# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1291
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

812 APPEAL MATTERS

that the Board of Appeals did everything in their power to follow
the proper procedure, and therefore your Committee recommends
that the decision of the Board of Appeals be confirmed by this
convention. ,

The convention permitted the Rev. E. L. Roschke, President
of the Western District, to make the following statement: °

Dear BRETHREN:

Upon recommendation of the Committee of Review, The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod has made the decision of the
Board of Appeals in the case of the Western District versus the
Rev. Paul Melcher and Zion Lutheran Church of Owensville, Mo.,
its own.

The Western District stands charged with the duty of receiving
the Rev. Paul Melcher and Zion Lutheran Church of Owens-
wille, Mo., back into membership.

Synod by. adopting the opinion of the Board of Appeals in the
case of the Western District versus the Rev. Paul Melcher and
Zion. Lutheran Church of Owensville, Mo., has in effect ruled that
pastors and congregations need not be bound by Synod’s Consti-
tution and By-Laws.

Since this case involves an underlying principle which will
influence the whole question of synodical supervision of doctrine
and life and administration of office, and since many souls are
affected by this decision of the Board of Appeals, therefore

The Praesidium of the Western District, acting with the con-
sent of the Board of Directors of this District, finds itself in con-
science bound compelled to inform Synod that the Western District
cannot receive the Rev. Paul Melcher and Zion Lutheran Church
of Owensville into membership of the Western District until the
matter has been placed before the next convention of the Western
District. (Signed) E. L. Roscuxe, President, Western District

(Re Unprinted Memorial 85)

Wuereas, The unprinted memorial of the Zion Lutheran
Church, Owensville, Mo., and its pastor, the Rev. P. Melcher, to
which are appended four documents and a request that these
documents be printed in the Proceedings of the 1950 convention,
concern themselves with matters of past history;. and

Wuereas, Nothing would be gained by their publication; there-
fore be it ;

Resolved, That Synod decline this request.

ACTION
The above report of Committee 20B was received by Synod.