# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S31
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 31

Those present included President Ralph Bohlmann and his
wife Pat; First Vice-President August Mennicke and his
wife Joyce; Second Vice-President George Wollenburg and
his wife Martha; Third Vice-President Robert King; Fourth
Vice-President Walter A. Maier and his wife Leah; and
Fifth Vice-President Guido Merkens and his wife Barbara.
First Vice-President Mennicke addressed the convention,
indicating what a privilege it is to serve God in The Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod.

Theology and Church Relations

Committee 3 referred to Res. 3-05 (TB 65-66), which
had been read in its entirety on Sunday. President Leo-
poldo Gros brought greetings from the brothers and sisters
in Argentina. He said Christ lives in us and we are “Alive
in Christ.” The convention adopted Res. 3-05 and recog-
nized the Argentine District as a partner church, with a
rising vote of thanks and applause. The convention sang
the doxology and Presidents Bohlmann and Gros signed
the protocol documents making the Argentine District a
partner church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Recognition

The chairman introduced Dr. Edwin Weber, former
First Vice-President of the Synod, who addressed the con-
vention briefly. His wife Vera was also introduced.

The chairman introduced Dr. Milton Carpenter, former
treasurer of the Synod. Dr. Carpenter wished the conven-
tion well, stating that the Synod will be bigger and greater
than ever before.

The chairman introduced Dr. Wilhelm Petersen, who
represented the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Dr. Petersen
brought greetings and spoke of the close relationships be-
tween our two churches in the past, and expressed the
desire that in the future we again walk together. The chair-
man also introduced two representatives of the Wisconsin
Evangelical Lutheran Synod who are observers at this con-
vention: Professor Wilbert Gawrisch and Rev. Paul Wilde.

Higher Education

Vice-President Maier assumed the chair. The conven-
tion considered Res. 6-07 (TB 167) to ratify actions re-
garding closure of St. John’s and St. Paul’s Colleges. The
convention decided to refer the resolution back to Com-
mittee 6, after a substitute motion had been introduced.
Res. 6-02 (TB 165), to restore the name of the Board for
Professional Education Services to the Board for Higher
Education Services, was approved. This was done after an
amendment was approved to add the word “Services” in
line 167 following the word “Education.”

The committee presented Res. 6-03A (TB 272), to adopt
the recommendations of the President’s Commission on
Synodical Higher Education, also referring to the Conven-
tion Workbook, pages 336 and 440. Time expired before
convention action could be taken.

Leadership and Organization

Committee 5 presented Res. 5-02A (TB 244 ff.), to
amend the Bylaws of the Synod. A motion to dispense with
the reading of the resolution and a motion to refer the
resolution back to Committee 5 were declined. Time ex-

pired for Committee 5 after a motion had been made and
seconded to refer Res. 5-02A to the Board of Directors of
the Synod for further study. During the discussion of Res.
5-02A the convention decided that when the previous ques-
tion is called during this convention, it can be called only
for the immediately pending motion.

Human Care

President Ralph Bohlmann resumed the chair.

Res. 7-02A (TB 282), calling for the strengthening of
social ministry activity at all levels of the Synod, was
adopted. During the discussion of Res. 7-10A (TB 285), the
first whereas was amended to read, “WHEREAS, Our Lord
said that the worship He chooses is for us to share our food
with the hungry (Is. 58:7).” After declining an amendment
to delete the last resolve, amended Res. 7-10A, supporting
synodical efforts to alleviate world hunger, was adopted.
Committee chairman Fink introduced Dr. Norman Barth,
executive director of Lutheran World Relief, who ad-
dressed the convention and presented an LWK hat to Dr.
Bohlmann.

In considering Res. 7-03A (TB 283), the following
changes were made by common consent: (1) In line 10 the
words “of our nation” were changed to “in North America”;
(2) At the end of line 35 the words “encouraged to be” were
added; (3) In line 41 after the word “Synod” the words “be
encouraged to” were added; and (4) In line 29 the words
“be the leader in providing” were changed to “provide.”
After declining an amendment to delete lines 29 and 30,
Res. 7-03A was approved as amended, urging that ministry
be provided during the agri-community crisis.

Recognition

Chairman Bohlmann asked the convention to recognize
Dr. Martin Mueller, who was present in the audience, re-
calling his 20 years of service as editor of The Lutheran
Witness.

Closing

Chaplain Herbert Mueller led the convention in a clos-
ing devotion, using the Worship Guide, pages 25-27, and
including a number of prayer concerns.