# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S182
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

182 RESOLUTIONS

e) To serve the Lutheran Church as a youth-led
ministry within its membership and supportive of its
objectives; and

f) To gather, administer and disburse funds in keep-
ing with these purposes.

The Walther League declares that during the process
of maturation, self-determination and self-expression
regarding the issues of life are important. In its guid-
ing principles, it welcomes the respect and consideration
of the parent group and anticipates and hopes for dialog
regarding its judgments and activity.

At present the Walther League’s concerns for hunger
and its causes are valid. They should be acknowledged
and appreciated by a parent group that has sometimes
been apathetic to the total mission which God has given
to all His people. Some of the Walther League’s state-
ments and actions, on the other hand, have reflected
impetuousness and a lack of experience and maturity.
These ought to be noted and dealt with by the church
not unilaterally, but in the loving concern of a Christian
parent group that is committed to providing guidance
to the Walther League. (Handbook 7.73 e)

The Walther League is no longer the type of aux-
iliary organization that is commonly assumed in the
traditional sense by the membership of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod. It is admittedly different;
yet its very structure and its unique emphases demon-
Strate that it seeks to fulfill a specific role within the
total program and ministry of the church and of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.

We believe that the role of the Walther League
should be viewed in the context of the church’s total
character and mission, and that it should be evaluated
and responded to accordingly. We also believe that the
Walther League should be responsive to the guidance
of the parent body. We are convinced, at the same time,
that other directions and emphases among our youth
should also be recognized and studied to guarantee the
full potential of all the youth who are God’s gift to the
church,

Wuereas, A question has been raised regarding the
status of the Walther League and its relationship to
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention adopt this statement
regarding the Walther League; and be it further

Resolved, That Overture 7-19 be declined; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Council of Administrators be
instructed to define the role and relationship of the
Walther League to the Synod and to report to the next
convention.

Action: Adopted as amended (12).

(Amendment: to substitute “of the Walther League to”
for “of auxiliaries in” in the final resolved.

In the original Resolution 7-14 the four paragraphs im-
mediately preceding the whereas had read as follows:

“The Walther League declares the importance, in the
process of maturation, for self-determination and self-ex-
pression regarding the issues of life. In its statement of pur-

pose it deliberately and considerately absolves The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod from responsibility for any of the
Walther League’s faulty and immature decisions and actions.
It welcomes, however, the respect and consideration of the
parent group and anticipates and hopes for dialog regarding
its judgments and activity.

“Many of the Walther League’s concerns along with its
answers to those concerns are valid and representative of
the purpose and the power of Christ among youth — and also
among adults. Those concerns and responses should be ac-
knowledged and appreciated by a parent group that has
sometimes been apathetic to the total mission which God has
given to all His people. Some of the Walther League’s judg-
ments and actions, on the other hand, have demonstrated
poor judgment and a lack of experience and maturity, and
ought to be noted and dealt with by the church not uni-
laterally, but in the loving and mature quality of a Christian
parent group that is committed to the vital, and often diffi-
cult role of developer, educator, motivator, and loving disci-
plinarian.

“The Walther League is no longer the type of auxiliary
organization that is commonly assumed in the traditional
sense by the membership of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod. It is admittedly different; yet its very structure
and its unique emphases demonstrate that it seeks to fulfill

church and of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.

“We believe that the role of the Walther League should
be viewed in the context of the church’s total character and
mission, and that it should be evaluated and responded to
accordingly. We are convinced, at the same time, that other
directions and emphases among our youth should also be
recognized and studied and that other approaches to youth-
ful response and techniques of youth programming should
be considered and cultivated within the church to guarantee
the full potential of the awakening vitality of all the youth
who are God’s gift to the church.”)

To Recognize Dr. Arthur Miller’s 25th Year
of Service
RESOLUTION 7-16

Wuereas, Dr. Arthur Miller is completing his 25th
year as Executive Secretary for the Board of Parish
Education of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
and has been a faithful servant of our Lord and the
church throughout these special years of his life; and

Wuereas, The church has been greatly blessed by the
positive and progressive attitudes and approaches fos-
tered in the Parish Education Department throughout
these years; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1971 convention assembled in
Milwaukee, Wis., give a rising vote of thanks to Dr.
Arthur Miller, and offer our prayers of thanks and
praise to God for having given the church this faithful]
servant.

Action: Adopted (4).

To Provide Information on Scholarships
RESOLUTION 7-17
Overture 7-05 (CW, p. 368)
Wuereas, Many young people see world hunger and
environmental pollution making this decade one that

will adversely affect their future and that of their chil-
dren; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Youth Ministry gather
a file of information on available scholarships in careers

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