The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) was established on November 6, 1987. It was organized by pastors and congregations, primarily from the American Lutheran Church, who were concerned over certain doctrinal positions adopted by the Commission for a New Lutheran Church (CNLC). The CNLC had been given the responsibility to bring into being a merger of three churches: the American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC), and the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). Of particular concern to the pastors and congregations that organized the AALC was the position the CNLC had taken on the doctrine of the authority of Scripture. (As a result of the work of the CNLC, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America came into being on January l, 1988.) As of February 15, 2007, the membership of the AALC is as follows: 79 congregations, 107 pastors (not including emeriti), 11,771 communicant members and 14,137 baptized members.

Representatives from the AALC and the LCMS began meeting together in 1988. Between 1988 and 1998 five meetings were held for the purpose of sharing background information and exploring areas of agreement in official documents. The assistance of the LCMS was requested by the AALC in seminary training, military chaplaincies, and the area of social ministry. It was during this time that the AALC established a Builders for Christ organization, which was modeled after the LCMS's Laborers for Christ.

In March 2005, after a lapse of six years during which the AALC further clarified its doctrinal position and practice, representatives from both churches began meeting together once again. Both church bodies expressed interest at this time in holding doctrinal discussions for the purpose of moving toward altar and pulpit fellowship. In this and three subsequent meetings held in 2005 and 2006 the following topics were discussed in depth: the doctrine of Holy Scripture, the meaning of communion, inter-Christian relationships, the role of women in the church, and piety versus pietism. Later the issue of lodge membership was addressed. During the course of these discussions the AALC in June 2005 decided, upon the invitation of the LCMS, to move its seminary on to the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a relationship that was effected in September 2006 as AALC began preparing for ministry at the LCMS seminary

Representing the LCMS in these discussions were: President Gerald Kieschnick; Dr. Charles Arand, Chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology of Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis and a member of the CTCR; Dr. William Diekelman, LCMS First Vice President; Dr. Raymond Hartwig, Secretary of the LCMS; and Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Executive Director of the CTCR.

On the basis of these long-term discussions, the LCMS representatives have concluded, and reported to the President of the Synod, that doctrinal agreement exists between the AALC and the LCMS and that there is nothing that would prohibit the churches from entering into altar and pulpit fellowship with one another. In accordance with the procedures established by the Synod and set forth in its bylaws (3.9.6.2.2.(b), 2004 Handbook, p. 176), the Commission on Theology and Church Relations adopted unanimously a resolution at its February 15-16, 2007 meeting recommending that the LCMS enter into altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Association of Lutheran Churches.

Whereas, The American Association of Lutheran Churches was founded upon and has maintained a strong commitment to the Scriptures as the authoritative, inspired, and inerrant Word of God; and

Whereas, The AALC has from its inception sought discussions with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to explore ways in which the two church bodies might work with one another; and

Whereas, Five exploratory meetings were held between the AALC and LCMS between 1988 and 1998; and

Whereas, Article III of the Synod's constitution states that one of Synod's first objective is to "work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies"; and

Whereas, The AALC and LCMS initiated formal doctrinal discussions aimed at the establishment of altar and pulpit fellowship in 2005; and

Whereas, Formal theological discussions between representatives of the AALC and the LCMS have revealed that agreement in doctrine and practice exists between our churches; and

Whereas, Our partner churches in the International Lutheran Council have had the opportunity to meet with the presiding pastor of the AALC at the International Lutheran Council meeting in Berlin, Germany, August 27-September 2, 2005; and

Whereas, This proposal has been shared with the partner churches of the LCMS and their input has been requested, and respondents have expressed their approval of the LCMS declaring church fellowship with the AALC; and

Whereas, The AALC has expressed a desire to join together with The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod in bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel upon the basis of the inerrant Scriptures; and

Whereas, The President of Synod has expressed support for this resolution and has asked the CTCR to address the declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship in keeping with Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2.(b); and

Whereas, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations has received comprehensive reports on these discussions and, in accordance with its bylaw responsibilities, has recommended the establishment of altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCMS and the AALC; therefore be it

Resolved, That we give thanks and praise to God for the faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in the American Association of Lutheran Churches to the Holy Scriptures and to Lutheran confessional theology and for their faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude to God the unity of confession that He has given to our churches under the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod formally declare altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Association of Lutheran Churches; and be if further

Resolved, That the LCMS recognize the The American Association of Lutheran Churches as a partner church and that the President of the Synod be responsible for implementing this relationship; and be it further

Resolved, That we implore the Lord of the Church to continue to strengthen the bond of fellowship between our churches and that, ablaze with His Spirit, we may together be renewed in our commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ to all the world; and be it finally

Resolved, that upon passing this resolution we rise to sing the Common Doxology to the glory of God.

Approved by Commission on Theology and Church Relations
February 16,2007