# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S23
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 23

for worship groups such as campus worship communi-
ties (TB 94, 5-02).

Missions

Rev. Wilbert Griesse representing the Committee on
Missions spoke of a church in mission and the meaning
of that fact. He introduced Rev. William Kohn, Execu-
tive Secretary of the Board for Missions, who addressed
the convention regarding the excitement, joy, privilege,
and opportunities of missions. He introduced a resolu-
tion to urge unified and thankful support of the Synod's
missions (TB 46, 1-06). Several amendments to the
resolution were declined, and the original resolution
was adopted.

Evangelism

Rev. August Bernthal introduced resolutions from
the Committee on Evangelism, which were read by Mr.
N. Zarnke. The convention determined to accept the
President’s challenge for outreach (TB 50, 8-03) and
to concern itself with “backdoor losses” (TB 51, 8-04).
Before introducing the resolution to recommend Key
73 (TB 50, 8-02) Dr. Theodore Raedeke, former Direc-
tor of Evangelism for the Synod and presently chairman
of Key 73, addressed the convention tracing the origin
and development of the program. An amendment to
drop the third resolved of the resolution was declined,
and the convention adopted the resolution as printed.
The delegates asked the CTCR to study the office of
evangelist (TB 52, 8-07) and determined to encourage
evangelism programs in the schools of our Synod (TB
53, 8-08) as well as to encourage terminal schools of
the Synod in carrying out evangelism training (TB 53-
09). An amendment to include the phrase “on the job
training” was withdrawn.

Social Action and Welfare

Rev. L. Goetz, chairman of the Committee on Social
Action and Welfare, introduced the committee’s report.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the Social
Ministry Affirmations prepared by the committee (TB
40, 9-07). A motion to amend the affirmations was made
and seconded. Due to considerable discussion the time
allotted for the committee’s report expired. A motion
to extend time on the agenda for continuation of the
discussion was lost. The matter was to be considered
further at a later time.

Communications

Rev. E. H. Happel presented resolutions from the
Committee on Communications. On its recommenda-
tion the convention resolved to receive the report of the
Commission on Church Literature (TB 112, 10-07), the
report of the Committee on Publishing Walther’s Writ-
ings (TB 112, 10-08), the report of the Board for Pub-
lic Relations (TB 112, 10-09), and that of the Division of
Communications (TB 113, 10-10). It also agreed to con-
tinue the study of priorities for expanded use of media

in the mission of the church (TB 113, 10-11) and to re-
ceive the report of Radio Station KFUO (TB 114, 10-12).

Social Action and Welfare

The unfinished discussion of the amendment to the
resolution for adoption of the Social Ministry Affirma-
tions was resumed. A vote on the amendment resulted
in its loss. Discussion which then continued on the main
motion was not completed and will be concluded at
a later time.

Elections

Chairman Bruns of the Committee on Elections ex-
plained election procedures to the delegates, calling at-
tention to the statement on ethics of the Council of
Presidents, which speaks to this matter. Ballots for the
Commission on Mission and Ministry, the Board of Ap-
peals, the Board of Directors of Concordia Publishing
House, and the Board of Stewardship were distributed.
After the voting and gathering of ballots, election for
these offices was declared closed.

Announcements

Several announcements were made, including the
request by Secretary Herbert Mueller that overture
headings be by infinitive construction. The session
closed with prayer led by Dr. Walter Stuenkel.

Session 3

July 10, Evening
Opening

The third session of the convention was opened with
prayer led by Bryant E. Clancy, pastor of Prince of
Peace Lutheran Church, Charlotte, N. C.

Higher Education

President Preus called on Dr. Henry Niermann,
chairman of the Committee on Higher Education, who
introduced the report for the committee. Resolutions
were read by various members of the committee. The
first of these, which was approved by the delegates,
called for the continuation of St. John’s College, Win-
field, Kans., and consultation between the Board for
Higher Education and the Boards of Control of Saint
Johns, St. Paul’s College, Concordia, Mo., and Concor-
dia College of Austin, Tex., to determine the ways in
which the needs of their geographic area might be best
served (TB 64, 6-02). The convention also resolved to
urge the Board for Higher Education to implement a
special program for the training of black clergy for the
holy ministry at existing synodical schools and especially
at Alabama Lutheran Academy and College (TB 65, 6-
04). It declined Overture 6-26 calling for a limitation
on the term of office for Board of Control members (TB
66, 6-05) since such limitation is already provided for
in the Bylaws. It also declined Overtures 6-42 and 6-
50, which asked that students not be permitted to par-
ticipate in faculty committees (TB 66, 6-06). A motion
for retaining present procedures for electing presidents