# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S438
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
54th Regular Convention
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
July 3-10, 1981

Following is a summary overview of major actions and other happenings of
the 1981 Synod convention. It is hoped that delegates and others would find
it- useful in helping sort through the week, especially in reporting on the
convention back home. Please keep in mind that the information here is only a
"highlight," not meant to be all-inclusive, nor to contain information about
measures not yet acted on at the time it was prepared. For reports on those
later actions, delegates might want to include information that will appear in
a final convention summary in the July 15 issue of the Reporter.

convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, as delegates set direction
for a number of major changes in the 2.7 million member Synod.

These included election of a new president, vice presidents and other
officers, a "streamlining" of the synodical structure, termination of
fellowship with The American Lutheran Church, along with changes, new
emphases, and directions in virtually all areas of the church's work and life.

From a more technical standpoint, delegates were faced with a number of
complex issues, especially in the areas of the re-structure, elections, and
finances, particularly evident in the number of issues that were debated at
length, postponed and recalled later.

Mid-way through the convention, President J.A.O. Preus took note of those
complexities from the podium, telling the delegates, "When you go home, you
can tell your grandchildren you attended the most complicated convention in
the entire history of the LCMS, God willing." He thanked them for their work
and said, "Your patience, perception and temper are exemplary."

The diligent nature of the delegation was enhanced by the spirit of calm
that prevailed. Synodical conventions in the late 1960's and through most of
the 1970's were often punctuated with tensions related to the church's
controversy over interpretation of Scripture. However, that mood began to
swing around at the 1977 Dallas convention, here in St. Louis two years ago,
and was virtually non-existent at this year's convention.

The 54th convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod opened Friday
night, July 3, with a cammunion ‘service.

In the sermon based on Acts 20:35, Synod Fourth Vice-President Robert
Sauer spoke of the blessings associated with giving.

By helping the weak, Sauer pointed out, Christians give back to God the
time, talent and treasure they have from God. The weak have many needs, the
greatest of which is the need of "all people to believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ," he said.

Business sessions got underway Saturday as the delegates heard a report
from President J.A.O. Preus.

Preus, who announced last year that he would not stand for re-election to
a fourth four-year term, gave the convention an overview of Synod's work and
challenged all to "...go to work and carry out its marvelous mission of
preaching the Gospel and loving our fellowmen."

Preus advised the delegates of a number of factors involved in the
proposal to break altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church.

"We will either have to change our stance on the whole subject of church
fellowship, or reach some kind of accommodation in which the position of the
Synod is upheld but allowing a certain amount of latitude at the local level,
or simply adopt a resolution calling for more patience, more discussion, and
delaying the decision until some later time, or rescind fellowship established
in 1969," Preus said.