# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S168
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

168 RESOLUTIONS

matter of speaking at future conventions by youth rep-
resentatives be referred to the Board of Directors for
referral to a committee to study this and related mat-
ters; therefore be it

Resolved, That the concerns of Overtures 5-18, 5-19,
and 5-20 be referred to said appointed committee.

Action: Adopted (18).

To Authorize Certain Language Changes
in the Constitution

RESOLUTION 5-38

Overture 5-82 (CW, p. 273)

Wuereas, It is desirable to effect certain improve-
ments in the language of the Constitution by making the
linguistic changes as spelled out in paragraphs 1, 2,
and 3 of this overture; therefore be it

Resolved, That we approve the changes as spelled
out in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Overture 5-82, namely:

1. To change the singular verb “is” in Article VIII,
A, 2 to the plural “are”;

2. To insert the definite article “the” uniformly be-
fore the word “Synod”;

3. To change “official organs” and “official publica-
tions” to “official periodicals” in Article XI, B, 9; Article
XIV, 3 and 4;
and be it also

Resolved, That none of these changes be regarded as
constitutional amendments.

Action: Adopted (17).

To Decline Overture 5-43 (Laymen
in Certain Offices)
RESOLUTION 5-39
Overture 5-43 (CW, pp. 262—263)

Wuereas, It has been the policy of the Synod to em-
ploy many laymen in positions of great responsibility;
and

Wuereas, Clergy and laity have worked together in
harmony on the synodical and District levels; and

Wuereas, The suggestion that the secretaries on the
District and synodical levels may be laymen overlooks
the fact that a theological background at times is a very
real value to the secretaries; and

Wuereas, The suggestion to separate the administra-
tive and pastoral functions of the synodical and Dis-
trict presidents and vice-presidents is not feasible be-
cause it would lead to the confusion inherent in divided
responsibility; therefore be it

Resolved, That we decline Overture 5-43; and be it
also

Resolved, That we continue our policy of employing
competent laymen on the synodical and District levels
in positions of great responsibility.

Action: Adopted (17).

To Refer for Study
Voting on Fellowship Issues
RESOLUTION 5-40
Overtures 5-41, 5-42 (CW, p. 262)

WuerEAs, The limited time available to this conven-
tion makes it impossible to give adequate consideration
to the constitutional change required by Overtures 5-41
and 5-42 which they deserve; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overtures 5-41 and 9-42 be referred
to the Council of Presidents; and be it also

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents submit a
report on this matter to the 1973 convention.

Action: Adopted ( 17).

To Decline the Eligibility
of Reverend Herman Otten for the Ministry
in The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod

RESOLUTION 5-41
Overture 5-90 (CW, p. 276)

Wuereas, Trinity Lutheran Church of New Haven,
Missouri, seeks that Reverend Herman Otten be granted
another reconsideration of his case by the Synod; and

Wuereas, The Reverend Herman Otten’s case was
appealed to the 1962 Cleveland convention (1962 Pro-
ceedings, pp. 52—53, 63); and

Wuereas, This case again was appealed to the 1965
Detroit convention (1965 Proceedings, p. 133); and

Wuergas, The new overture (5-90) does not present
any new facts which would warrant the change of the
previous action; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 5-90 be declined.
Action: Adopted (17).

(A motion to grant Rev. Paul Burgdorf the privilege of
addressing the convention failed to carry.)

To Adopt Revision of Bylaw Provisions
for Commission on Architecture

RESOLUTION 5-42
Overture 5-87 (CW, p. 275)

Wuereas, Changing conditions have made some re-
visions in the Bylaw provisions for the Commission on
Architecture desirable; therefore be it

Resolved, That the proposed wording of Bylaw 2.113
be adopted:

2.113 Commission on Architecture

The Commission on Architecture shall consist of
eleven persons, of whom at least nine members are
architects, one is a clergyman and/or teacher, and
one an artist engaged in or teaching in the art pro-
fession. The commission shall, when requested,
counsel and advise congregations, synodical and
District boards and commissions, and agencies of the
Synod and Districts concerning site selection, site