# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S22
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

22 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

mittee 10. The Synod received the report of the Com-
mission on Church Literature with gratitude (TB 52,
10-01). It accepted the report of Concordia Publishing
House with thanks and expressed gratitude to God
for the 100 years of service of the publishing house
(TB 52, 10-02). Likewise it received the report of the
Editorial Commission for Official Periodicals with
thanks and encouraged its members to subscribe to the
periodicals (TB 53, 10-03). Dr. Bernthal presented Dr.
Martin Neeb Jr., executive secretary of the Lutheran
Television Productions Board. Dr. Neeb stressed the
unparalleled opportunities for presenting the Gospel
to an electronic society which stresses the primacy
of the visual.

The convention expressed its appreciation to the
Lutheran Laymen’s League for its support of the tele-
vision program and resolved by amendment to send
a copy of the resolution to the headquarters of the
Lutheran Laymen’s League (TB 53—54, 10-04). It
changed the name of the Lutheran Television Produc-
tions Board to Board for Lutheran Television (TB 54,
10-05).

It expressed its thanks to more than 400 TV sta-
tions for carrying Lutheran television programs (TB
54—55, 10-06) and allowed the presentation of awards
of appreciation and recognition (TB 55, 10-07).

The joint sponsorship of television programs by
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and the Lu-
theran Laymen’s League will be continued by formal
resolution (TB 56, 10-08). Dr. Eugene Bertermann,
executive secretary of the Lutheran Laymen’s League,
addressed the convention and thanked the Synod for
cosponsoring the television programs.

The resolution to amend Handbook Section 12.27 as
submitted was amended to read “four additional mem-
bers shall be appointed” instead of “four members ap-
pointed.” Likewise the provision that the board shall
be responsible for making a detailed report to the
Synod was amended by the addition of the words “and
to the Lutheran Laymen’s League.” The resolution as
amended was adopted (TB 56—58, 10-09).

Elections

The Committee on Elections announced that the
four names on the third ballot for President of the
Synod are: Victor Behnken, Oliver R. Harms, Theo-
dore F. Nickel, J. A. O. Preus. The convention balloted
on these nominees.

Communications

The Synod received the report of the Board for
Public Relations with thanks (TB 58, 10-10). It also
received the report regarding Advance magazine and
expressed its appreciation for the services rendered to
the church by this medium (TB 59, 10-11).

Lutheran Council in the United States of America

Dr. C. Thomas Spitz, executive secretary of the
Lutheran Council in the United States of America,
addressed the convention. He told of the services of
the various divisions of the Lutheran Council.

Closing

After various announcements Dr. Walter K. Koch
gave the closing prayer of this session.

Session 3

Opening July 12, Evening

The opening prayer was spoken by Dr. W. Harry
Krieger.

The minutes of the first session were approved.

The question was raised whether anyone not hav-
ing an opportunity to vote on the last ballot of the.
presidential election might contest the ballot. The
chair replied that voting on the last ballot was con-
cluded and there was no recourse after the election
was closed.

Elections

The chairman of the Committee on Elections re-
ported that 939 votes were cast on the third ballot for
President. The Reverend Dr. J. A. O. Preus received
the majority. Several questions: were raised immedi-
ately, but the chair ruled them out of order. He invited
the President-elect to’ come forward, who received a
standing ovation. He said that he was overwhelmed
by the election, but the election is not tantamount to
acceptance. He wanted time to think it over and to
confer with individuals and boards. He lauded Dr.
Harms.

Dr. Harms made a statement ‘expressing his gratitude
for having the opportunity to serve the Synod since
1962. Many serious matters have come up during that
time, he stated, but he had no regrets for the important
actions he took. He stands by the recommendation on
fellowship. He has no fear but that the Synod will
move forward and not divide into partisan factions.
The Synod should close its ranlxs after the convention
and bring the strong witness of the church. “The Lord
bless you all and our new Pre:sident,” he concluded.
The Synod accepted his churchomanship by a standing
ovation.

A motion to suspend Rober‘t’s Rules of Order in
this instance in order to make ‘the election unanimous
was lost.

The nominating ballots for thie First Vice-President
were distributed.

Theological Matters

Dr. Victor L. Behnken reported for Committee 2.
The Synod received various deoocuments of the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations: “Answers
to Questions Raised Regarding the Document’ A Lu-
theran Stance Toward Contemp orary Biblical Studies”
(TB 68, 2-04), “A Response to 'Questions on The Wit-
ness of Jesus and Old Testamen:t Authorship” (TB 69,
2-05), and “Guidelines for Cructial Issues in Christian
Citizenship” (TB 72, 2-10). It resolved to accept the
“Revised Rules of Inter-Luthera n Commission on Wor-
ship” (TB 72, 2-09).

It commended the Exchange Study Committee and

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