WPC #liM͇?Ix 圿Y/K-I?=0t yjTO)ϕrێwv851T˟ct@~`hJGG^!!*ّwO\9:F6:m,m9F3fGn(_Ą;A6P¯El-UO1t\EM"+ޣ#E3*~3PV :Jk_ݥfb|"Os 迈XCb-nC[k0NRrAtd"cQIS OgZ;(-N˲L0OMw#/qڇ]vu}ٚ B5ybLQr> g^? ^gy^ ؇h'W1\QRl0Z2hJh!NX%7[_)º lŐb"qVi.<03 0( 0C 0=5 03r B B* B B  B& BCU2` % D+^ AO D+ AM D+ AI 4P 0]d 0i 0]* 0I 0i 0i9 0I 0 ] 0iH 0 i 0_ 0Ky 0K 0KU*BZU. 0D 0D 0 I' D/p 0x 0i 0k 0K D36 0ki($($    ($    ( $   d&0 d d d dP Pd d<  p`+CourierTT X Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5)dd')*,C<< C Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5)dd )01A<< C Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5)ddACU{%2+0TxBr_p0     270TxBr_p1       2+0TxBr_p2     20TxBr_c3    270TxBr_p4       270TxBr_p5     o o 20TxBr_t1    2+0TxBr_p7     270TxBr_p3        270TxBr_p9     b b 4+2TxBr_p10     42TxBr_c11    42TxBr_t12    42TxBr_t13    <  p`*Times New RomanTT<  p`ArialTTLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5|x2(3?A$ !  ($$   1  20TxBr_c4     ' dxd2F0TxBr_p6         270TxBr_p8       472TxBr_p12       ( $ Figure  1  'dxd472TxBr_p13            X            TRY3'3'3'3M 77213'T  &XXX X&Z Z X&X |݌̌  +    +  &Ul"Z &Z THISWEBELIEVE+݌  Ќ  +    +_  AVisionfortheFutureoftheTexasDistrict+_݌̌  +    +  And+9݌̌  +    +  TheLutheranChurchMissouriSynod+݌̌     ? ?    &XX"&Ul Thereisagreatdealoftalkinthechurchthesedaysabouttheimportanceof `  vision.AsconfessionalLutherans,themembersofTexasBalanceshareacommonvisionofthefuturethatGodhasinstoreforourbelovedchurch.Itis,webelieve,avisionshapedanddeterminedbyHisHolyWord.Wewouldliketotakethisopportunitytoshareasummaryofthatvisionwithyouinthehopethatitwillassistyouinunderstandingusandouractivitiesinthefuture.WearecommittedtocontinueworkingtowardtherealizationofthisvisionwithintheTexasDistrictinapositiveandconstructivemanner.Ourmotivationisnotpartisanshiporadesireforpower,butratherasincereloveforthesavingtruthofGod sWordanddesiretoglorifyHiminthe  proclamationofHisGospelandtheextensionofHiskingdom.{݌̌  ?-  !  ?!     -N   &Z X&XI. q DoctrineandMissions-N ݌ y Ќ      ! t ! t     &XX &ZAttheheartofthatvisionisanevangelicalconcernforthepuredoctrineofGod s  Word.OursolemotiveforinsistingthatthedivineWordbetaughtwithoutexceptionorcompromisemustbeaburningdesireforthesalvationofsouls.Scripture searnest   admonitiontocontendforthefaithoncedeliveredtothesaints"(Jude3)isnotoptionaladvice.Itisadivinecommand.OurLordHimselfcombinedthegreatestmissionmandateevergivenwiththeresponsibilityof teachingthemtoobeyeverythingIhavecommandedyou.(Matthew28:20)Doctrinalindifferenceandpermissivenessdoesnotenhancethemissionofthechurch,itdestroysit.Accordingly,wewereprofoundlyconcernedbyPresidentKieschnick scommentintheFebruary,1993,Editionofthe  &Y! LutheranWitness/TexasMessengerwhichdismissed doctrinalconcernsamongusasaSatanicdiversionfromthe mainmissionofthechurch&"(X&XԄ&XX(&"tomakedisciplesofall '/# nations.Synod sfirstPresident,C.F.W.Walther,addressedtheperilofpittingmissions ($ againstdoctrinalconcernsmorethan120yearsago.Waltherwrote: ݌̌  t%XXX&X%CX%X2  *%! 2.   t   .  . ݌̌      \ \   t  &%C&&&& Itistrue,brethren,asyouwellknow,thatinourdayitiscommonforpeopletosay, d+&" EmphasizingdoctrinesomuchonlyharmsandhindersthekingdomofGod,yes,evendestroysit. Manysay,Insteadoidisputingoverdoctrinesomuch,weshouldmuchrather ,H($ beconcernedwithsoulsandwithleadingthemtochrist. Butallwhospeakinthiswaydo -)% notreallyknowwhattheyaresayingorwhattheyaredoing.Asfoolishasitwouldbetoscoldafarmerforbeingconcernedaboutsowinggoodseedandtodemandofhimsimplytobeconcernedaboutagoodharvest,sofoolishitistoscoldthosewhoareconcernedfirstandforemostwiththedoctrine,andtodemandofthemthattheyshouldratherseektorescuesouls.Forjustasthefarmerwhowantsagoodcropmustfirstofallbeconcernedaboutgoodseed,sothechurchmustaboveallbeconcernedaboutrightdoctrineifitwouldsavesouls.(C.F.W.Walther,OurCommonTaskTheSavingofSouls, l  1872) t݌̌  \&Z &&&  II. @   ^   UnityintheChurch B     t\ t  (  &XX &ZWedreamofaSynodinwhichallofourcongregations,pastors,andteachers   genuinely walktogetherinunityoffaith,confessingwithonevoiceourcommoncommitmenttoalloftheteachingsofGod sWord(1Corinthians1:10).InthisBiblical \  visionofthechurch,thetrue unityoftheSpiritcanonlybemaintainedbyconsensusindoctrineandconsistencyinpractice(Ephesians4:1314).Dr.FranzPieper,Synod s 2 fourthPresident,describesourchurch shighlyprizeddoctrinalunityinthisway:(݌ m Ќ  t    \t \   \  &&&X&X WestandinafellowshipwhichholdsfasttheentireWordofGod,theentirerevelation,a C fellowshipinwhichsoulsareproperlycaredforandinwhichGodisgiventhehonorwhichisdueHim.Whatablessingweshare!Wecannotsufficientlypraiseit!...ltisGodwhohasgivenusunderstandingsothatwedonotswimwiththeunionisticstreamofthedaybutratherholdtheentireWordofGodinhighesteemandacceptitbyfaith.ItisGodwhohas k givenusunderstandingsothatwearenotcausedtovacillatebytheunionistictalkaboutloveandpeace,butratherthatweknowthatthefirstarticleoflovetoGodandmenisthisthatwefirmlyholdtoandconfessthetotalWordofGod...Whatvaluewouldtherebeinan y outwardestablishmentofgeographicboundariesandinallotherexternalcooperationinchurchworkiftheboundariesofourfaithwerenotcorrectlyestablishedaccordingtoGod sWordandwedidnotremaininallarticlesofdoctrineestablishedforusinGod s '  Word?Ifwe,inaunionisticfashion,wantedtosurrenderthisorthatdoctrineoftheWordofGod,if,underthepretextofallowinglovetoholdsway,weweretoallowfalsedoctrinestohavecitizenshiprightsamongus,thenallofouroutwardstandingtogetherandworkingtogetherwouldbeacaricatureoftheGoddesiredunity.Theunityoffaithismostseriouslythreatenedwhenindifferencetofalsedoctrinemovesin.Theunityoffaithisimmediatelydestroyedwhenonepartadoptsandholdsfastfalsedoctrine.(FranzPieper,UnityofFaith,1888) \݌ ]$' Ќ  \   t\ t  !  &XX&&&WehavewanderedfarfromMissouri searlyyearswhentheconstantrefrainofour %A!) leaderswas; WehavenopowerotherthanthatoftheWordofGodandofconvincing.Asdoctrinediminishesinimportance,humanregulationsandauthoritiesnecessarilybecomemoreprominent.Butasthatsubtletransitionoccurs,theverynatureofthechurchslowlychanges.Biblical unityinthefaith,agreementinallthearticlesofChristiandoctrineasrevealedinHolyScripture,isgraduallyreplacedbyanemphasisonexternal,institutionalunion.Thuswefindtheincreasingrelianceuponbylaws,man22maderules,andadministrativeprocedures,thatisinevidenceacrosstheSynod,tobedeeplydisturbing.OursituationisbecominguncomfortablysimilartothatoftheRoman I-(1 Churchwhereanyandalldoctrinaldeviationistoleratedsolongasonedoesnotviolatecanonlaworchallengetheauthorityofchurchofficials.Webelievethatagreateremphasisondoctrineanddoctrinaldisciplineisurgentlyneededsothat speakingthetruthinlove,wemaygrowupineverywayintoHimwhoistheHead,intoChrist.(Ephesians4:15)Arenewedconcentrationonthoroughdoctrinalstudyinourpastor/teacherconferencesateverylevelandatbothdistrictandsynodicalconventionswouldbeaverypositivestep.HereinTexas,theDistrictTheologicalConvocationsheldinrecentyearshavebeenfineprogramsbutshouldnotbeviewedasasubstitutefordoctrinalstudyinothermeetings.TheintensivestudyoftheWordofGodinconferencesandconventionshasbeenadefiningcharacteristicoftheMissouriSynodandakeytotheunitywhichwehaveenjoyed.!9"݌̌      \t \   g)  &&&X&X Peoplewhoarenotfamiliarwithasynodusuallythinkofitintermsofalegislative   body.Underthatarrangementpastorsmetandpassedlaws.Thentheybroughttheselawshome,andwhoeverrefusedtoobeythemwouldeitherbebannedoratleastplacedunderchurchdiscipline.That,however,isnotthewayourSynodoperates...Hereagain,thenumberoneprioritymustbethepromotionofabetterunderstandingofGod sWord. , Andevenifasynodproceedsinafreeandeasymanner,withnoparticularorganizedprocedure,itisstillaglorioussynodsolongasthereisanintensivestudyofGod sWord. p ThentheLordisinthemidstofHissynodicalmembers.FortherewearegatheredinHisname,andthereHisWordistaughtinchildlikefaith...NowIunderstandwhytheMissouriansaresounified.Thereasonisthattheyalwaysspendagreatdealoftimeinthethoroughstudyofdoctrine.Theydon tmerelydiscussitthoroughly,buttheyalwaystry  togetdowntothebasicprinciplesandproveeverythingonthebasisofScripture.ThatisthesecretoftheMissourians.Withthatkindofapproachtheycannothelpbeingunified.(C.F.W.Walther,TheBasicResponsibilitiesofaSynodWhichWouldRightfullycallItself F EvangelicalandLutheran,1879) g))݌  Ќ  \"    "/  &Z &&&III.TheCentralityoftheMeansofGrace"//݌ 8 Ќ     t\ tt  0  &XX &ZGrowthinthechurchmustalwaysbelinkedtotheMeansofGrace,theGospelin $ t  WordandSacrament(Acts20:24;Romans10:17;1Peter1:23;Titus3:5;Matthew26:28).ItisatpreciselythispointthatthelifeandworshipoftheLutheranChurchhashistoricallyfocused.Scripture svisionofthechurchasthepeopleofGodassembled "5# aroundandempoweredbyWordandSacrament,intheprofoundspiritualunityoftheBodyofChrist,isthreatenedtodaybyanothervision,onethatismuchmoreimpressivefromtheworld spointofview.Itgloriesinsize,success,andpower.Inthisalternative % & vision,thechurchisseenasjustanotherorganizationwhosegrowthcanbeguaranteedthroughtheuseofthepropertechniquesandmeasuredstatistically.Indicationsofthewidespreadencroachmentofthisviewcanbeseeninourgrowingdependenceuponaneverendingstreamofnewprograms,techniques,andgimmicksdesignedtomotivateandexcitethepeople.Itcanalsobedetectedinourpreoccupationwithstructuraltinkering,streamlining,andreorganizing,alwaysinkeepingwiththeverylatesttheoryofmanagementandadministration,toimproveefficiencyoneverylevel.Mostsignificantly,thisominoustrendcanbeobservedinashiftawayfromthehistoricliturgiesofthechurchtowardworshipasentertainment.Implicitineachofthesetrendsistheinsidious -9)/ assumptionthatWordandSacramentalonejustaren tgoingtogetthejobdoneinthe  90 s.Glibdistinctionsbetween styleand substanceareusedtojettisoneverything  thatstandsinthewayofourrushtowardworldlysuccessaboardthelatestprogrammaticbandwagontogorollingby.It stimetorecognizethatallthisisnot q Biblicaltheologybutsecularideology.Itcannothelpthechurchtogrow:itcanonlydistract,distort,andultimatelydestroyit.ThewayweworshipandorderourlifetogetherasacommunityofGod speopleisanexpressionofwhatwebelieve.Onecannotbe 2  tamperedwithwithoutaffectingtheother.Inourhastetoimitatewhatworksfor mega&ˋX&Xand metachurchesinotherdenominationswemaywellbethrowingthe  X proverbialbabyoutwiththebathwater.GoddoesnotcallthepastorsofHischurchtobepeoplepleasingentrepreneursorHollywoodstyleentertainers;HecallsthemtobefaithfulservantsofHisWord.GoddoesnotcallHispeopletobeselfsatisfyingconsumers,apingtheanticsoftheworldly;Hecallsthemtobeself22sacrificingpilgrimswhoselivesdisplayHisloveformankind.AllthatisnecessaryforusistotrustthepromisesofGodandfaithfullyusethemeanswhichHehasestablished.01݌̌  "    "<  &w0&ˋIV.&Z 0&wTheOfficeoftheHolyMinistry"<<݌ 6 Ќ  2   t t  2=  &ˋ &ZGodhasestablishedthepastoralofficewithinHischurchastheministryof  preachingandteachingtheGospelandadministeringthesacraments(Ephesians4:11;Acts20:28;1Corinthians4:1;2Corinthians2:10;1Peter5:2;Hebrews13:17).GoddeterminesthequalificationsofthosewhoaretoserveintheofficewhichHehascreated(ITimothy3:17;1Timothy2:1114;1Corinthians14:332234).GodcallsqualifiedmenintothatofficethroughthecallofHischurch(Romans10:15;2Timothy2:2;Titus1:5;Ephesians4:8,11).Scripture svisionof ,| thepastoralofficeisbeingslowlyobscuredamongus.Thecausesforthisdeteriorationaremanifold.Secularthinkinghasimpactedclergyandlaityalikeinthisarea.Scripture shighviewofthepastoralofficeisechoedandappliedinour = confessionalaffirmationthat Ourchurchesteachthatnooneshouldpreachpubliclyinthechurchoradministerthesacramentsunlessheisregularlycalled.(AC,XIV)Nonetheless,overtheobjectionsofthefacultiesofbothofourseminaries,LicensedLayMinistryprogramshavebeeninstitutedbyboththeTexasDistrictandtheSynodtoauthorizepreciselywhatourConfessionforbids.OneobserverhasironicallylabeledSynod sdecisiononLayMinistry theWichita o% # RecensionoftheAugsburgConfession.2=>݌̌  2      2D  Aprofoundsenseofmutualresponsibility,forthesakeoftheGospel,isinherentintheBiblicalconceptoftheCall.ThatmutualresponsibilityiscontradictedwheneitherpastorsorlaymenallowtheirpersonaldesirestotakeprecedenceoverthecauseoftheGospel.ThedoctrineoftheDivineCallisnotalicensetopursuecareergoalsorarefugeformediocritywithaguaranteeofpermanentjobsecurity.Ontheotherhand,theintegrityoftheOfficeoftheMinistrydemandsthattheCallbemorethanasecular AtWillContractwhich -), maybeterminatedwithoutcauseatanypointaccordingtothewhimandfancyoftheprevailingfactioninacongregation.ThedebasementoftheHolyMinistryiscloakedinsanctimoniousphrasesasdiplomasof Revocation forthe Divine  Disposal/DismissalofMinistersoftheWordandSacramentsareprepared.ReportsofDistrict Investigative2DyD݌̌  %&ˋ%C%Committeescomingintoparishes,oftenwithoutofficialinvitation,toprobeunspecifiedallegationsofdissensionbetweenpastorandpeoplefromunidentifiedindividuals,withoutreferencetotheScripturalproceduresofMatthew18,arecauseforgraveconcern.AclearunderstandingandconsistentapplicationoftheteachingoftheWordofGodontheOfficeoftheMinistryandtheDivineCallhasbeenasourceofgreatblessingtothepastorsandcongregationsoftheMissouriSynod.TheselfsacrificingconsecrationofgenerationsoffaithfulpastorsandthehighesteemandhonorwhichourpeoplehavehistoricallyaccordedthepastoralofficehaveenabledustoaccomplishgreatthingstogetherinGod s   kingdom.ItisourearnestprayerthattheLordmayrestoretousthatunityofpurposeandharmony.     L  %܉%C %a.%܉V.ChurchFellowship#%܉.%aL#  LAL݌ K Ќ        M  %%܉WeenvisionachurchwhichalwaysholdshighthebanneroftheGospelinits  dealingswithChristiansinotherdenominations.Recognizing,withthehumblecertaintyoffaith,thatthedoctrinesoftheLutheranChurch,asproclaimedinourconfessionalwritings,are,infact,thesavingtruthofHolyScripture,wemustbeeverpreparedtotestifytothefaithwhichhasbeenentrustedtous.Inatimeofwidespreaddoctrinalindifferenceandapathy,thatwitnessbecomesallthemoreimportant.TheBiblesternlywarnsagainstthedangersoffalsedoctrineandfirmlyprohibitsthetolerationofdoctrinalerrorandchurchfellowshipwiththosecaughtupindoctrinalerror(i.e.Matthew%XX%7:15; 8 %X%XRomans16:17;Galatians5:910;2Timothy2:16).Giventheseverityofthosewarnings, #s wedarenotallowourselvestheluxuryofoverlookingorminimizingthedoctrinaldifferenceswhichdividethechurchesofChristendom.Whenourpastorsandcongregationsparticipateinjointserviceswiththepastorsandcongregationsofotherdenominations,despitethedifferencesindoctrinewhichseparateusfromoneanother,theyareguiltyofbearingfalsewitnesstoaunitythatdoesnotexist.Ourfailuretoconfrontthosewhoholdtofalseteachingorwhofollowfalseteachersjeopardizestheirsalvation,andonlyservestoconfirmthemintheirerror.Doctrinalindifferenceisthepathofleastresistance,comfortableandpopular;butitis,nonetheless,acallousexpressionoflovelessness.OurleadersinDistrictandSynodbearaprofoundresponsibilityinthiscrucialareatoarticulate,advocate,andimplementtheScripturalposition.Whenpastorsamongustakepartinweddings,funerals,baccalaureates,etc.,withclergymenofotherdenominations,oranyofourcongregationssponsorjointservicesintheirlocalareawithchurchesofotherdenominations,admonitionand,ifnecessary,evangelicaldisciplinemustbeapplied.ItmaywellbenecessaryforMissouritostandalone,enduringscornandridiculefromallsides,becauseofitsrejectionoftheeasygoingpermissivenessofthetimesandeveryformofunionism.Butthen,that snothingnew.Wehavestoodalone ,#(+ before,andGodhasblessedourfaithfulnesstoHisWord.SynodicalPresidentJohnW. -), Behnken,agreatmanofGodfromourownTexasDistrict,hassaid%XX%it%X%Xwellinhisuniquely  firmbuthumbleway:M~M݌̌     o o  7X  %& &%Letmespeakveryfrankly.Ifsuchcooperationinvolvesjointworkinmissions,inChristian q education,instudentwelfarework,injointservicescelebratinggreatevents,thencooperationisjustanothernameforpulpit,altarandprayerfellowship.Withoutdoctrinalagreementthisspellscompromise.Itmeansyieldingindoctrinalpositions.SuchfellowshipwillnotstandinthelightofScripture...TheLordwantspreacherswhoareloyalinHiscause,whowillnotdeviateintheleastfromanypartofHisWord,whowilldefendeveryjotandtittleofit,whowillinsistthatthechurchcontinueinsounddoctrine...lndescribableharmhasbeendonetothecauseofLutheranfellowshipwhenmenbecomeguiltyofunionisticservices,wherebytheycreateimpressionsthatafterallthereisnodifferenceorthatthedifferencesareoflittlemoment...lrreparabledamagehasbeendonenotonlytoindividualsoulsbuttothecauseofLutheranismwheneveralaxandindifferentpracticeobtains...TheremustbegenuineunityofSpiritinthebondofpeace.OnlyifLutheransbuildonthisfoundationwillthestructureofLutheranismstand.Itwillcrumbleandfallifthefoundationisfaultyanddefective.ThisisthepositionoftheMissouriSynodtoday.(J.W.Behnken,FellowshipAmong 9  Lutherans,1946)7XX݌   Ќ      i^  %܉ &%& %a.%܉VI.AltarFellowship#%܉.%a^# i^^݌ + Ќ     o   ,z_  %%܉Aspecialfocusofconcerninthisareaisavirtualepidemicofnonscripturalpracticein [ thematterofadmissiontotheLord sSupper. OpenCommunion,thatisadmissiontothe F Sacramentwithoutagreementindoctrine,isbecomingincreasinglycommon.Initsmostblatantform OpenCommunionthrowsopentheLord sTabletoanywhowishtocome,or l toallbaptizedChristiansregardlessoftheirbeliefs.Amongourcongregations, OpenCommunionistypicallypracticedinoneofitsmoresubtlevarieties.Somewelcometheparticipationofeveryonewhoiswillingtoaffirmtherealpresence(howeverthattermmaybeunderstoodbytheindividual)nomatterwhattheirotherbeliefsmaybe.OthersinviteallthosewhoareconfirmedLutheransfromanychurchbodywhichbearsthatdenominationallabel,despitetheseriousdoctrinaldifferencesbetweenthevariousLutheransynods.Stillothersrequestthattheirvisitorsfromotherdenominationsbewillingtoidentifywiththefaithofthehostcongregation(typicallyundefined),andsimplyignoretheissueoftheirongoingmembershipinachurchofanotherdifferentconfession.Inwhateverguiseitappears,thepracticeof OpenCommunioncontradictsourLord sinstitutionoftheSacramentasa J## profoundexpressionofouronenesswithintheBodyofChrist(1Corinthians10:1417),aBiblicalunderstandingofthenatureoftheunityofthechurchinfaithandconfession(1Corinthians1:10;Ephesians4:3,1316;%XX%Romans16:17),%X%Xandanevangelicalconcernforthe  &[!& spiritualwelfareofthosewhodonotholdtoourBiblicalconfessionoffaith%& &%(1% &%&Corinthians &F"' 11:2730).Alltoooften,attemptstoraisesubstantiveconcernsinthisarea%XX%arelostinsemantic '1#( quibbling.Withdistressingfrequency,disagreementwiththeScripturalpracticeofhistoricChristendomisconcealedbehindthepretextoflegitimateexceptionswithintherealmofpastoralpractice.Noonedeniesthatexceptionalcircumstancescan%X%Xarisewherepastoraldiscretionmustbe *%+ applied,butwhentheexceptionbecomesroutine%XX%procedure,simpleintegrityrequiresthatdissent +&, fromtheScripturalpracticeitselfbeacknowledged.Ourleadersmustshowtheway,sothatGod22pleasingunityindoctrineandpracticemayberestored.Butsadly,inmanycases,thishasnot c-(. happened.Instead,communionpracticeamongthecongregationscontinuestodiversifyandourhistoricBiblicalstanceischallengedwithintheCouncilofPresidentsitselfwithoutpublicadmonitionorcorrection.Itisnowonderthatthepeopleareleftinconfusion.WeneetohearandheedDr.Waither searnestsummonstoconfessionalfaithfulnessandvigilanceinourcommunionpractices:z__݌ q Ќ     o oo  ,l  %& &X%X Themoreunionismandsyncretismisthesinandcorruptionofourtime,themoretheloyalty G  oftheorthodoxchurchnowdemandsthattheLord sSuppernotbemisusedasameansofexternal  a unionwithoutinternalunityoffaith...TheAntichristfirstsucceededinseatinghimselfinthemidstofGod stemplethroughapathyandcarelessnessinthechurch.Laterthroughtheapathyand   carelessnessofthechurchfalseunionismalsocrept%C &%&in.Now%& &%Citisuptoustofightagainstthisenemy o   andtodisentangleourselvesfromthewebsandthebindingsofthesyncretisticspiritofthetimes.MaythefaithfulandmercifulGodaidusandfillourheartswithahatredforthelyingspiritandagenuineinnerlovefortheWordofGodandtheTruth.(C.F.W.Walther,ThesesonCommunion   FellowshipWithThoseWhoBelieveDifferently,1870)l*m݌   Ќ  ,m o    q  %܉ &%& %a.%܉VII.WomenintheChurch#%܉.%a