# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S350
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

and loving God’s Word and in being
equipped in ways of sharing Christ's love
in music, song, word, and life.

. We must redouble our efforts to equip our

people better by instruction in God’s Word
with its message of the “Good News” of
Christ’s love and then enable them by a
living example (on the job training to show
them how) to share Christ’s love with
others.

Arthur R. Johnson *
1. I have served for 16 years as a Lutheran

teacher and school administrator. I am
very interested in the recruitment of young
people to the service of the church. I am
strongly committed to Christian education
on all levels.

. Lam happy that our Synod has returned toa

theologically ‘‘conservative’’ position.
While the ‘““ELIM-Seminex” issue has been
painful to our church, I feel that the
Missouri Synod has become stronger
because of it.

. The Synod should strive for a broader and

more intensive mission outreach. This may
be done through the establishment of more
Christian schools, increased radio, tele-
vision, and print ministry, and increased
“evangelism education” in ourcolleges and
seminaries. The Synod needs to do every-
thing possible to put the Gospel of Christ
before people’s eyes.

Leland A. Pitsch *

1.

lam presently fulfilling the unexpired term
of Rev. Tom Kent. I have also worked with
both public and parochial boards of educa-
tion. My teaching experience has been in
small two-room schools as well as a six-
room school.

. My joy is to see Synod strive forward witha

NOMINATIONS

program like the Great Commission Con-
vocation and other such outreach pro-
grams. My disappointment is the way
inflation has placed an added burden on
the congregations to meet their commit-
ments.

3. Wehave nochoice but to boldly go forth and

spread the Word using all means at our
disposal. It is my belief that we need to
educate and convert our people right herein
our communities and congregations to be
better evangelists and start our missionary
work at home, then carry it to those further
away. We have been aiming missions work
“over there” for so long that our home front
seems to have weakened its ranks.

Erwin E. Knocke *
1, Ihave served the Lord as the Spirit has led

me—as a businessman active on civic and
governmental commissions—as a church
officer and Bible class teacher—as a lay
delegate at several District conventions
and the Anaheim synodical convention—
since the Dallas convention as St. John's
Board of Control member.

2. It is good that the theological trend of the

fifties and sixties has been changed, that
the intense open wrath between two fac-
tions has mostly abated. Personally, Ihave
been strengthened through Bible study,
much of it interdenominational. It seems
easier to find people studying Scripture
outside our faith than it is within it.

3. Despite the above answer, I have gained a

deeper appreciation for Lutheran theology,
but I believe we can learn from believers
from other faiths. Various gifts of the Holy
Spirit are not generally treasured or
respected in much of our church. We are not
a strong Bible-studying people valuing a
highly sanctified life. Good Bible study in

349

many of our synodical churches is more the
exception than the rule. These things
should change.

Merle Lietz
1. Ihave an interest in the college since two of

our daughters were Parish Worker gradu-
ates of St. John’s. Have had 17 years’
experience on local school board.

2. Greatest joy is the “Forward in Remem-

brance”’ thrust for missions and education
effort instead of the past years of discord
within the Synod when our main objective
of missions was lost in the church issue.

3. Go forward in faith as the Lord opens doors

for us here at home and throughout the

world—always remembering that He is

with us and will give us the ways and

means when we open our hearts and lives to
im.

BOARD OF CONTROL
ARGENTINA

Seminario Concordia

2 pastors, 3 laypersons to be elected.

PASTORS

Oscar Elsesser
Carlos E. Heidel
Fernando Hohn

LAYPERSONS

Humberto Raul Fischer
Luis Grams

Jorge Hardt

David Rein

Teodoro Ristau
Federico Wahler