# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S20 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 20 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION a steady increase in the financial strength of the church with the possibility of moving forward as a result of the 125th Anniversary Thankoffer- ing. While the contribution per communicant rose by $6.55, only 42¢ of this amount is allo- cated for purposes of District and Synod. There is a need to improve the financial base. f. The Synod is a body faithful to her doctrinal posi- tion. Doctrine is the basis for all other tasks and more theological study has taken place during the past biennium than at any time in Synod’s history. We are faced with questions concerning the na- ture and authority of the Word of God. Delegates who have been studying in preparation for mak- ing decisions at this convention will profoundly affect the church’s future. We have reached a doctrinal crossroads. g. Synod is people. Dr. Preus reminded the dele- gates that the church consists of people who are brothers and sisters of Christ and who are not just a set of statistics. The President’s report will be made available to all convention delegates. Dr. Preus concluded his report by thanking the boards and commissions, District Presidents, Vice-Pres- idents of the Synod, and all who have served faithfully during the past biennium. He welcomed the delegates from Brazil as well as the increased number of delegates from newly formed Districts and other Districts which had previously been represented by smaller delegations. “Sinners in a sinful world will have trouble,” Dr. Preus said, “but with the exception of doctrinal prob- lems few of the present problems facing our church come from within. We belong to a wonderful church with a wonderful heritage, a wonderful present, facing a wonderful future.” The President’s report concluded with the first and final stanzas of the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be.” Announcement Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, re- ferred delegates to the nominating procedure to be fol- lowed for President and First Vice-President and asked those who wished to place names in nomination to file the consent form and biographical statements with him. Convention Procedures Dr. Roland Wiederaenders, First Vice-President of the Synod, addressed the delegates informing them of general convention procedures to be followed. Synodical Program A visual presentation of the program of the Synod’s work was made to the convention. After the presenta- tion, climaxed with the singing of the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be,” thanks were extended to Concordia Publishing House and the Rev. Victor Growcock for preparation of this presentation entitled “Synod in Ac- tion.” Preliminary Matters After calling the convention to order Dr. Preus introduced the secretary and assistant secretary for the convention (Herbert Mueller and Walter Rosin) and the parliamentarians Dr. Mark Steege and Judge Gilbert Zitzelsberger. Registration Rev. Alwin Reimnitz, chairman of the Committee on Registration and Credentials, announced that Over- tures 15-01A and 15-01B of the Convention Workbook had been withdrawn. A motion was made and ap- proved that the delegates from the St. Paul circuit, English District, be seated. Convention Rules The standing rules of the convention (TB page 18) were adopted without a negative vote. Constitutional Matters Dr. Ellis Nieting, chairman of the Committee on Con- stitutional Matters, presented a resolution calling for the retention of Bylaw 2.129 b dealing with the nomina- tion procedures for President and First Vice-President of the Synod (TB 63, 5-01). A motion was made to amend this resolution by replacing lines 13—39 of TB page 63 with the following resolution: Resolved: That in keeping with the sacredness of the divine call to ministerial service, the dignity of the office of the President of the Synod, the principle of fairness, and respect for the informed, sincere Christian conscience of the brother, the following sentence be deleted from Bylaw 2.129b of Synod’s Handbook, p. 72: “Each candi- date shall reply within 10 days as to his willingness to serve if elected.” This motion was declined after the delegates had accepted the ruling of the chair and declined to call for a division of the house on the issue. After further dis- cussion the convention adopted Resolution 5-01 as pre- sented. Resolution 5-02 (TB 63) providing for the reporting of the ballot tally for nominations to the office of Presi- dent and First Vice-President of the Synod and in all other elections was introduced. An amendment asking the chair to instruct Committee 5 to determine their opinion as to whether the election to the presidency of the Synod constitutes a call was declined, as was an amendment asking that this matter be referred to a committee which the President of the Synod deemed appropriate. A further motion asking that the report regarding this matter be brought by Committee 5 to the convention before the close of the nominations for President was also rejected. Resolution 5-02 was then adopted as presented. Nominations for President Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, then made his report on nominations for President to the convention (CW, page 395, 13-01). He reported the bal- lot tally for all who had received at least five votes.