# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1967_S23
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 23

Oswald C. J. Hoffmann, who gave the first part of his
convention essay.

The reading of the minutes of Session 4 was post-
poned to the afternoon session.

Committee 10 -— Retirement and Benefit Programs

The convention received with gratitude the reports
of the Board of Support and Pensions (TB 130, 10-01)
and of the Board of Managers for the Concordia Re-
tirement Plan and the Concordia Welfare Plan (TB
130, 10-02).

It resolved to substitute a new Handbook chapter on
pension and welfare (TB 131, 10-03). It ratified the ac-
tion of the Board of Support and Pensions in the mat-
ter of annuity payments at age 72 (TB 131, 10-04). It
revised the pension fund provision to allow the eligi-
bility of the recipients of such funds even if under cir-
cumstances they are no longer members of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod (TB 132, 10-05).

It resolved to adjust pension plan provisions for
pastors on leave after 25 years of service in the church.
An amendment to cross out the words “after 25 years
of service in the church” was lost (TB 133, 10-06).

It declined the overture to make pension fund money
available to pastors and called teachers to enable them
to make down payments on their own residences (TB
133—134, 10-07; see TB 136). Later on in the session
the chairman stated that, since this overture had been
received too late for inclusion in the Workbook and
Supplement, he would give this overture to the spe-
cial committee of three for screening. There were no
objections to this procedure.

Committee 2— Theological Matters

The convention authorized the creation of District
committees on Worship (TB 76—77, 2-10). It changed
the name of the Commission on Worship, Liturgics, and
Hymnology to Commission on Worship (TB 76, 2-09).

It instructed the Commission on Worship to prepare
a supplement to The Lutheran Hymnal (TB 75, 2-08)
and approved the proposed rules for the Inter-Lutheran
Commission on Worship (TB 74, 2-07).

It adopted the “Declaration on the Status and Use
of Synodically Adopted Doctrinal Statements” (TB 70—
71, 2-04).

The resolution to receive the document on “The Wit-
ness of Jesus and Old Testament Authorship” was dis-
cussed but not acted on for lack of time (see TB 69,
2-03 a).

Committee 1—- Missions

Missionary Eugene Bunkowske of Nigeria was intro-
duced by Rev. William Reinking. Pastor Bunkowske
said that the present time of upheaval is a time to re-
evaluate mission work and to work more earnestly for
the establishment of independent Christian communities.

The convention declined Overture 1-04 since it is

covered by a proposed change in the Handbook (TB
149150, 1-16). —

It resolved to give serious study and attention to the
possibility of identifying and developing a lay apostolate
(TB 147, 1-13).

It voted to provide synodical support for inner-city
schools (TB 148, 1-14).

It authorized the study on how congregations can be
helped to exercise their healing mission (TB 150, 1-17)
and requested the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. to
initiate a study on the church’s concern for the sick and
suffering (TB 151, 1-18).

It encouraged the Board for Missions to intensify
work among Spanish-Americans (TB 145, 1-10).

It instructed the Board for Missions and the Com-
mission on Mission and Ministry in the Church to make
materials available to congregations for study and for
sharpening of congregational concerns for missions (TB
146, 1-11).

With penitent hearts it implored God for greater zeal
in evangelism and requested every congregation of the
Synod to observe the annual evangelism festival (TB
148—149, 1-15). In the same spirit it prayed God that
the Ebenezer effort might succeed and asked His help
for providing funds beyond 1969 (TB 146—147, 1-12).

It declined the overture to censure a Lutheran cam-
pus pastor, because the Handbook provides for the pro-
cedures to be followed (TB 145, 1-09).

Committee 3— Church Relations

The convention went on record by an amended reso-
lution to favor a fixed Sunday for Easter (TB 47, 3-05).

It discussed the resolution on the campus ministry
together with an amendment and deferred action until
the amendment could be had in mimeographed form
(see TB 48—49, 3-06).

It changed a Whereas to read: “We recognize that
many public functions involving Lutherans of other
synods can be carried out in accordance with our doc-
trinal position on fellowship.” Then it considered the
observance of the 450th anniversary of the Reforma-
tion by joint witness with other Lutherans in accord
with the doctrinal position and principles of the Synod
(TB 53, 3-12). Time ran out. Vice-President Wie-
deraenders was in the chair for a short time.

Induction of Staff Members of Lutheran Council
in the United States of America

Members of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
appointed to the staff of the Lutheran Council in the
United States of America were inducted by President
Oliver Harms in a specially prepared order. They were
C. Thomas Spitz, Jr., Walter J. Baepler, Theodore W.
Barry, Jr., Lambert F. Brose, Herbert W. David, Ralph
E. Dinger, Virgil L. Fuchs, Raymond C. Hohenstein,
Ronald L. Johnstone, Donald H. Larson, Dorothy E.
Mundt, William J. Reiss, Victor B. Streufert, John H.
Tietjen.

Address by C. Thomas Spitz, Jr.

The general secretary of the Lutheran Council in
the United States of America made the “first formal