# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S30
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

30 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

opportunity had been given for both sides of an issue to
be heard. He also indicated that a call for ceasing debate
when an amendment was involved would be limited to
the amendment in order to allow time for a discussion of
the main resolution.

Structure and Constitution

Chairman Wilbert Griesse of the Floor Committee on
Structure and Constitution introduced Res. 5-04, which
called for a continuation of the current process of
electing members to college Boards of Regents. During
this discussion a call for consideration of Overture 5-62
(CW 228) as a substitute motion was declined. During
further discussion the delegates also declined to refer
Res. 5-04 back to the committee. Time then expired
before action on the resolution could be completed.

Greetings

Dr. Reuben Swanson, president of LCUSA, was
introduced to the delegates by President Bohlmann. In
his remarks to the convention he congratulated Presi-
dent Bohlmann and Dr. Robert Sauer upon their election
and paid tribute to the excellent leadership which had
been provided in the past by Dr. Herbert Mueller as
former president of the LCUSA. He also introduced Dr.
John Houck, general secretary of LCUSA, who spoke
briefly to the convention.

Dr. William Kohn, president of the AELC, was also
introduced to the convention and was given an oppor-
tunity to speak to the delegates. He expressed his
gratitude for the opportunity to be present and shared
his hope for possible closer working relationships with a
new Lutheran church, of which the AELC will bea part,
sometime in the future.

Elections

Chairman Wendling, of the Floor Committee on
Registration, Credentials, and Elections, reported on the
balloting for the Fourth and Fifth Vice-Presidential
positions. He indicated that at the time of voting 1,126
voting delegates were registered, 2,176 votes were cast,
and 545 were needed for election. The results of the elec-
tion were as follows: Oswald Hoffmann—525, Walter A.
Maier, Jr.—593, Charles Mueller—518, George Wollen-
burg—540. Dr. Walter A. Maier, Jr., was declared elected
as Fourth Vice-President of the Synod. Names remain-
ing on the ballot for Fifth Vice-President will be those of
Dr. Oswald Hoffmann and Dr. George Wollenburg.

Professional Education

Chairman Arnold Kuntz of the Floor Committee on
Professional Education requested permission to delay
the introduction of Res. 6-04 involving governance of
Canadian higher education until an opportunity had
been given to meet with interested Canadian delegates
on this matter. The permission was granted.

He then introduced Res. 6-05 (TB 146) relating to a
revision of Bylaws governing colloquy procedures for
pastors. During the brief discussion which followed an
amendment was introduced calling for the deletion of

Bylaw 5.77, 4 (TB 147, lines 39—44). During discussion
of the amendment a request to strike the words “to a
special ethnic or linguistic group” in lines 60—61 (TB
147) was declared out of order.

Recognition

Discussion of Res. 6-05 was interrupted in order to
provide an opportunity for a special presentation. Dr.
David Schmiel, president of Concordia College, Ann
Arbor, was given the opportunity to honor Dr. JosephG.
Lavalais, Second Vice-President of the Synod, with the
“Christus Primus” Award. After the citation had been
read and the award granted, President Bohlmann read
a script coordinated with a visual presentation on the
ministry of Dr. Lavalais. Following this, Dr. Lavalais
addressed the convention briefly expressing his thanks
for having had the opportunity to serve his Lord. He
concluded his remarks by stating, “T am what I am by
the grace of God. Him I proclaim.”

Professional Education

After the presentation to Dr. Lavalais discussion
was resumed on Res. 6-05 (7B 147). During the discus-
sion the delegates agreed to cease debate on it at this
time. Time for the work of the committee expired before
final action could be taken on the resolution.

Dr. Guido Merkens

Because he would be leaving the convention to
attend the World Congress on Evangelism, which was
meeting in Amsterdam, Dr. Guido Merkens, Third Vice-
President of the Synod, was given the opportunity to
speak a word of farewell to the convention. Since heh
declined nomination for vice-presidential positions, h
took the opportunity to speak a word of farew
thanking the delegates for the privilege of serving the
for an extended period of time. He also expressed.hi
thanks to the District Presidents, to his congregation
which had been understanding during extende
absences, to Dr. J. A. O. Preus, immediate past President
of the Synod, and to Dr. Bohlmann.

Committee on Nominations

Dr. Elwood Zimmermann, chairman of the Floo1
Committee on Nominations, referred the delegates to
the report of the Nominating Committee found in t
Convention Workbook, page 229. The major recom:
mendation being made by the committee is that in th
future the Nominating Committee be established at.an
earlier date. Before reading the nominations it:
pointed out that if additional nominations were m
from the floor, it would be necessary to provide bio
graphical information on the nominee and to have hii
consent for being placed on the ballot. After all nomi
tions had been received, the delegates adopted t.
following slate of candidates:

Secretary

Howard Kramer, Ann Arbor, MI (MC)
Richard A. Krogen, Coon Rapids, MN (MNS)
Walter L. Rosin, St. Louis, MO (MO)