# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) the past 110 years has been to proclaim Christ. uring that period of time the work carried out by the chool has changed and at the present time there are ve different programs for special children. In order to “encourage work among the deaf on the local level, the gchool has established an Ephphatha Award to encour- - age people to become involved in this effort. A number of persons had been nominated for the award, and Mr. ‘Rynearson pointed out that the awarding group had looked for a “surprised saint.” As a result they had chosen Don and Lois Fairman to receive the award "during the present year. He called upon President Meyer of the Southern District to present the award on behalf of the Lutheran School for the Deaf. The recipients responded briefly, interpreting their remarks in sign language to the convention. Professional Education © Chairman Arnold Kuntz of the Floor Committee on Professional Education introduced Res. 6-04A (TB 257) relating to shared responsibilty for higher education in Canada with the Lutheran Church—Canada. Prior to consideration of the resolution the Rev. Elroy Treit, president of the Lutheran Church—Canada, spoke to the delegates, relating his remarks to the matter of seminary education in Canada as well as the time line for autonomy of the Lutheran Church—Canada, which would be considered later in the convention. Following his remarks, the delegates adopted Res. 6-04A (TB 257) as presented. They also adopted Res. 6-08 (TB 148) which revised bylaws for the purpose of clarifying provisions for modified service and retirement of faculty members. During the discussion President Bohlmann pointed out that these revisions would not preclude the engagement of a faculty member to teach a specific course or to serve as a guest lecturer even after reaching the age of 75. The convention next adopted Res. 6-09 (TB 149) which asked the Board for Professional Education Services to consider alternatives to tenure for faculty members. This study was desirable because the present bylaws limit the percentage of faculty members who are normally tenured. In the discussion it became apparent that the delegates wished to have consideration given to a study of the possibility of changing present bylaws related to this matter. The convention next adopted Res. 6-10A (TB 180) which called for a review of presidential performance at the colleges and seminaries by the Board of Regents every five years. The review is to be conducted by the Board of Regents of each institution on the basis of an evaluation instrument prepared in consultation with the Boards of Regents of the institu- tions. The results of the evaluation are to be submitted promptly to the Board for Professional Education Services. Since the Synod has been unable to fund previous requests and has approved resolutions to decrease financial costs to full-time church work students and because there is an expectation that the newly formed Department of Stewardship and Financial Support will MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 45 be able to improve the financial status of the Synod, although its efforts will take time to bear fruit, the delegates agreed that Overtures 6-30, 6-31, and 6-46A— C should be declined by adopting Res. 6-11 (7B 150). These overtures had asked that full support be granted for theological students, for the increase of synodical financial support for teacher candidates, and the assumption of a major portion of seminary funding by the Synod. After declining to amend the resolution by substituting the word “required” for “encouraged” in line 15 (7B 151) the delegates adopted Res. 6-12(TB 150) entitled “To Further the Education of Seminary Pro- fessors.” This resolution encouraged seminary faculty members to incorporate some parish service experience during leaves, with these activities being adminstered by the seminaries with the assistance from District presidents. In adopting Res. 6-13 (TB 151) they also encouraged synodical college professors and teachers to gain parish experience. Res. 6-14 (TB 151), calling for the development of a plan for the recruitment of church workers, was introduced to the convention. Time expired however before consideration of this resolution could be completed. ‘ Administration and Program Implementation Dr. Richard Schlecht, chairman of the Floor Com- mittee on Administration and Program Implementa- tion, introduced Res. 4-02A (TB 225), which asked the Synod to proceed with a total Biblical stewardship plan and to address the problem of financial planning. After the resolution had been presented, the Chair indicated that the resolution would be discussed in three parts individually, that the delegates would then go back to the preamble and the whereases, and that the entire resolution would then be voted upon. During discussion of the resolution the delegates adopted an amendment which called for the insertion on line 69 (TB 225) of two resolves from Res. 12-05 adopted at the 1981 convention of the Synod. Because of the change in the convention cycle adopted at that convention, the word “biennium” in the resolves would be changed to the word “trien- nium.” The resolves which were to be added were as follows: “Resolved, That during the next triennium every congregation in the LCMS be encouraged to contact every member (individually or in a group setting) for their stewardship commitment and response; and be it further Resolved, That, God willing, during the next triennium all members of LCMS con- gregations be urged to give proportionately, moving toward or beyond tithing, by annually increasing their regular giving by dt least one percent of their personal income, e.g., two percent to three percent, ten percent to eleven percent.” After agreeing to cease debate the: assembly declined to refer the resolution back to com- mittee. However, they also declined to cease debate on the main motion. After agreeing to divide the question into two parts by a vote of 497 to 427 the delegates also agreed to extend the orders of the day to 6:30 p.m. if needed to discuss the resolution and to carry out the necessary final elections process.