# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1371
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONVENTION MINUTES 911

and to use the reactions for the furtherance of agreement... Specific
accusations in the memorials touching “A Statement” are to be
referred to the proper channels authorized by the present session
of Synod. (T.B., p.196, Resolutions 20, 21.)

Committee 3 was discharged with a rising vote of thanks.

President Hasse of the Brazil District bade the convention
farewell, wishing them Godspeed in their work and voicing the
prayer that God would give to our Synod the spirit of unity.
Dr. Behnken charged him to greet the brethren in Brazil and
besought for him a safe journey and Godspeed in his work.

(Committee 20A and 20B)

Synod sustained the decision of the Board of Appeals in the
Minnesota District appeal (T. B., p. 163) and in the Western District
appeal (T.B., p.150). Synod declined to publish the unprinted
memorial of the Owensville, Mo., congregation. President Roschke
of the Western District was granted the privilege of making a state-
ment in connection with the decision of the Board of Appeals.

Statement of the President of the Western District relating to
the action in the Owensville Case:

To The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, assembled
in convention at Milwaukee, Wis., June 21—30, 1950

Dear BRETHREN: .

Upon recommendation of the Committee of Review The Lutheran
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 Owensville, 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 congre-
gations need not be bound by Synod’s Constitution 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
consent 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