# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S21
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Opening Service

The opening service of the 49th Regular Convention
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod was held on
Friday, July 9, 1971, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the Mil-
waukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rev. Edwin
Weber, D.D., Third Vice-President of the Synod, de-
livered the sermon on the basis of Rev. 7:9-17. Rev.
Karl Barth served as the officiant with Rev. John Baum-
gaertner serving as lector. Mr. James Engel served as
organist with Professor Victor G. Hildner serving as
choirmaster directing the choir and orchestra. Soloist
for the choir was Mr. Kenneth L. Jorgensen.

Session 1
July 10, Morning

Opening of Convention

The convention began with an opening devotion led
by Dr. Roland Wiederaenders. Dr. J. A. O. Preus, Presi-
dent of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, deliv-
ered the presidential address based on the convention
theme, “Sent to Reconcile,” comparing the world of Saint
Paul to the world of the 1970s. The same message and
activity used by St. Paul can be used by the church to
bring about the reconciliation experienced by the Corin-
thian congregation. Through repentance and grace the
church today can also be healed. The entire address of
the President is included in the Proceepincs of this
convention.

President Paul Jacobs of the California and Nevada
District reporting for the Committee on Registration
stated that 415 voting pastoral delegates and 362 lay
voting delegates were present. This number constituted
a quorum for the convention.

Dr. August Suelflow, director of the Concordia His-
torical Institute, presented a 60-year-old gavel first used
in the convention in 1911 to President Preus for use in
this convention at its opening and closing sessions. Dr.
Preus then declared the synodical convention open in
the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Chairman Paul Jacobs of the Registration Committee
presented a resolution found as an overture in the Con-
vention Workbook, Overture 15-01, calling for the seat-
ing of delegates from the SELC District. The resolution
was approved by the convention, and the delegates were
welcomed. The convention also approved a resolution
to grant floor speaking privileges to youth representa-
tives (15-02). In a separate motion the convention also
granted the past president, Dr. Oliver Harms, permis-
sion to speak on the convention floor.

President’s Report

President Preus now issued his report to the conven-
tion following the general order of business as outlined
in the Convention Workbook. His message was based
on the theme of the convention and revolved around ten
major areas. These were:

1. The nature of the message, that of reconciliation.
2. The proclamation of the message of reconciliation.

3. The reconciling Word creates and governs fel-
lowship with other Christians.

4. The mission of reconciliation requires good order.

5. The mission requires well-educated pastors and
teachers.

6. The mission requires a well-prepared program of
Christian education in the parish.

7. The mission requires love and concern.

8. The mission requires the use of all communica-
tions media to proclaim the reconciling Word.

9. The mission requires money.

10. The mission requires leadership of qualified
people.

In connection with each of these concerns Dr. Preus
pointed to matters which will require consideration by
the convention. He expressed his thanks for the support
of the Synod during the past biennium and closed with
a prayer that God’s name be glorified, His kingdom
come, His will be done. Before moving to the announce-
ments, it was indicated that several appendices would
be given to the convention delegates. These were Wal-
ther’s Theses on Open Questions, a list of those servants
of the church who have passed to glory, including Dr.
Rosa Young and Dr. Victor Behnken, a list of tasks as-
signed to the administration at the 1969 convention, and
last-minute referrals to Committees 2 and 5. The Presi-
dent announced a change in appointments to Committee
6, Rev. Harold Schweigert and Prof. Gilbert Holstein,
and to Committee 4, Mr. Max Benitz.

Announcements

Rev. Victor Rickmann speaking for the Public Rela-
tions Department of the Synod announced that while
delegates might feel free to speak to the press, they
should remember their responsibility as Christians and
members of the Synod. The Public Relations Depart-
ment has the responsibility of being the official spokes-
man for the Synod. Rev. Victor Selle of the Convention
Arrangements Committee presented the Honorable
Henry W. Maier, Mayor of Milwaukee, who brought the
greetings of the city to the delegates. Mrs. C. R. Montz,
newly elected LWML president, relayed the resolutions
of the LWML regarding the synodical convention to the
delegates and called their attention to the report of the
past president found in the Workbook. She also pre-
sented a mini Bible study known as a mustard seed to
President Preus. Mr. Thomas McDougall, LLL presi-
dent, reported briefly on the highlights of the LLL pro-
gram. Rev. Karl Barth, President of the South Wiscon-
sin District, brought District greetings in the name of
Christ to the delegates. A communique from the Presi-
dent of the United States was read by Dr. Herbert Muel-
ler, Secretary of the Synod. The President of the Synod