Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026Committee 5Theology and Church Relations

Ov. 5-09

To Reconsider Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with The American Association of Lutheran Churches

Committee
5. Theology and Church Relations
Submitted by(2)
Circuit 13 (Indiana)circuitEnglish Districtdistrict
Workbook page
341

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) declared altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) at its 2007 convention (Res. 3-01); and

WHEREAS, The AALC has in recent years received into its membership numerous pastors and congregations that are former LCMS members, including pastors removed from the LCMS roster for cause; and

WHEREAS, The Synod recognizes fellowship with partner churches on the basis of agreement in doctrine and practice; and

WHEREAS, In these matters, the AALC has raised doubts about its agreement with the LCMS and its willingness to work together as a partner church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention call the AALC to repentance for its failures in ecclesiastical supervision and church relations and urge them to rectify these errors; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod dissolve its fellowship with the AALC at the 2029 Synod convention unless those errors have been rectified in advance of that convention to the satisfaction of the President of the Synod as the chief ecumenical officer of the Synod.