# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S171
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION 171

rectors and the District Boards of Directors, the Synod’s
convention and the District conventions, the Synod’s officers
and staff and the District officers and staffs with respect to
program planning and budgeting.

2. The Synod in convention requests Districts to maintain
District budgets at current levels and to increase where
possible the amounts submitted for the Synod’s national and
international ministries.

3. The Synod in convention embarks upon a study of the

feasibility of a planning council consisting of national and
District leaders with authority to plan programs and agree on

_budgets for the national and District offices of the Synod.

As The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod meets in con-
vention, we become more convinced than ever before that we
are one church, helping one another achieve the mission to
which God has called us. Whether we are members of a local
parish, leaders in a District, or officers and members of the
Synod's national boards, we are Christians who are bonded
together by the love of Christ tocarry out together the ministry
of His Word to the world.

The Holy Spirit at work in His means of grace will enable us
as a whole group working in unity confidently to confront the
challenges we face, ask what the role of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod is in the mission of Christ, set
priorities for our ministries, and then agree on the most
effective plans and strategies to reach the goals God sets before
us in His Word.

Richard L. Schlecht, Chairman
Victor A. Constien, Secretary

4-11

To Transfer Membership
of St. Peter’s, Oyen, Alta.,
to the Alberta-British Columbia District

WHEREAS, This congregation is no longer being served by
pastors from Saskatchewan; and

WureEREAS, This congregation is presently working jointly
with the congregation at Empress, Alberta, of the Alberta-
British Columbia District of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That we recommend to the Synod that the
membership of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, at their request, be
transferred to the Alberta-British Columbia District.

Manitoba-Saskatchewan District
Paul J. Borchardt, Secretary

(This overture is supported by the convention of the Alberta-
British Columbia District.)

4-15
To Consider Name Change for Synod

WHEREAS, There has been much publicity already and more
will be coming as a result of the proposed Lutheran merger: and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has much to offer as a viable alterna-
tive to those who may not like the directions the new Lutheran
body may choose to pursue; and

WHEREAS, Some congregations are hampered in their out-
reach programs by a false, but common, image of our Synod as
being narrow-minded and legalistic; and

WHEREAS, Even our name is confusing, the term “Missouri”
suggesting to some a regional body, and the term “Synod” not
in common usage; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations of our Synod be encour-
aged to witness to our communities that we are a church body
which is—

1. conservative in theology,

2. evangelical in practice,

3. progressive in missions, and

4. international in scope; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism Services of the

Synod provide materials to our congregations that will help
not only in presenting this image to the world, but also to live
up to it; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism Services solicit
from our members suggestions for a new name for our church
body that would better identify our theology, practice, mission-
mindedness, and international scope: and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism Services analyze
the response and bring an appropriate overture to the next
convention of the Synod.

Zion Lutheran Church
Albert Lea, Minn.

Arnold W. Mulso, Chairman
James W. Heining, Pastor

4-16A

To Hold Convention Every Four Years

WHEREAS, The synodical conventions are held at a great
expense to the Synod in terms of time, talents, and treasure;
and

WHEREAS, Planning for the next convention must begin
almost as soon as one is ended; and

WHEREAS, There is hardly time enough to implement the
decisions of a convention before the next one begins; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the Synod is authorized
to act on emergency concerns requiring attention between
conventions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod adopt the policy of meeting in
synodical convention every four years; and be it further

Resolved, That the Districts of the Synod meet in convention
every four years in the second year previous to the synodical
convention and that the Circuit Convocations be held in the
intervening years.

Board of Directors
Ohio District
Douglas E. Riley, Secretary

Identical or similar:

4-16B

Ohio Dist. Past. Conf., South. Sec. D. Albers

4-17A

To Combine Small Synodical Districts

WHEREAS, The Synod has a number of small synodical
Districts, both in membership and geographic area; and

WHEREAS, The relative cost of operating these Districts is
high in relationship to their size and strength; and

WHEREAS, Combining these Districts and/or realigning
them with other existing Districts would enhance the Lord’s
workin terms of membership strength, geographic area served,
finances, and programmatic activities; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention instruct the Board
of Directors of the Synod to draw such a plan for combining
and/or realigning of such Districts, said plan to be presented to
the next convention of the Synod for consideration and
adoption.

Lutheran Church of the Messiah
Grand Junction, Colo.
John W. Meyer, Pastor
Tom Moore, President

Identical or similar:

4-17B and 4-17C

Beautiful Savior, Broomfield, Colo.
Redeemer, Delta, Colo.

Harlan Harnapp
Alvin Hahn