# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S300 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 300 Henry Bergman The Missouri Synod should remain alert so that it will always remain doctrinally pure. It should continue its forward progress ina fuller use of stewardship so that it will not need to suffer the challenge and the funding of its seminaries and colleges. Therefore, the Synod should place more effort in the training of its future workers so that they will be more skilled in evangelism outreach and in training which would encourage its members to share their money and time so that growth may be abundant. John F. Walther The future challenges to our Synod are great. God has opened and continues to open doors here at home and in foreign mission fields. The love of God constrains us to respond. We need to continue our commitment to sound theological training for both pastors and teachers for our congregations. We pray for increased faith and commitment to His mission as He places before us opportunities to be His witnesses to the ends of the world. Herbert H. Freise Religious practice in our times tends to be most noticeable in its extreme manifestations. On the one hand, we see churches which rigidly espouse a Biblical literalism that mocks the intellect and would label the mind a tool of Satan. And on the other hand, wecan likewise observe confessing movements which lift up the power and potential of human intelligence to the point where the Creator is overshadowed by the created, and intellectual acumen becomes idolatrous. It is my hope that in the midst of these polarities Missouri Synod Lutheranism, through its Concordia Semi- nary, will promote intellectual honesty and integrity in the religious community as it boldly lifts up the centrality of Christ and His atoning work in worship and faith and life. Arno A, Lehenbauer BOARD OF REGENTS ST. PAUL 1 teacher, 2 laypersons to be elected. TEACHERS Terry Hubbard, 32. Boone, JA: Trinity (IW); DCE principal. D. Salary Guidelines Com. 3; Chm. Prin. Conf. 2:Chm.Teach. Conf. 1. O. Led various workshops on Family Evang. via ed. agencies. Arnold W. Lohse, 68, St. Paul, MN: Eastern Heights (MNS): retired teacher. S. BOR‘St. Paul 8. D. BOD 8; Bad. of Par. Ed. 6: Student Aid & Recruit. 10. C. Chm. 4: Sec. 5: Bible class & SS teacher 25. O. LLL Dist. Bd. 3 Youth Bd. 5: LLL Pres. Sec. 8. LAYPERSONS Harold Bartz, 66, Alexandria, MN: Zion (MNN),; retired. S. Bd. of Cont. 2. D. BOD 10. C. Bld. Treas. Fund 1: Stewp. Chm. 1: New Mission Chm. 1. O. LLL Dist. Pres. 4: LLL TV Chm. 4; Bethany Home Bd. 10: Kinkead Cem. Bd. 12. Ed Gensmer, 64, Hutchinson, MN: Our Savior (MNS); retired farmer. C. Bd. of Trust. 5. Kerry Koestler, 44, Dodge Center, MN: Grace (MNS): District Representative. D. LCMS Found. Com. 3. C. Trustee 1; FIR. Gary Specketer, 36, Blaine, MN: King of Glory (MNS); company president. C, Ex. Dir. 1, Dir. of Lay Ministry 2: Bd. of Evang. 2: Bd. of Elders 2; Youth Cslr. 3. Terry Hubbard I feel that the Synod is now traveling ina very positive direction. Via tools such as NOMINATIONS Forward in Remembrance we can now con- tinue in “The Great Commission” with Penew- ed zeal. I would like to see this renewed zeal as a beginning and continue to grow in resources available to our personnel to proclaim the Gospel to both adults and children. I also am happy to see that the Synod is utilizing one of God's gifts, that of assessing needs and work- ing out viable solutions to them. Many parish tools are now available and this is in part due to the Synod’s desire to continue in the better- ment of our ministries. Arnold W. Lohse Harold Bartz Our Synod has made great strides over the years, but the areas that need special attention are the Districts of Synod. The convention should review the str -cture and management of its Districts, also the work they are to accomplish in conjunction with the Synod. If our Synod is to move forward, this area can not be overlooked; the fact finding committee did not reveiw eny areas in regard to District structure at t,1e last convention. This is urgent, as Synod cannot carry out its programs witha 1965 budget. Ed Gensmer Goals for the Synod: Emphasize similari- ties of doctrine with other denominations for eventual unity of Christendom. Kerry Koestler Economically depressed times bring out the good talents which God has placed in us. He brings us closer to Himself through our need and helps us spread His Word through our actions and our words. This everyday contact has been the most effective way of spreading God's Word and should be empha- sized and taught to everyone. We should be speaking out and acting as a church against abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia, which are against those doctrines expressed in the Bible, but which have been upheld by the courts of our land. We should be actively supporting our Christian doctrines and those who share our beliefs. We must keep our youth in the mainstream of our planning for the future because they are the future. Gary Specketer BOARD OF REGENTS SELMA 1 pastor, 1 teacher, 1 layperson to be elected. PASTORS Carlton Reimer, 41, Ruston, LA: St. Paul (SO): pastor. S. Missionary 17; Miss. Counc. 3. D. Campus Ministry Co-or. 3; PR Com. 2: Nom. Com. 2. C. LA Tech. Ministers Pres. 3: Minis- terial Alliance Sec. 1. O. Zone LWML Past. Adv. 2; Pres. Ruston Bread for the World 3: Cir. Pastors Conf. Chm. 1. James R. Taglauer, 48, New Orleans. LA: First English (SO): pastor. S. Cons. & Rep. of Luth. Dom. Disaster Response Bd. 17: Prof. & Chm. Social Studies Dept. Conc. Bronx. 4. D. Chm. Past. Conf. 2; Cir. Cslr. 1: Youth Bd. Chm. 3; Chm. Teachers Conf. 2. O. Chm. Police-Clergy Assn. 2; Past. Adv. Baltimore L.H. Bd. of Control 1; Past. Mem. BOD L.H.S. Assn. 1. TEACHERS Ralph Bleeke, 51, Metairie, LA: Atone- ment (SO): principal. S. Bd. of Miss. New Guinea 14. D. Dist. Personnel Com. 1; Bd. of Adj. 6. C. Ed. Com. 2: Bd. of Elders 3: Chm. Stewp. Com. 1. O. Principal 9: Martin Luther Sem, Lae, N.G. 2; Ex. Com. N.G.L.M. 6: Chr. Ed. Com. N.G.L.M. 6. John Brazeal, 34, Maywood, IL: Luther- an Church of Christ the King, Chicago (NI): principal teacher. D. Com. on Nom. 1: Supt. Adv. Cab. 6: Urban Affairs Com. III 6. C. Youth Leader & Conf. 10: Church Growth Evang. Com. 6; Budget Com. 10. O. Visiting prof. (theo.) Conc. R.F. 1: Speaker Black Conv. & workshop leader 1. LAYPERSONS Walter Linde, 65, Huntsville, AL: Grace (SO): V.P. & Manag. Armstrong Oil. C. Pres. 1: and all other positions. John Willhardt, 52. Montgomery, AL: Lutheran Church of the Epiphany (SO): Assoc. Prof. & Chair. Dept. of Computer Infor. Systems. C.Chm. Worship Com. 2: Treas. 1.0. Organist and choir director. Carlton Reimer I want the Synod to grow, fulfill its mission, and reach its objectives (Article III) by listening sensitively to people and then effectively communicating the Gospel to them. Having been educated in a Lutheran day school and synodical schools, I value the Synod's education system even more since I've attended other schools (for missionary training in Islamics and anthropology) and now serve as contact pastor for Louisiana Tech Uni- versity and Grambling State University. From cross-cultural living in India and the Philip- pines, I am aware of the dynamics involved in racial cultural differences, but more impor- tantly our convergences as human beings in the church responding to the Gospel. James R. Taglauer I can best express my answer to the above questions by offering some service to a college within our own District, namely Concordia, Selma. It is important to me because it isa school of our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Secondly. because it is a special school dealing with the training of Black students. primarily for the work of full-time profes- sionals within our church. Having had experi- ence in education from kindergarten to college, as well as being pastor in a multi-cultural situation, I feel that this is an opportunity for me to share my experiences in the education and pastoral ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ralph Bleeke Having had the opportunity to work in a foreign mission field (New Guinea) and also in the Southern District has been both a blessing and a rewarding experience. This experience has pointed out to me the importance of finding and training dedicated and committed workers from within the geographical cultural areas being ministered to. It is my prayer that the Synod will con- tinue to give more and more attention and support in ministering to the low income and minority population, specifically in the recruit- ment and training of church workers for these areas. John Brazeal Walter Linde John Willhardt Christ’s words in Matthew 28. ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... .” should continue to be the main goal of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. A major part of this goal is training church workers. This training should be rigorous and should have a high priority in the church’s business affairs. An efficient business management of the church’s affairs is also important. The Lord has given us many gifts, opportunities, and resources. We should use these in the best manner possible.