpretation and yet retain their Confessionalism –For Example: We can still believe all we learn from Genesis 1-3 and not necessarily have to believe that Adam and Eve were real historical figures. –It destroyed the authority of Scripture at the St. Louis Seminary

16. The 1950’s were critical. Objections were raised by both the ELS and the WELS. The ELS broke fellowship with LC-MS in 1955; the WELS in 1961.