# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1965_S61 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) it Ret 5S 2 Us i MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 61 the conclusion of the previous presentation and with First Vice-President R. P. Wiederaenders in the chair, the Elections Committee reported the election of Dr. Oliver Harms, who responded with a few words of thanks. After the singing of the common doxology, pallots for nominating the First Vice-President were distributed. Executive Director’s Presentation Dr. Walter Wolbrecht, Executive Director, gave an illustrated presentation on the growth patterns of the country and of the Synod and called attention to such things as the population explosion, increased disposable income, leisure time, and population movement and concentration. After announcements Missionary Paul H. Strege gave the closing prayer. The convention service with Holy Communion was held on the evening of the same day in the convention arena. Trinity Lutheran Church served as_ host. Dr. George Wittmer was the preacher. Session 3 June 17, Morning President Alfred F. Miller of the Alberta and British Columbia District served as liturgist for the opening devotion. Dr. Paul Streufert presented the first part of his devotional essay: “The Risen Lord Gave the Church a Mandate.” The minutes of the previous day’s sessions were adopted as read. Committee 17 — Elections Ballots for First Vice-President were distributed containing the following names: O. Hoffmann, W. H. Krieger, T. Nickel, R. Wiederaenders, G. Wittmer. Committee 5 — Constitutional Matters The convention received the following into mem- bership (TB 84, 5-07): Congregations — Bethany, Wel- lington, Ohio; University, Norman, Okla.; Faith, Olym- pia, Wash.; Good Shepherd, Lansing, Mich.; St. Matthew, Holt, Mich.; Divine Shepherd, Ann Arbor, Mich.; As- cension, Raytown, Mo.; Cross of Christ, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; St. Peter, Rockford, Mich.; Messiah, Sagi- naw, Mich.; Messiah, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Our Re- deemer, Lexington, Ky.; St. Philip, Houston, Tex.; Ascension, Burnsville, Minn.; Pastors— Philip Yang, Jack Allen Geistlinger, James A. Pingel, Luther Werth, David Albertin, Nicholas Ittzes, William Boys, Leander Berndt, Robert Sorensen, Donald Waldo, Norman Menke; Teachers— Kurt Gremel, Roy Kitzmann, Wil- liam Nehls, Kenneth Wollin. Committee 1— Missions The report of the committee was introduced by a film presentation and a prayer by the assembly. The convention adopted a series of resolutions affirming that the church is God’s mission (TB 108, 1-01 A), that the church is Christ’s mission to the whole world (TB 109, 1-01B), that the church is Christ’s mission to the church (TB 109, 1-01 C, with “clearly” deleted from line 16, p. 110, by amendment; another amendment to strike lines 1 and 2 on p. 110 failed), that the church is Christ’s mission to the whole society (TB 110, 1-01 D), that the church is Christ’s mission to the whole man (TB 111, 1-01 E), and that the whole church is Christ’s mission (TB 112, 1-01 F, with the parenthetic comment on line 27 deleted by the committee). The convention also resolved to effect a single Board for Missions (TB 113, 1-02, with reference to Africa in line 8 withdrawn). Committee 17 — Elections Since no majority had been achieved, another ballot was distributed for First Vice-President with the names O. Hoffmann, W. H. Krieger, T. Nickel, R. Wieder- aenders. Committee 3— Church Relations The convention adopted a resolution with reference to the Synodical Conference (TB 102, 3-01) after the committee had reworded the last “Resolved” to read: “That in view of the common faith and the harmonious relationship which has existed between the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and our Synod, we de- clare our willingness to effect a merger and invite the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to affiliate with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod through some mutually satisfactory merger arrangements at such time as they see fit.” It was also decided to commend the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (TB 102, 3-02) and to permit continuing use of certain services of the National Council of Churches (TB 103, 3-03). Time ran out during the discussion of Resolution 3-04 (TB 104, theological principles for mission churches). Committee 17 — Elections Rev. Theodore Koch and Prof. Elvin J anetzki of Australia were introduced after another ballot for First Vice-President had been distributed with the following names: W. H. Krieger, T. Nickel, R. Wiederaenders. Committee 14— Special Ministries With Vice-President T. Nickel in the chair the con- vention adopted several resolutions with reference to the Commission on Fraternal Organizations: to urge all Districts to appoint a committee (TB 71, 14-01), to thank former members of the commission (TB 71, 14- 02), to expedite publication of new materials for the commission (TB 72, 14-03), to effect Handbook changes (TB 72, 14-04; a motion to recommit proposed Hand- book paragraph 14.05 failed to carry), and to accept the commission’s report (TB 74, 14-05). The time elapsed during the discussion of a proposed resolution on The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod F ‘oundation (TB 74, 14-06). The time of the session was extended five minutes by common consent to permit various announcements. President Edgar Kroeger of the Argentine District led the convention in prayer.