# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1959_S77
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONVENTION MINUTES 77

Biennial Conventions?

The convention now took up again the resolution (TB 193, 22)
proposing biennial conventions. A motion to reconsider was
adopted. The Chair then called for a rising vote, which showed
350 for and 171 against. Needed: 348. The Chair ruled that the
resolution had been adopted by the required two-thirds majority
and would now be presented to the congregations. A point of order
was raised whether it would not be proper to give those delegates
sitting in committee the right to vote on constitutional changes.
The Chair stated that this had not been done in the past but that
it would abide by the wishes of the convention. No motion was
forthcoming. It was moved, however, and seconded that a recount
of votes be conducted. Discussion was broken off for the noon
recess.

Dr. Behnken closed with a prayer.

Session 8
June 20, Afternoon

Pastor E. George Pearce, Chairman of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of England, conducted the opening devotion.
The minutes of the morning session were adopted as read.

Biennial?

The Chair ruled that if there were no objection, a definite time
would be set aside and announced in advance for a vote by ballot
on the resolution proposing biennial conventions. Since no objec-
tion was offered, it was so ordered.

Committee 6 — Constitutional Matters

After the committee had inserted in line 18 the words “for the
sake of good order in the church,” the convention adopted the
resolution regulating ordination of ministerial candidates (TB
242a, 25). The per-communicant assessment to defray the triennial
convention expenses was increased (TB 131, 13). A resolution
proposing a new procedure in filling vacancies in the Synod’s
Praesidium was defeated (TB 132, 14). Provision was made to
include the Concordia Historical Institute in the Handbook (TB
149, 17). After Dr. Behnken had announced that the balloting on
the biennial convention question would be held at 2:45, permitting
persons in committees to come to the convention hall, the proposed
resolution (TB 149, 18) declining the request for the formation
of a new District in Synod was debated. The closeness of the
voice vote necessitated a standing vote. For the resolution: 221;
opposed: 308. The committee was instructed by the Chair to sub-
mit another resolution concerning this matter.