# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S5
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

From Milwaukee

After sitting on the rostrum for six consecutive con-
ventions watching closely the flow of business and try-
ing to keep accurate minutes, I am left with one over-
arching impression whenever I read accounts of the
convention under consideration. I am more amazed
with each succeeding convention over the failure of
communicators to communicate. The usual end result
is a distortion of what really happened.

We have learned to expect this kind of thing from
the secular press, but when it becomes characteristic
even of some of the church press, it is doubly sad.

This book seeks to bring the record of what really
happened at Milwaukee. It contains the resolutions
actually adopted and the official minutes of the pro-
ceedings. x oe

We have again, for the third time, noted in small
type below the text of some resolutions additional in-
formation from the notebooks of both secretaries. These
comments give not only the full text of amendments
that were adopted but also the more substantive amend-
ments that were rejected, as well as other information
that might prove helpful in reading the mind of the
convention on a given issue.

The numbers in parentheses below each resolution
indicate the session in which action was taken. These
numbers in turn will enable the reader to consult the
minutes of that particular session for the setting, addi-
tional details, etc.

A word about abbreviations. CW is the symbol for
Convention Workbook, the 529-page book of reports and
overtures submitted to the convention. TB refers to
Today’s Business, the daily mimeographed manual
bringing the text of the proposed resolutions drafted by
the floor committees.

In addition to the many matters set forth in the
minutes, the following items should be noted for the
sake of the record:

~The opening service was held in the Milwaukee
Arena. Third Vice-President Edwin Weber, D. D.,
delivered the sermon on the basis of Rev. 7:9-17.
Rev. Karl Barth, President of the South Wisconsin
District, was the liturgist, and Rev. John Baum-
gaertner, President of the English District, who
resides in Milwaukee, the lector.

— All sessions were held in the Arena in down-
town Milwaukee, and committee meetings princi-
pally at the Sheraton-Schroeder Hotel.

—Floor committees began their work as early as
July 5.

—The theme of the convention was “Sent to Rec-
oncile.”

—A sacred concert on Sunday evening was one of
the highlights of the convention.

We wish to thank many devoted servants of our
Lord who helped behind the scenes. Our thanks go
especially to Dr. Walter Rosin, who did an outstanding
piece of work in producing the minutes from session

to session. x x *

Many controversial issues came before the Milwau-
kee convention. In addition to the rather detailed index
in the back of the book, the following list is an attempt
to show what the convention did or failed to do about
some of these controversial issues:

Doctrinal Resolutions: Res. 2-21, 5-24
Confirmation and First Communion: Res. 2-47
ALC Fellowship: Res. 3-21, 5-04
Fact-Finding Committee: Res. 2-23, 2-28, 5-26
Mission: Life: Res. 7-20, 7-22

Dissenting Activities: Res. 5-13

Ethics: Res. 5-23

LCUSA: Res. 3-18

Openness and Trust: Res. 2-50

Declaration of Determination: Res. 5-32
Collegialism: Res. 5-21

Winfield: Res. 6-02

Irvine and Oakland: Res. 6-11, 6-12
Evangelism: Res. l-19

Appeals Procedures: Res. 5-14

Election of President and Vice-Presidents: Res. 5-46
Election of College Presidents: Res. 6-07
Charges Against Faculty Members: Res. 6-01
Inter-Lutheran Consultation: Res. 3-26
Campus Ministry: Res. 1-21

Armed Forces Commission: Res. 4-43
Tenure of Staff: Res. 4-29

Abortion: Res. 2-39, 2-27, 2-49

Mission Affirmations: Res. 2-33, 2-34
Executive Director Position: Res. 4-38
Walther League: Res. 7-15, 7-18

Pre-Field Training Program: Res. 1-14
Conventions: Res. 4-16, 5-09

LWF: Res. 3-06

Selective Fellowship: Res. 3-11

Teacher Franchise: Res. 5-03

Controversies Within Faculties: Res. 5-47
Atlantic District: Res. 4-57

Woman Suffrage: Res. 2-17

Ordination of Women: Res. 2-04

Youth Representation: Res. 5-37, 7-03
Privilege of Overtures: Res. 5-12

Seconding: Res. 1-09

Historical-Critical Method: Res. 2-52

* * *

Fortunately, the Synod was spared the unpleasant
incidents that had marred the Denver convention in
1969. But there was unpleasantness also at Milwaukee.
The convention proved once again how precious rec~-
onciliation is. The foreword to the Denver Proceedings
stated: “The strong God who made the hills and the
mountains demonstrates ever and again the strength
of His redeeming love also for the members of the
Missouri Synod. Let us learn to live together better
as brothers in that love!”

Our need does not seem to change.

HERBERT MUELLER, Secretary