# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1967_S32 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 32 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION President Harms resumed the chair. He announced that arrangements are being made with the telephone company for a weekly 2-minute message to the con- gregations by the President of the Synod for a trial period of 6 months. Rev. Peter R. Hunt offered the closing prayer. Session 14 July 13 Opening wy 13, Afternoon Mr. Edwin J. Werner opened the session with prayer. The minutes of Session 13 were adopted as read. Committee 9 — Social Action and Welfare The convention expressed concern for the interna- tional crises, offered guidance on the moral issues in- volved, and asked the pastors to convey the message incorporated in the resolution to their congregations. The resolution was amended in line 3, Page 332, to read: “However, we believe that in its desire for peace, justice, freedom , . .” (TB 331—332, 9-14). It encouraged fairness in business and employment and directed the Board of Social Ministry and District boards of social ministry to evaluate existing projects and. agencies and to offer specific recommendations to the Synod’s “boards, institutions, agencies” (added by amendment), congregations, and their membership (TB 295, 9-12). It commended the Prince of Peace Volunteers (TB 295—296, 9-13). It encouraged congregations to help the poor and to support such poverty programs as are consistent with our faith (TB 358, 9-15). With this Committee 9 completed its work. Committee ?— Parish Education. and Services Discussion was resumed on TB 121—123, 7-04, to authorize the use of the intersynodical translation of Luther’s Small Catechism with recommended changes. An amendment to add the word “true” in number 11 (TB 122, line 26) was defeated. With the previous question moved and passed, the resolution was adopted unanimously, The convention assigned the education research proj- ect on parish life and Parish education to the Commis- sion on Mission and Ministry in the Church (TB 297, 7-06). It gave certain duties to the Board of Parish Education, asking it to seek to establish closer coordina- tion and to render a report to the 1969 convention (TB 298, 7-07). It referred the authors of Overtures 7-03, 2-101 U, and 2-17 to a letter dated Feb. 20, 1967, to all pastors of the Synod and asked that the matters relating to A Man to Follow be closed (TB 299, 7-08). It accepted the report of the Board of Parish Edu- cation and commended the staff for its fine work (TB 299, 7-09). With this Committee 7 completed its work. Recognition Dr. Harms recognized Dr. Lawrence Meyer of St, Louis; Rev. Frederick W. Noack of Australia; Dr, E, George Pearce of England; Rev. Hans Lutz-Poetsch of Germany; Dr. Won Yong Ji of Korea. Committee 5 — Constitutional Matters The convention resolved to retain the present name of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (TB 344, 5-28). It eliminated Paragraphs 6.54 e and 6.67 from the Handbook because they are duplications of 6.127 and 6.105 respectively (TB 239, 5-13). It permitted St. Paul Lutheran Church, Columbia, Pa., to transfer from the Southeastern District to the Eastern District (TB 239, 5-14). It amended Handbook 5.01 a to provide appointments to District boards of appeal when exceptions must be made to the rule (TB 240, 5-15). It amended election procedures by changing Hand- book 2.121 and 2.138 (TB 273—274, 5-16). It changed the reading of Handbook 1.24 regarding orientation procedure (TB 274, 5-17). It revised paragraphs 1.51, 1.53, 1.55, and 1.57 of the Handbook, changing the method of electing dele- gates to synodical conventions (TB 275—276, 5-18). Twenty men spoke on the resolution. Special Committee Dr. Harms reported on the disposition of overtures received after the 10-day deadline and on the disposi- tion of one overture under the provision of Bylaw 1.27 f. Committee 4— Synodical Administration The convention Passed a resolution emphasizing the necessity of exercising economy (TB 365, 4-32). It asked for a continuation of the study of administrative procedures in the Synod and Districts in the interest of good stewardship and economy (TB 365—366, 4-33). It adopted the report of the Committee on Collo- quies for the Pastoral Office, changing paragraphs 4.51, 4.53, 4.55, 4.57, 4.59, 4.61, 4.63, 4.65, 4.67, 4.69, 4.71, and 4.73 of the Handbook (TB 366—371, 4-34). TB 371, 4-35 was withdrawn. The convention asked that synodical flags be pro- vided to the Districts as soon as feasible (TB 371 to 372, 4-36). It expressed confidence in the administration of the synodical Board of Directors and its fiscal officers (TB 372—373, 4-37). Applause greeted the announcement that the resolution was adopted. The convention amended Handbook 2.175, revising it to grant authority to alter division groupings, added 2.175 b, and renumbered the paragraph (TB 373—374, 4-38). It declined Overture 4-28 about mailing of non- synodical materials (TB 225, 4-23). It accepted the report of the First Vice-President of the Synod and thanked him for his faithful services (TB 225, 4-24).