# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S24 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 24 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION Award Mr. Richard Sauer, president of the Lutheran Edu- cation Association, presented the Christus Magister award to Mr. Norman Brinkman, principal of Lutheran High School, Denver. He is the first member of a Lu- theran high school staff to win the honor. The award contains the inscription “A teacher come from God, John 3:2!” Parish Services The convention adopted a resolution to extend mar- riage and family counseling seminars and asked the Synod to fund these programs out of the 125th Anniver- sary Thankoffering as well as to engage a full-time project director to carry them out (Res. 7-02, TB 43). It urged congregations and school associations to foster a better understanding of Lutheran schools by com- municating their purposes, programs, and contributions to others and by participating in activities and meetings of public, governmental, and other groups (Res. 7-07, TB 43). It asked congregations to study the possibility of engaging Directors of Christian Education and re- quested District executives to identify parishes where they might develop an effective ministry, assisting them financially where necessary (Res. 7-08, TB 44). Con- gregations were encouraged to carefully select and use parish educational materials since it is their responsi- bility to develop local educational programs (Res. 7-09, TB 44). Theology and Church Relations Beginning with a prayer that God might help us all to see, know, and do his will, Chairman Karl Barth of the floor committee for Theology and Church Relations introduced Res. 2-03 (TB 27) calling on the delegates to accept the position paper “A Statement on Death, Resurrection, and Immortality.” After questions were raised regarding the meaning of “reference and gui- dance” and “accept,” the floor committee chairman suggested a change of wording in the resolved so that it would read, “Resolved, That the Synod commend the position paper ‘A Statement on Death, Resurrection, and Immortality’ to its membership for reference and guidance.” After a motion to recommit the resolution to the committee for reconsideration had failed, the amendment was adopted and the delegates accepted the resolution (2-04, TB 27) as amended. No negative votes were recorded. The committee next presented its reso- lution asking the delegates to declare homophile be- havior sinful and urging that the Law and Gospel of the Scriptures be applied to such people with a view toward ministering the forgiveness of Christ to any and all sinners who are pentitent. Time for discussion of this resolution expired before the convention could take action. Elections Chairman August Mennicke of the floor committee reported the following election results for the office of First Vice-President of the Synod. August Bernthal __._ 356 Guido Merkens ................ 79 Moses Dickinson _._..._.. 48 Edwin Weber _.............. 486 969 votes were cast with a majority of 485 needed for election. On the basis of the tabulation, Dr. Edwin Weber was declared elected. Addressing the conven- tion, Dr. Weber stated that he would try his best under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit to serve in the posi- tion to which he was elected. Chairman Mennicke then explained the method of nominations for the remaining synodical vice-presidents on the basis of the Bylaws of the Synod. After ballots had been distributed the nominations were declared closed. Social Ministry Chairman John Zimmermann of the floor committee on Social Ministry introduced the report of the com- mittee. He presented Dr. Leslie Weber, executive sec- retary of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief, who gave a brief history of social work within the Synod. He pointed out that we do not do our work as humanitarians but because we believe in the crucified and risen Lord and strive to imitate Him in the helping process. Our ministry is a total ministry. He also asked the delegates to include Dr. Werner Kuntz, former executive secretary of the Board for World Relief from 1953 to 1970, in their prayers since he is critically ill at this time. Chairman Zimmermann introduced Res. 9-01 (TB 52) after changing the subject to read, “To give serious consideration to priorities in social ministry and world relief” and eliminating the words “That we receive the report of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief, and” from the resolution. The delegates agreed to urge their congregations to give serious consideration to the seven priorities included in the report of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief (Workbook 313—317). Res. 9-02 (TB 52) was also adopted after changing the subject to read “To encourage the Commission on So- cial Concerns to continue to make their position papers and study documents available to the Synod” and alter- ing the resolved to agree with the title. Res. 9-03 (TB 53) asking congregations to sensitize their members to the problem of world hunger was introduced and dis- cussed. The words “Members of the Synod” were changed to “their members” in the first resolved by common consent. Rev. Martin Poch, secretary of the Commission on World Hunger, called attention to the first whereas giving special attention in his remarks to the needs in Nigeria and the drought-stricken dis- trict of the sub Sahara. An amendment was made and seconded to add an additional resolved reading, “That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod contribute $1 million during the next 2 years for helping to alleviate the hunger crisis in India, Africa, and Central America, and that it do this through Lutheran World Relief, In- corporated.” Time again expired before the convention could complete action on the amendment and the reso- lution. Synodical Administration Chairman Albin Stanfel of the floor committee on Synodical Administration presented Res. 4-01, 4-02, and [STE Weise arnqnonnsceras ARETE ONS i i é ‘ : : 3