# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S23
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 23

the Biographical Synopsis and Statements of Nominees
publication. The convention adopted the slate of candi-
dates for president as presented by the Secretary: Ralph
A. Bohlmann, Robert D. Preus, Robert C. Sauer, Wilbert
J. Sohns, and George F. Wollenburg.

Resolution A

Secretary Rosin presented Res. A, found on pages 207—
208 in Today’s Business. Motions to delete line 38, page
208 (Overture 7-25A—C) and line 54, page 207 (Overture
3-71) were defeated.

Elections

A motion that balloting for President and Vice-Presi-
dents of the Synod be held on Tuesday was defeated. Chair-
man Al Barry of the Elections Committee gave the
delegates directions in balloting for President. He asked
that all blue-badge delegates leave the area with white
tables. This is to be done throughout the convention for all
balloting. The convention was led in prayer by Chaplain
Mueller, asking that God’s will be done in the election of
Synod’s President. Balloting then took place.

Closing Devotion

Dr. Richard W. Hillert of Concordia College, River For-
est, and Dr. Fred Precht, retired chairman of the Com-
mission on Worship, were introduced by Chaplain Mueller.
Dr. Precht led the closing devotion, using an order of wor-
ship found on page 9 of the convention Worship Guide.

Session 2
July 19, Afternoon

Opening Devotion

Rev. Paul Devantier, executive secretary for the Board
for Communication Services, was the devotion leader. He
used the Worship Guide, p. 9, and LW CC, p. 67.

Resolution A (Continued)

The convention agreed to delete line 6, page 208 (Over-
ture 5-147) from Resolution A. The convention declined to
delete line 37, page 208 (Overture 7-12), and lines 23, 24,
and 25, page 207 (Overtures 1-29, 1-30, 1-31). It was also
decided not to postpone further consideration of Resolution
A until Thursday. Following a decision to close debate on
Resolution A, the convention approved the resolution as
amended.

Resolution B

The resolution, found on pages 208-209 of Today’s Busi-
ness, was introduced by Secretary Rosin. A motion to delete
line 21, page 209 (Overture 5-122 and 123) was declined.
Following approval of a motion to close debate on Reso-
lution B, it was approved by the convention.

Introduction of Guests

President BohImann introduced three of the Presidents
of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod partner churches as
follows: President Wan Sang Ji of the partner church in
Korea; President Leopoldo Gros of the partner church in

Argentina; and President Johannes Gedrat of the partner
church in Brazil.

Theology and Church Relations

President Bohlmann referred the delegates to pages
229-232 of Today’s Business regarding table talks. Follow-
ing the convention copies of Toward 2000: Alive in Christ's
Mission will be sent to all delegates. Included therein will
be a tabulation of the results from delegate voting during
the table talk periods. Directions were given by Secretary
Rosin for table talk discussions and voting procedures us-
ing the punch cards. Dr. Eldor Meyer, chairman of Com-
mittee 3, asked the delegates to discuss two questions: (1)
What does it mean to you that we are a confessional Lu-
theran Church? and (2) Do you think there is value in
developing a statement of mission for the Synod on our
understanding of what it means to be a part of a confes-
sional church body? Following table talks, delegates were
asked to punch their cards for items 1-24.

Elections Committee

Chairman Al Barry reported on the vote for President.
There were 1,172 total possible voting delegates; 1,140 vot-
ing delegates had registered by 11:00 a.m. Saturday, and
1,131 votes were cast for President. Needed for election
was 567 votes. Results of the balloting were as follows:
Ralph A. Bohlmann, 576; Robert Preus, 20; Robert Sauer,
447; Wilbert Sohns, 25; George Wollenburg, 61; ballots
returned blank, 2. Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann was reelected
on the first ballot as President of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod. President Bohlmann shared a prayer
given him by his son.

Leadership and Organization

Dr. O. Cloeter, chairman of Committee 5, reported that
the committee was withdrawing its recommendation re-
garding a part-time First Vice-President found on pages
141-142 of Today’s Business, lines 71-74 and lines 1-16.

Introduction

Mrs. Pat Bohlmann, Paul, and Lynn were introduced
to the convention. Mr. George Mohr, a member of the Board
of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pre-
sented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Bohlmann.

Slate for First Vice-President

Secretary Rosin presented the slate for First Vice-Presi-
dent as found on page 4 of Biographical Synopsis and
Statements of Nominees: Richard T. Hinz, Walter A. Maier,
Charles S. Mueller, Wilbert J. Sohns, and George F. Wol-
lenburg. Dr. Rosin indicated that Dr. Mueller gave ap-
proval for his name to stand for the First Vice-President
provided it was a part-time position. The convention de-
cided to delete the name of Dr. Charles S. Mueller from
the slate, thereby amending the slate. This action was
taken after an attempt to postpone action for up to 24 hours
until Dr. Mueller could be contacted was declined.

To replace Dr. Mueller on the slate, it was decided after
a lengthy discussion that the Secretary of the Synod should
bring forth another name on the basis of nominations re-
ceived from congregations. Dr. Robert Preus declined to