# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S316
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

*

‘ be reviewed and revised.

416 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

trict, congregations, and pastors, from without the English Dist;
for amalgamation, which has been an irritant. and Seriously re_
tarded the movement toward a natural amalgamation.

Tue CoMMITTEE ON AMALGAMATION

Rev. A. F. Bronn, Chairman Mr. W. H. Krorceg
Rev. F. C. Proew. Mr. E. F, ScHEUMAny
Rev. E. H. Berens, Secretary Mr. A. A. Mama

Committee Report
We have seriously considered the report of the District Com.

‘mittee on Amalgamation, and we concur in its report found on
‘pages 2 and 3 of the mimeographed memorials, and we heartily

commend our District Committee for its consecrated work and fine
evangelical spirit.
Action: The report was approved.
Tue EnciisH District
C. F. Danxwortn, Secretary

[520]
Re English District
’ Wuereas, Conditions have definitely changed during the thirty-
nine years since the signing of the agreement in 1911 between
Synod and the former English Lutheran Synod, now the English
District of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; and
Whereas, All Districts of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod in North America have become English-speaking Districts,
so that a séparate English District has become unnecessary; and
Wuereas, The continued existence of a District which has
no established boundaries and can therefore operate within the
areas of other Districts which are territorially limited leads to
friction and controversies within Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Central Ilinois District address an overture
to Synod advising that it is the considered opinion of the District
that the agreement of 1911 between Synod and the former English
Lutheran Synod, now the English District of our Synod, should

Tse CENTRAL ILLINOIS D1stTRIcT
H. E. Zoumermann, Secretary

For “New District for South Idaho and Utah” see Section X, [1014]

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 417

[521] Division of Michigan District

‘ Wuereas, Various memorials concerning division of the Dis-
trict were presented to the Michigan District Convention at
Saginaw in 1949;

Therefore the Michigan District petitions The Lutheran Church
_- Missouri Synod at its convention in 1950 to grant it permission
to effect a division of the District if, when, and how said Michigan
District deems such division advisable.

Henry C. Miter, Secretary

This memorial was endorsed by
THE GRAND Rapips Pastorat ConFERENCE OF WEST MicHican
meeting at Holland, Mich., November 8—10
E.M. Rumuic, Chairman Grorce Manoper, Secretary

522]
: Concerning Censorship in Synod

St. Matthew Lutheran Church and Jehovah Lutheran Church,
Detroit, Mich., herewith petition The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod to amend Section 6.163, paragraph “a,” of the By-Laws of
Synod to read as follows:

“a. The President and Vice-Presidents of Synod shall be
Synod’s official doctrinal censor of all manuscripts of a religious
or theological nature before they are published by Synod or any of
its agencies. The President and Vice-Presidents together may-
delegate the carrying out of this paragraph to any agency which
they may appoint for that purpose, but the responsibility shall
remain with the President and the Vice-Presidents.”

And that Section 6.163, paragraph “pb,” be amended to read
as follows:

“b. The Lutheran Witness and Der Lutheraner shall be the
official organs of Synod and shall be under the responsible editor-
ship of the President and Vice-Presidents, who shall appoint, and
may terminate the appointment. of, the editors or the editorial
committee.”

We feel that since the President’ and Vice-Presidents of Synod
are held responsible for the doctrine and practice of Synod, they
should be empowered to administer the right of censorship over all
official publications of Synod, that this right or authority should not
be vested in any group or body not directly elected by or respon-
sible to Synod. soe , .

The present system of censorship and appointment of the editors
and editorial committees is neither wise nor truly democratic. We