Evening star., 1950-10-22
The Week in Religion
By RELIGIOUS News Service

major denominations gave en-
couragement~to the movement for
Protestant unity in America.
Lutheran unity was a chief
topic at the week-long biennial
conventions of the United Lu-
theran Church and the American
Lutheran Church. The former
met at Des Moines, Iowa, and the
latter at Columbus, Ohio.
Two proposals were adopted by
the United Lutheran Church ex-
pressing its ardent conviction
that the Lutheran Churches in
America should be united now
''for the greater glory of God and
the more effective proclamation of
the Gospel in a troubled world.
Complete Union Urged.
The first proposal called for
complete organic union with the
seven other participating bodies
of the National Lutheran Coun-
Gil. The other favored transform
ing the council into a federation
as an intermediate step to merger
One or both of the proposals,
recommended by the so-called
Committee of Thirty-Four on
Lutheran Unity, were rejected by
other church bodies of the Ma
tional Lutheran Council at con-
ventions this year. This meant
that the ULCA action will have
no immediate effect.
A more decisive step toward
unity was taken by the American
Lutheran Church convention
Without a dissenting vote, the
delegates approved three-way
merger with the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church and the United
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Favor. Merger Plan.
The two last-named groups
have already voted favorably on
the merger plan. The proposal
calls for the naming of joint
committee to study the doctrinal
practices of the three bodies and
make recommendations to their
1852 conventions.
In another unanimous action,
the Columbus convention en-
powered American Lutheran repre-
sentatives on the joint committee
to negotiate on organic union with
two other churches-the Angus
tana Lutheran Church and the
Lutheran Free Church.
Church union was also major
topic at the International Conven-
ton of the Disciples of Christ held
at Oklahoma City. The Disciples
now report a record membership
of 100000 in the United States.
Vote to Meet in Chicago.
In line with long-range merger
plans worked out with the Ameri-
can Baptist Convention, the Dis
ciples voted to hold their 1852
meeting in Chicago simultaneously
with that of the Baptist Conven-
ton. 1t was announced that at
least four joint sessions will be
held.
Further steps to merge the two
bodies were deferred by the Dis
ciples because of an action taken
by the Baptists last May. At that
time, the Baptists voted to discard
previously adopted timetable of
steps leading to merger.
Although this action was viewed
by the Disciples as rejecting op-
position among some Baptists to
union, they instructed their
merger commission to continue
Ito explore the ways of further
ing good will and cooperative
endeavor" between the two bodies.
Segregation Denounced.
Highlight of the Disciples
meeting was the adoption of reso-
lutions renouncing racial segrega-
ton in both church and secular
life, and warning young people of
the denomination against certain
problems" involved in marriages
with Roman Catholics.
In another resolution, the Dis
ciples recorded their "unalterable
opposition" to the establishment
of diplomatic relations between
the United States Government
and the head of any religion,
sect, society or church"
An unprecedented action was
taken by the United Lutheran
Church when its 600 delegates
voted overwhelmingly to assume
full membership in the new Ma
tional Council of the Churches of
Christ in the U. S. A. The action
committed the church for the first
time in its 32-year history to un-
qualified membership in an inter-
denominational agency. A similar
decision has already been made
by the Augustana Lutheran
Church and the Danish Lutheran
Church.
Latin Division Approved.
Another significant step was
taken by the United Lutheran
Church when it approved the set
ting up of division of co-opera-
ton in Latin America by the Ma
tional Lutheran Council. The plan
was previously indorSed by other
council member bodies.
Adoption of a detailed program
that the council is now empow-
cred to draft will mark the first
time that the Lutheran churches
in America have united their eff
forts to initiate cooperative work
in foreign missions.
Meanwhile, Protestant concern
over the growing need for a greater
spiritual impact in social life was
reflected at the Conference of Lay
men of the Universalist Church
held here.
New Group Approved.
A resolution adopted by the
conference asserted that in any
discussion of social, economic and