# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1989_S5
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PREFACE

Tell Everyone What HE Has Done

That is the mission—a mission to which the Synod com-
mitted itself once again as delegates adopted a resolution
identifying this task as its highest priority. While the del-
egates read and heard reports of activities of the boards,
commissions, and other entities of the Synod and recog-
nized various accomplishments, the emphasis throughout
the session was not on what we have done but rather on
what HE has done for us and for the whole world. In wor-
ship, in Bible study, and in the resolutions adopted, the
convention again and again expressed its faith and its de-
termination under the blessing of the Triune God to ex-
ercise the privilege and carry out the responsibility of
witnessing to His goodness and grace.

A new feature was again added to this 57th regular
convention. While the feature of Table Talks, small group
discussion, was not used as it had been in the previous
convention, delegates did have the opportunity for such
small group Bible study as the new LifeLight Bible study
was introduced. The new feature that appeared at the 1989
convention was the use of an electronic response system
for voting during certain elections and for the voting on
many resolutions. Since the results of each such vote ap-
peared on the large screen informing the delegates of the
exact number of pro and con votes as well as the percent-
age, there was never a need to call for a division of the
house in contrast to other years when much convention
time was consumed by manual counting for that purpose.
In reality, each such vote provided for a division of the
house. As a result of the time saved, delegates were able
to respond to all the resolutions prepared by the floor com-
mittees for their deliberation.

The convention was not all work. In addition to the
opportunities for worship, delegates received greetings
from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lu-
theran Church—Canada, the International Lutheran Con-
ference, and others. They witnessed presentations and
ceremonies throughout the convention that gave special
recognition to certain groups and individuals. Featured at
one of the sessions was a worship service recognizing the
anniversary of Lutheran immigration and the 150th an-
niversary of Concordia Seminary.

Much of the work of the convention could not have been

accomplished without the dedicated assistance of many
individuals and groups. Included among them was the lo-
cal convention committee, those whose many hours of work
were responsible for the daily productions of Today’s Busi-
ness, Dr. D. Ray Halm, who served as assistant secretary,
convention manager Marvin Siebels, meeting planner
Marie Biesenthal, and many others.

xk *

In order to enable readers to make fullest use of the
Proceedings, the following explanation is offered.

Some resolutions have an A or B attached to their iden-
tifying number. This means that the resolution originally
prepared by the floor committee was later revised by the
committee, usually in answer to reactions received before
the opening of the convention.

The number in parentheses below each resolution in-
dicates the session in which final action was taken. In some
instances it might be advisable to consult the minutes of
that session for additional information. The comments in
small type within parentheses below some resolutions pro-
vide still more information from the notebooks of both sec-
retaries and from the minutes.

The abbreviation CW refers to the Convention Work-
book, the 344-page book of reports and overtures to the
convention. TB stands for Today’s Business, a publication
that contained the text of the proposed resolutions pre-
pared by the floor committees. The first issue was sent to
all congregations and delegates prior to the convention and
contained practically all resolutions. The daily issues dis-
tributed at the convention brought the revised versions to
the attention of the delegates.

* * OK

The convention is now history, His story. But that story
continues to be written as God empowers His people to
carry out the many resolutions adopted, thereby telling
what HE has done. May each member be filled with the
Spirit, to praise Him for what He has done for personal
life, salvation, and hope and for that of the world in which
every Christian is called to witness by word and action.