# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1967_S29 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) fa Spe ts oar : MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 29 presented Dr. Harms with commemorative coins and brought the greetings of the commissioner general of Expo ’67, Since the session adjourned at 12:00 noon, Dr. Harms announced that the afternoon session would convene at 1:45 p.m. The session closed with prayer offered by Dr. John H. Tietjen. Session 11 Opening July 12, Afternoon Mr. Walter F. Steinberg offered the opening prayer. The minutes of the tenth session were adopted as read. Committee of Three Dr. Gergely announced that there was a communi- cation from the Lutheran Church of Australia and rec- ommended that it be referred to the appropriate com- mittee. The recommendation was adopted. Award to Rev. Waldemar O. Ferber Rev. Herbert W. Rohe presented the award, and Rev. Howard J. Schoenfeldt read the citation in award- ing the John of Beverley Medal to Rev. Waldemar O. Ferber for his 44 years of service to the deaf. Revised Agenda Dr. Harms announced a revision in the agenda. Com- mittees this afternoon will report in this order: 1, 2, 3, 14, 6, 16; this evening: 2, 3, 6. There were no objections. Committee 1— Missions The convention endorsed the selection of several larger “community” areas as pilot projects for struc- turing congregations for missions in such areas (TB 284, 1-27). It reaffirmed the inclusion of funds for a series of Japanese telecasts (TB 285, 1-28). Committee 2— Theological Matters The discussion on the report of the Study Committee on Censorship was resumed (see Session 8). After some discussion the previous question was moved and carried. The convention resolved to accept the report of the study committee and thanked the Concordia Seminary faculty for its years of service as the official censor (TB 142, 2-24). It recommitted the resolution regarding accusations about false teaching (TB 143, 2-25). It requested the President of the Synod to remind its members of the proper procedure in matters of doctrinal discipline and exhorted all of them to follow these procedures (TB 143—144, 2-26). It referred the matters regarding the “Proposed Rite for Holy Baptism” to the Commission on Worship (TB 137, 2-17). It declined Overtures 2-66, 2-67, and 2-68 because many of the concerns expressed there are being dealt with (TB 208, 2-27). ; Committee 16 — Elections Dr. Waldschmidt reported that no candidate for the Board of Directors of the Synod had received a majority of the 728 votes cast on the second runoff election. Four candidates were presented for the third runoff election. The election was conducted between 3:05 and 3:11 p.m. Introductions Dr. Harms recognized Drs. John W. Boehne, Herman Harms, E. J. Friedrich, and Walter Birkner. Committee 3— Church Relations The resolution to authorize the declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran Church was recommitted to Committee 3 (TB 281—282, 3-22; TB 313b to 313c, 3-22). The convention adopted an addition to Chapter XVI of the Handbook, “B. Sister Church Fellowship,” para- graph 16.03 (TB 279-280, 3-21; recommitted TB 50, 3-08). It voted that the campus ministry is the direct re- sponsibility of the District. It adopted the “Policy Statement on Campus Ministry.” The Synod is to continue in an advisory capacity for campus ministries, and the convention asked that the Lutheran Council in the U.S. A. be drawn in in a coordinative consultative function (TB 278—279, 3-20; recommitted TB 48—49, 3-06. Note that TB 49, lines 3 to 6, are part of Reso- lution 3-20). The convention voted to postpone action on affiliation with the Lutheran World Federation until 1969. It asked that adequate consultations be arranged with the Lu- theran World Federation, that information be supplied to the Synod “and all her sister churches” (added by amendment) on the consultations, and that the Com- mission on Theology and Church Relations provide guidelines “in preparation for the 1969 convention of the Synod” (by amendment) (TB 277, 3-18). The gathering sang the Common Doxology. Vice- President Streufert took the chair. Committee 14— Stewardship and Finance The convention voted that additional opportunities for bringing Ebenezer thankofferings be provided through the congregations (TB 304, 14-14). It urged every member of every congregation to become in- volved in the Ebenezer thankoffering and exhorted the pastors to spearhead the efforts for the offerings (TB 302—303, 14-13; recommitted TB 109, 14-11). It resolved that the members of the Synod join to- gether in repentance for parochialism and faithlessness, asking God for more dedicated discipleship (TB 106 to 106a, 14-07). It warned congregations against overextending themselves in local welfare plans, asking them to seek the advice of the District welfare committee, the Dis- trict president (substituted by amendment for “its Dis- trict in convention”), and the Synod’s Board of Social Welfare (TB 104, 14-03).