Spontaneous applause, brisk handclapping, and cheers greeted the announcement that the vote for pulpit and altar fellowship with the American Lutheran Church had passed—with a little to spare—at the Missouri Synod convention in Denver last month (see News, August 1 issue, page 34).
But only twenty-four hours later, a concerted conservative effort had been mounted to rescind the fellowship action. Announcement of a committee to plan for a national convention—with September mentioned as the time and Chicago the place—was made during waning hours of the Denver meeting.
Newly named Missouri Synod president Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus immediately discounted the seriousness of the apparent split, and urged the committee to “hold off such a convention for awhile.” Corridor rumors had it that 1,000 of the denomination’s 6,000 congregations would leave or withhold up to $5 million over the issue.
Spokesman A. O. Gebauer of Chicago said the committee’s primary purpose “is to continue our struggle for a truly confessional stand on Scripture …” and cautioned alarmists not to bolt the Synod. The committee pledged itself to work for reconciliation.
Another committee member indicated reunification could occur only if the conservatives “act together and in harmony.” Chairman of the new group is Larry Marquardt, a Dundee, Illinois, layman. A war chest will be established at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
