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WELS confesses and teaches that for church bodies to express unity and fellowship there needs to be full agreement in doctrine. Such fellowship is practiced when members of each church body can commune in congregations of the other; when members gather together in joint worship and prayer; and when churches join together in carrying out mission work, schools, and other means of grace ministry. But where there is no unity in doctrine, there can be no practice of fellowship.
Yet there are times when church bodies and synods that have differences in doctrine can work together for a common cause. That is the case when the common cause does not involve gospel ministry, joint mission work, or worship. Working together in situations that do not involve the ministry as such has been called “cooperation in externals.” In other words, it’s cooperation in matters outside the realm of church work.
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Author: Mark Schroeder
Volume 108, Number 7
Issue: July 2021
- Another humbling experience
- Our cross and crown
- The public ministry and the divine call
- No fear of bad news
- Big challenge, bigger blessings
- Our worldwide fellowship
- Seize the opportunities
- The Lord takes care of his church
- Savor the rain
- Up close and personal
- It’s never too early
- Thanks for not giving
- Hope for the future
- Our task is not over
- Update on WELS’ effort in Vietnam
- More workers for a bountiful harvest
- 150 years of fellowship
- A unique system of schools
- God’s cure—for everything
- Lenten repentance, Lenten appreciation
- Pray for us
- Plan with wisdom and faith
- Purposeful discussions
- Upholding biblical values
- President’s message: To judge or not to judge
- President’s message: A field ripe for harvest
- President’s message: Thoughts about the new hymnal
- President’s message: Cooperating in externals
- President’s message: Canceling the cancel culture
- President’s message: Making normal a reality
- President’s message: The fields are ripe for harvest
- President’s message: The end of the story
- President’s message: Blessings small and large
- President’s message: Standing on the truth
- President’s message: Peace on earth—but what kind?
- President’s message: Thankful—even now?
- President’s message: More than dollars and numbers
- President’s message: A time for trust
- President’s message: Future unknown, future certain
- President’s message: God’s work does not stop
- President’s message: A lesson to be learned
- President’s message: Having the right tools
- President’s message: What kind of leaders?
- President’s message: What’s love got to do with it?
