Strangers to Sisters - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library: Essays
Strangers to Sisters - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library: Essays
Strangers to Sisters - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library: Essays
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objection <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Synod doing English work in the area, for both Norwegian<br />
and German can find nurture in a common language. But a German-English mission<br />
would cause many Norwegians <strong>to</strong> stay away. If the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Synod made this<br />
concession, then the Norwegians would politely bow out from the area. 196 In some ways,<br />
the transition <strong>to</strong> English brought the synods closer <strong>to</strong>gether.<br />
In summary, this case is but a snapshot of the sometimes awkward impressions<br />
that the two synods left with each other during their early intersynodical dealings. The<br />
awkwardness confirms the cultural differences and the fraternal distance that the two<br />
initially had with each other. Thankfully, both synods worked through their first<br />
impressions <strong>to</strong> find a unity of spirit.<br />
III. The Intersynodical Theses (1915-1929)<br />
The s<strong>to</strong>ry of the Intersynodical Theses is one that is always <strong>to</strong>ld by <strong>Wisconsin</strong><br />
Synod his<strong>to</strong>rians with a sense of disappointment. One can agree <strong>to</strong> a point with E.C.<br />
Fredrich that the Intersynodical Theses were “the last viable effort <strong>to</strong> enlarge the sway of<br />
the Synodical Conference.” 197 The Theses, nonetheless, were a failure. Yet that failure<br />
had the unexpected side effect of closer relations between the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Synod and the<br />
ELS.<br />
While the Madison Agreement had been officially rejected by the Synodical<br />
Conference already in 1912, some pas<strong>to</strong>rs in Sibley County, MN thought that the<br />
document was a good starting point <strong>to</strong> begin discussions among the Ohio, Iowa, Missouri<br />
and <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Synods. After a number of meetings in Gaylord (Sibley County) and St.<br />
196 Tjernagel <strong>to</strong> Berholz, December 5, 1925.<br />
197 Fredrich, The <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Synod <strong>Lutheran</strong>s, 179.<br />
102