# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S342 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) congregational members and renewed momentum to outreach efforts. 3. TheSynod should continue to provide active leadership and attempt to resolve doctrinal differences with our Lutheran brothers and to encourage membership growth through evangelism. Encourage members to share their religious beliefs and reflect these values in their daily lives. Evangelism through education and personal commit- ment is a desirable goal. BOARD OF CONTROL FORT WAYNE 1 pastor, 1 teacher, 2 laypersons to be elected. PASTORS Barry C. Foerster, 39, Caro, MI: St. Paul (MC); pastor. S. Pastoral Adv. to Bd. Dir. Evangelical Lutheran Church of England. C. Pastor 14. Walter C. Maas, 62, Indianapolis, IN: Trinity (IN); pastor. S. Bd. of Control, Fort Wayne 8. D. BPE 4. C. Pastor 40. TEACHERS Roy G. Kaiser, 48, Rochester, MI: St. John (MC); principal. S. Bd. of Control, Fort Wayne 5. D. Bd. Dir. LHS Assoc. Detroit 2; School Com. Bd. of Educ. 9; Church Ext. Bd. 4; Fiscal Review Bd. 8. C. Teacher 25. O. Chm. MI Luth. Princ. 2; Chm. S & E MI Luth. Teachers 2; Treas. Luth. Educ. Assoc. 2; Sec.- Treas. Dept. of Luth. Princ. 4. Lowell E. Klemm, 39, Elkhart, IN: Trinity (IN); principal/teacher. S. Conv. Dele. 1. D. NID Teachers Conf. 3. C. Sec. 2; Bldg. Com. 2; Yth. Dir. 13; Teacher 17. O. Sec. Calumet Luth. Princ. Conf. 2. LAYPERSONS William C. Christian, 65, Miami, FL: Faith, Hialeah (FG); retired professional in- vestigator. D. Bd. Evang. 2. C. Pres. 6; Sec. 2: Elder 8; Evang. 6; Stewp. 4. John A. Daniels, 50, St. Louis, MO: Salem (MO); executive director LLL. S. Conv. Nom. 2. D. Chm. Bd. Dir. St. Catharines 3; Evang. Com. 4; Bd. Adj. 4. C. Elder 3; Chm. 5; Treas.; Evang.; Stewp. O. Mgr. LLL Canada5. David G. Ebeling, 39, Bloomington, IN: Faith (IN); school administrator. S. Bd. Control, Fort Wayne 3. D. Bd. of Educ. 3. C. Teacher 6; Yth. Cslr. 17; Pres. 2. Ronald L. Reinking, 42, Fort Wayne, IN: Trinity (IN); Certified Public Accountant. S. Bd. Control, Fort Wayne 2. D. Ad Hoc Com. Admin. 2. C. Chm. 2; Treas. 5. O. Concordia Luth. HLS. Treas. 5. Barry C. Foerster * 1. I have served as pastoral advisor to the Executive Council or Board of Directors while serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England. In our meetings we discussed the work and policy of our small Lutheran seminary in Cambridge. I am interested in reading theology and keeping up with the theological trends, believing very much that as the seminaries go, so will go the church in the same direction as the professors teach. 2. Iam grateful to see how our Missouri Synod has turned around and now is on a path of sound Biblical and Lutheran theology. I remember when studying at the Springfield Seminary the turmoil our Synod was exper- iencing, and since returning from my service in England, it is a great joy to me to see our Synod faithful to our Lord’s Word. 3. It’s a joy to our Lord and His people to see greater emphasis of evangelism in the community and mission work in the world. Yet we need to remember to feed the sheep already in the fold with teaching, edifica- tion, and exhortation through His Word and Sacrament. We pastors, while encour- NOMINATIONS aging every member to use their gifts in the Kingdom work, need to urgently recognize our gift and calling in preaching and teaching. Walter C. Maas 1. Iam currently a member of the Board and served as secretary for four years and chair- man for two years. I was involved in the move from Springfield to Fort Wayne. I believe this experience is helpful. 2. My greatest joy is that we are now headed in a good, solid, conservative direction, and are turning out the same kind of solid men at each of our two seminaries. 3. I believe we should follow the program set at St. Louis in 1979, equipping the saints and getting them out to do the job they’re equipped for. I believe the problem is more lack of doing than of not knowing how to 0. Roy G. Kaiser * 1. Asan educator in the church for the past 25 years I pray that I am sensitive to the need for quality Christian education at all levels of development. We must continue to strive for excellence in the educational system of our Synod—equipping pastors and teachers both spiritually and academically. 2. I am pleased to see the unity and healing that are visible in our Missouri Synod since the past convention. We appear to be on target once again of “making disciples of all men”! 3. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a challenging future before it. We have shown the Christian church that a church body can remain true to the Scriptures and not only survive but also grow! Let us use the tremendous power of God’s Word and our dedicated churchmen to expand our programs and parameters both at home and abroad. Lowell E. Kiemm 1. I have served The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod for 17 years as teacher, principal, and youth director. I have a personal commitment to serve my Lord in whatever way He chooses for me.I strongly believe in our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s theological stance, and in its system of training institutions for pastors and teachers. 2. Tam pleased that our Synod has remained faithful to the Holy Scriptures, and has focused its energies toward carrying out the Great Commission of our Lord. I am also pleased with the particular emphasis on individual Bible study in each and every congregation. Synod’s strength lies in faithful commitment to the Lord through the Scriptures. 3. Synod must continue to train professional church workers, and congregational lay- men in being the church. Emphasis on personal and group Bible study, as well as training of laymen in evangelism needs continued attention. Continued heavy emphasis on establishing and strengthen- ing overseas missions needs to bea priority. We need to continue to keep open channels of communication with other Christian groups, not with the thought of forsaking our beliefs for unity, but with the idea of witnessing to others of our faith and understanding. William C. Christian 1. My experience in the field of education, public, parochial, and military, as well as being a student of Scripture committed to His Word are necessary qualities for this position. Decisions I make in my life are based upon my Savior’s commands and promises. 2. I rejoice that Synod is resolved in its faith- fulness to Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran 341 Confessions. God, in His mercy, has con- tinued to lead Synod in all areas of Kingdom work. Synod is committed to training true and faithful pastors and teachers insuring the continued proclama- tion of God’s holy Law and Gospel. 3. The objects set up by Synod in its Articles of Incorporation and Constitution fully answers this question in re Matthew 28. We must never forget that God, by the power of His Holy Spirit through His Word, builds His church. Remove the Word, you have no church. Remove the means of grace and you set aside the Holy Spirit. God opens doors and gives Synod the challenges to serve Him. Synod must be alert to respond effectively. John A. Daniels 1. The fact that I was privileged to serve as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Extension of Concordia Seminary at St. Catharines gave me some insights. In this capacity I came into contact with many of the personnel, including Dr. Preus at Con- cordia Seminary, Fort Wayne. 2. It pleases me to see us getting back to studying the Word of God more diligently than ever before, and stressing evangelism and missions in a very enthusiastic manner. I thank my God that many are returning to the Word, which is our only source and strength in carrying out the Great Commission. 3. As stated in No. 2, if our people would daily study the Word of God and spend some time in meditation and prayer, I believe that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we would move forward mightily. The direction taken at the 1979 synodical convention and the enthusiasm that was shown for missions have put our Synod on the right course. David G. Ebeling 1. I will have completed one full term as a member of this Board of Control. My pro- fessional life included teaching in higher education and the administration of a 12,000-student public school district. My wife and I are both graduates of synodical schools and have both taught in Lutheran elementary schools. 2. Joy: The increase in recognition of personal witnessing asa critical factorin the church, especially greater emphasis on lay involve- ment in the daily work of ministering to each other. Disappointment: an aware- ness, because of board membership, of some of the “political games” that are played in the name of Christian education. 3. Synod should continue its trend towards increasing emphasis on all missions: local, regional, and world. Training in the synod- ical colleges must focus on leaders that will assist all laymen to be witnesses wherever they are. Greater emphasis must be given to funding schools that produce profes- sional church workers, so that the quality of faculties, facilities, and programs does not deteriorate. As a foundation, emphasis must continue on the teaching and preach- ing of the true Word. Ronald L. Reinking 1. Having served on the Board of Control for the previous two-year term I have gained experience and insight in the operations of our seminary. With a financial and business background I am hopeful I can continue to assist the school in these areas. 2. It is of great concern to me that we are unable to increase our support of the mission program. Even though we have undeniable need, our people have not been motivated sufficiently to respond. Our Synod should have no greater priority than an aggressive mission effort, at home and abroad.