# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S26
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

26 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

implement ways and means by which that active
participation and support could be effectively used.
They further asked that congregations make special
efforts for youth to participate in all levels of the
church’s work including Circuit Forums, Circuit con-
vocations, and District- and synodwide activities. The
convention adopted the resolution as presented. Before
consideration of the resolution by the delegates, the
word “synodical” had been changed to “national” in
lines 19 and 23 (7B 49).

Elections

President Paul Wendling, reporting for the Commit-
tee on Registration, Credentials, and Elections, reported
that at the time of balloting for the First Vice-President
1,114 delegates were registered and that in the balloting
1,036 votes had been cast with 519 needed for election.
The following election results were reported: Dr. Richard
Hinz—118, Dr. G. Wil Hyatt—160, Dr. Joseph Lava-
lais—100, Dr. Walter A. Maier, Jr.—133, Dr. Robert
Sauer—525. Dr. Robert Sauer was declared elected as
First Vice-President. In a brief response he thanked the
delegates for their support and assured the Synod of his
determination to serve the Synod to the best of his
ability.

President Wendling then explained to the delegates
election procedures which would be followed for the
remaining vice-presidential positions. Ballots were
distributed. After the voting had been completed, the
balloting was declared closed.

Parish, Youth, and Communication Services

Floor Committee Chairman Kromphardt next pre-
sented Res. 2-02A (TB 170), which called for support of
Lutheran Youth Fellowship and its mission projects. In
this resolution the Synod expressed its continued
support for a commitment to the growth of this synodi-
cal youth organization and encouraged congregations
to urge their youth groups to affiliate with Lutheran
Youth Fellowship and to implement its program. The
resolution was adopted as presented. The delegates
expressed their support for the 1983 synodical Youth
Gathering, encouraging congregations to pray for the
youth before and during the gathering as well as to
utilize the experiences of gathering participants through
sharing, caring, and building upon their experiences as
a resource using the postgathering materials to carry
the glory of God through the mission of the church.
They did this by adopting Res. 2-03(7B50). In adopting
Res. 2-04 (7B 50) they encouraged the Board for Evangel-
ism Services to develop materials for programs that
provide training in evangelism for youth and young
adults, encouraged congregations to provide opportuni-
ties for these persons to be involved in the organized
programs of the parish, and encouraged the Board for
Evangelism Services and the Board for Youth Services
to be alert for new methods and means to assist the
youth and young adults of the church in being witnesses
of our Lord Jesus Christ. During discussion of the
resolution several amendments were declined. The first

was to insert the words “in consultation with the
Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ” in line 57, as well as
an amendment to include the words “and utilize exist-
ing materials such as those developed by Ongoing
Ambassadors for Christ’ after the word “materials” in
line 56 (TB 50).

Closing Devotion

The closing devotion for the afternoon session was
led by Dr. Walter Rosin, executive secretary of the Board
for Professional Education Services, and included the
singing of ahymn by the delegates which consisted ofa
prayer asking for the Lord to send forth workers into
His harvest.

Session 3
Sunday, July 10, Afternoon
Celebration, Bible Study, and Worship Service

In keeping with one of the convention themes, a
celebration relating to ministry by and to youth was
held at the Alfonso J. Cervantes Center on Saturday
evening. On Sunday morning Dr. Jean Garton led the .
delegates in a forum on the family, using Luther’s words
relating to husbands and fathers, wives and mothers,
and children. In each of these areas she compared his
high view of the Christian family to contemporary ~
views in the United States today. After an intermission
of hymn singing, the delegates took part in a worship
service with Dr. Robert Sauer serving as liturgist and
Dr. Gerhardt Hyatt serving as the preacher.

Opening Devotion

Following the pattern established for the convention,
the opening devotion for the afternoon session was led
by youth representatives attending the convention. The
Bible passage, which Luther used to introduce the
section on Christian doctrine relating to the Lord’s
Supper, was 1 Cor. 11:23-25. This was followed by the
answer which was given to the question, What is the
sacrament of the altar? One of the youth representatives
described the personal meaning of these words to him,
and the devotion was then closed with the singing of the
contemporary song, “Sons of God.”

Announcements

Among announcements which were made, President
Bohlmann indicated that cassette tapes of the conven-
tion would be available to congregations and delegates.

Special Award

Earlier in the year Concordia Seminary, St. Louis;
had determined to grant the degree of Doctor of Laws to
General John W. Vessey, Jr., chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Dr. Bohlmann introduced Dr. Karl Barth, president of
Concordia Seminary, who introduced a number of
general military officers from the immediate area.
Following the reading of a citation by Dr. August
Suelflow, a member of the Honors Committee of Con-