# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S220
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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220 SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION

To Develop Funding Process for
Programs to Meet National Crisis

Wuereas, The response to the national crisis requires
funds which are not currently included within the
budget of the Board of Social Ministry: and

WuHereEAS, The need for assistance is urgent but the
WMeedure for channeling the resources has not been

eveloped: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors together with
the service boards of our church develop the process
whereby funds may be made available to the Board of
Social Ministry to respond to the approved social min-
istry and social action agencies of our church as they
develop programs to meet the national crisis.

BoarD OF SociaL MINISTRY
Les.ig F. WEBER, Executive Secretary

(4-29)

To Study Certain Questions of Organization

The following questions are addressed to The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod, in convention at Den-
ver, 1969, with the request that the Synod authorize a
study of these questions with a view of possible changes
in our synodical Constitution:

1. What is the unique situation that prevails in The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod which would re-
quire a multiplicity of synodical Vice-Presidents? We
know of no other Lutheran Synod or other major Chris-
tian body that requires more than one or two. Do we
need five Vice-Presidents? Can their functions and re-
sponsibilities not be fulfilled adequately, and perhaps
even more effectively. by the svnodical President or by
his chosen representatives? Even five Vice-Presidents
are not able to attend all District conventions (if that is
a primary objective). Lutheran history and theological
tradition would seem to call for representatives at Dis-
trict conventions selected by the President himself —
and preferably, acknowledged theologians of the church
(certainly never the President of another District).

2. Why should a synodical Vice-President be assigned
to a seminary Board of Control? Ought this not be a
concern of the President himself? For that matter, what
is the President of the respective District for?

3. Should staff officers (such as District executive
secretaries) be eligible for election or appointment to
synodical boards, commissions, etc? Isn't there some-
thing of “conflict of interest” in such an arrangement?

Rev. Lesrie F. FRERKING
Charlotte, N.C.
(4-30)
To Recess and to Reconvene
for 3-Day Session
Scripture is our only God-given source for spiritual
knowledge: and it is the only norm by which to judge
doctrine and practice.

Salvation is by the grace of God, and by His grace
alone, His grace in Christ Jesus, our one and only
Savior.

Justification is by faith in the Gospel of God’s mercy
in Jesus, true God and true man, a gift of the Holy
Spirit.

Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, and Faith Alone —
these three principles are the heritage of Christians:
and we Lutherans have received this heritage as a gift
of God through Dr. Martin Luther.

Sad to say, this gift of God has not been appreciated
as highly in our midst in recent years as it should be. On
the contrary, there has been serious deterioration in
our midst in this respect.

Any corrective action taken at this convention will
need to be followed up continuously and effectively.

For this reason the undersigned respectfully submits
the following resolution:

Wuereas, God would have us respect the principles
of Scripture Alone, Grace Alone. and Faith Alone
(2 Tim. 3:16 f.: Eph. 2:8 ff.: Rom. 3:28); and

Wuereas, There has been serious deterioration within
our Synod in regard to the aforementioned spiritual
principles revealed in Scripture for our spiritual wel-
fare; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention go on record as being
thankful to God for the progress which has thus far
been made toward restoring Scriptural doctrine and
practice in our Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That before the close of the sessions of this
convention, scheduled for July 11—19, 1969, the conven-
tion decide to go into recess and to reconvene at the
call of the Synod’s President for a 3-day session not
later than December 1970, with the provisos:

1. That an Interim Committee be elected by this
convention before the close of its sessions scheduled for
July 11—19, 1969, the following stipulations to apply:

a. that the Interim Committee consist of seven men:

b. that this committee make a study of progress made
within the Synod toward restoring Scriptural doc-
trine and practice;

c. that the committee draw up a report on its find-
ings, with recommendations for further action by
the convention;

d. that the committee's report be made available to
congregations, pastors, and called teachers of the
Synod not later than 2 months before the opening
date of the reconvened sessions:

e. that the Committee on Nominations and the Com-
mittee on Elections be instructed to take care of
nominations for and election of the Interim Com-
mittee.

2. That the President of the Synod, in consultation
with the Interim Committee, shall be authorized to draw
on synodical organization and personnel for all other
details relating to the reconvening of the convention.

Rev. ArNotp H. GEBHARDT
Council Bluffs, Iowa