# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S154
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

154 RESOLUTIONS

Advisory members, including pastors, professors, and
teachers, have the right of speech in all synodical meet-
ings; they may appeal to the voting members to make
a motion which suits them and to have it seconded; they
are eligible to membership on committees and certain
offices of districts as, for instance, to the office of visitor
or to the offices of the general body; they also may pre-
sent memorials to the Synod. Since no additional essen-
tial rights would be conferred upon them by granting
them the right to make and second motions, the Synod
resolved to abide by its rule of seventy-five years’ stand-
ing....

The committee, therefore, recommends to the conven-
tion that it make no changes in its present practices on
the right of teachers to vote at synodical conventions;

therefore be it

Resolved, That we adopt this part of the report of
the Committee on Organization; and be it further

Resolved, That we refrain at this time from granting
franchise to our Lutheran teachers (male and female)
but that continued study be given the question espe-
cially as it relates to the current CTCR study of teacher
ordination; and be it finally

Resolved, That we recognize the valuable contribu-
tions which our teachers are making to the work of the
Synod in and out of the classroom and that we express
to them our profound gratitude for this labor of love.

Action: Adopted as amended (6).

(Amendments were adopted adding the final clause “but
that . . .” to the second resolved and including a specific
reference to “male and female.” This made it advisable to
modify the reference in the last resolved to “our brothers,
the teachers” to “our teachers.”)

To Affirm Constitutionality of Denver
Resolution 3-15

RESOLUTION 5-04
Overtures 5-76—5-78 (CW, pp. 272—273)

Introductory Remarks

The following resolution deals only with the consti-
tutionality of Resolution 3-15 adopted at the Denver
convention whereby pulpit and altar fellowship with
The American Lutheran Church was established on a
permissive but not on a mandatory basis. The resolu-
tion we are presenting does not presume to indicate
whether the adoption of Resolution 3-15 by the Denver
convention was wise or unwise, or whether a delay in
voting would have been better procedure. We are here
confronted with only one basic question: Was adoption
by the Denver convention of Resolution 3-15 constitu-
tional?

Wuereas, The assertion made in Overture 5-76 that
member congregations of the Synod were coerced into
a fellowship practice is inaccurate; and

Wuereas, Contrary to the assertion made in Overture
5-77, the minutes of the Denver convention show that
the entire resolution was read and that ample oppor-
tunity was given to amend also the Preamble; and

Wuereas, Paragraph 1.21 of the Synod’s Bylaws
states, “Only a delegate convention of the Synod shall
authorize affiliation or association of the Synod with
other church bodies, Synods, or federations” and does

not stipulate that such action must be by more than
a majority vote as petitioners in Overture 5-78 appar-
ently would have it; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention affirm that Resolution
3-15 of the Denver convention was adopted in a consti-
tutional manner; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention accept the opinion on
the constitutionality of Denver Resolution 3-15 as form-
ulated by the Committee on Constitutional Matters and
printed as Appendix A on pp. 242—243 of the 1971
Workbook; and be it finally

Resolved, That we refrain from granting Overtures
5-76—5-78.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Provide Continuity on Nominating
Committee
RESOLUTION 5-05

Overture 13-02 (CW, p. 480)

Wuereas, The Denver convention established the
Committee for Convention Nominations as an ad hoc
convention committee whose members may not succeed
themselves; and

Wuereas, Continuity on this committee would result
in a more efficient performance of its tasks; therefore
be it

Resolved, That this committee continue to be an ad
hoc committee; and be it also

Resolved, That the chairman and the secretary of this
committee become advisory members of the succeeding
Committee for Convention Nominations.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Decline Overture 5-22
(Option of District Membership)
RESQLUTION 5-06
Overture 5-22 (CW, p. 257)

WuereEas, The provision stated in the synodical
Constitution (Article XII, paragraph 1), “Synod is di-
vided into Districts, the geographical boundaries of
which are determined by Synod, and are altered by
it according to circumstances,” gives congregations the
opportunity to petition for transfer to the District with
which they have natural geographical or community ties

and with which they share common concerns; therefore
be it

Resolved, That Overture 5-22 be declined.
Action: Adopted (14).

To Decline Overture 5-89
(San Francisco Night Ministry)

RESOLUTION 5-07

Overture 5-89 (CW, pp. 275—276)
Whereas, Investigation and consultation with the