# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S105
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

A ah Ear pdt ata ea

DN  _—_—

RESOLUTIONS 105

agenda for the meeting of the commission (Handbook
9.11c); therefore be it

Resolved, That the officers of the Fiscal Review Com-
mission be instructed to give serious study in their plan-
ning of the agenda for the meetings of this commission
in accordance with the suggestions made in Overture
4-23.

Action: Referred to Board of Directors for action

(16).

To Give Representation to Minorities
on Synodical and District Boards
and Commissions
RESOLUTION 4-17
Overture 4-32 (CW, p. 221)

Wuereas, The concept of the communion of saints
implies the participation of all of the church’s member-
ship in its life and work; and

Wuereas, Christian stewardship, integrity and broth-
erly love require that all talents within the church’s
membership be used; and

Wuereas, The witness of the church in society is
strengthened by representative involvement at respon-
sible levels of all of its members; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod instruct its officials to give
Special attention to representation of minority groups
within its membership at policy-making and adminis-
trative levels of the Synod, its Districts, and congrega-
tions.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Follow Established Procedure
in Investigating Several Complaints
RESOLUTION 4-18
Overture 4-39U (URO, p. 53)

Wuereas, “Taking part in the services and sacra-
mental rites of heterodox congregations or of congre-
gations of mixed confession,” and other forms of un-
ionism (Constitution, Art. VI), as well as deviations in
practice from the Synod’s position on the lodge (Hand-
book 14.07, pp. 213—214), are matters of serious con-
cern; and ,

Wuereas, Allegations concerning the violation of
these requirements and negligence in their enforce-
ment have been made; therefore be it

Resolved, That the individual proposing the inves-
tigation of these complaints be advised to follow estab-
lished procedure as set forth in the synodical Hand-
book (Art. XIII, p.24, and 5.31, p. 113).

Action: Adopted (13).

To Retain Pattern of Biennial Conventions
RESOLUTION 4-19
Overture 4-07 (CW, p. 212)

Wuereas, The present convention is only the second
convened biennially; and

Wuereas, There has been insufficient time and op-
portunity to test adequately the effectiveness of bien-
nial conventions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod decline to return to the
triennial convention pattern at this time; and be it also

Resolved, That the Council of Administrators, under
the direction of the President of the Synod, be re-
quested —

a) to evaluate the experience of the two biennial
conventions already convened; and

b) to explore the possibility of programing the
Presentation of the various aspects of the work of the
Synod on a staggered basis in successive conventions;

c) to explore ways of streamlining convention pro-
cedures or of finding a substitute method for conduct-
ing the Synod’s business because of the great and in-
creasing cost of the conventions and in the interest of
good stewardship.

Action: Adopted as amended (13).

(Amendment: Paragraph c of the second resolved was
added.)

To Retain Identity of Commission for Services
to the Mentally Retarded
RESOLUTION 4-20

Overtures 4-16 to 4-19 (CW, pp. 216—217); 4-34U, 4-35U,
4-37U (URO, pp. 48—49)

Wuereas, The incidence of mental retardation pre-
sents the church with an opportunity for ministry of
considerable dimensions; and

Wuereas, Problems associated with mental retarda-
tion demand the kind of specialized attention on the
part of the Synod that can be given only through a re-
sponsible board or commission; and

Wuereas, The Synod’s Commission for Services to
the Mentally Retarded is a comparatively young com-
mission, having been in existence only since 1962 and
with a full-time executive only since 1967; and

Wuereas, The commission in this short time has
established a respectable record of ministry by alerting
the Synod to possibilities of mission to the mentally
retarded; and

Wuereas, The major thrust of the commission’s work
is in the area of education rather than administration
of institutional programs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission for Services to the
Mentally Retarded retain its identity as a commission;
and be it also

Resolved, That the commission be moved from the
Division of Missions and Special Ministries and be at-
tached to the Division of Parish Education and Services.

Action: Adopted (5 ).

cobra Ry ee