# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S31
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 31

Convention Procedures

After some discussion the convention adopted the
following proposed resolution: “Resolved, That the as-
sembly in the spirit of love respectfully admonish those
brothers and sisters who for whatever reason may be
delaying the business of this convention through parlia-
mentary procedures and unnecessary debate, and be it
also Resolved, That the assembly encourage all broth-
ers and sisters in the spirit of love, to cease engaging
in unnecessary parliamentary delays and debates and
to work together to bring the real issues facing this
convention to a vote.”

Following acceptance of this resolution the conven-
tion declined to extend the time of the afternoon session
by one hour rather than meet in an evening session as
well as a proposal that the chairman lead the conven-
tion in prayer prior to calling the vote on controversial
resolutions.

In response to a question regarding the handling of
matters not dealt with by the convention the Secretary
replied that these matters were directed in the last con-
vention to the attention of the Board of Directors of the
Synod through an enabling resolution.

Seminary Issues

After a call for the orders of the day the convention
began its discussion of seminary issues. Prior to the
beginning of the discussion of Res. 2-12 (TB 31) sev-
eral statements were read to the convention after a
point of privilege had been granted by the chair. In the
discussion which followed, the delegates first declined
to approve an amendment which called for the addition
of the following resolutions: “Resolved, That doctrinal
statements once approved by the Commission on Theol-
ogy and Church Relations be submitted by them to all
synodical congregations together with proponent and
opponent views, for discussion and review, and be it
further Resolved, That each congregation submit its
position toward such doctrinal statements within one
year after receipt, and be it finally Resolved, That any
doctrinal statement will have a binding nature upon
all synodical members if three fourths of all congrega-
tions within the Synod indicate adoption of that state-
ment.” They also declined an amendment to substitute
in line 4 (TB 34) following the words the “Lutheran
symbols” the phrase “are to be accepted and used as
helpful expositions and explanations.” Calls for the
question failed on two different occasions.

The convention was given notice by a delegate that
at the next session of the convention when Resolution
2-12 came before it he would move the previous ques-
tion on that motion and all amendments that might be
pending on the resolution. After Dr. Theo. Nickel had
quoted sections from Robert’s Rules of Order which are
designed to protect the rights of the majority, another
delegate filed notice that he would “tomorrow move
that the standing rules of the convention be changed
to provide that following 30 minutes of debate on any
motion the chair shall call the previous question and
that only a simple majority of registered voters be re-

quired to terminate debate and, further, that should
the motion to call the previous question fail to secure
a majority the chairman shall after 15 more minutes
of debate once more put the motion to call the previous
question at which time if passed by a simple majority
debate shall cease and that this procedure be followed
after every 15 minutes of debate.” It was decided to
extend the time until the motion to adopt Res. 2-12 had
been brought to a vote.

The delegates declined to accept a motion which
stated that “Whereas there are around 200 overtures
awaiting action by this convention; and Whereas pre-
cious time is being used at astronomical costs for the
debate of only a few resolutions; and Whereas the dis-
cussion of these few resolutions has been acrimonious,
resulting in the alienation of Christian brothers from
each other; and Whereas we are under God’s judgment
for unnecessary misuse of his gifts supplied by the
stewardship of our beloved people; therefore be it Re-
solved, That this convention complete action on the
overtures of Committees No. 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14 15, and 16 before again considering the overtures of
Committees No.1, 2, 3 and 5.”

When the question was again called, the convention
brought debate on Res. 2-12 to a close by a two-thirds
majority vote, 699 to 304. The convention then adopted
the resolution by the vote of 653 to 381, thereby stating
that Article II of the Synod’s Constitution is to be
understood as requiring the formulation and adoption
of synodical doctrinal statements.

Questions were raised regarding the permissibility
of revision of the preamble and whereases of the reso-
lution. The chair ruled that with the passage of the
resolution these sections had also been adopted since
no objection had been raised at the time of approval.

Closing

The session closed with a hymn and prayer led by
Mr. Clayton Fischer, principal of New Orleans Lutheran
High School.

Session 7
July 10, Afternoon

Opening

The seventh session of the 50th regular convention
opened with a devotion consisting of song, prayer, and
Scripture reading, led by Mr. James A. Wallace Jr.
Minutes

The Minutes of Sessions 2, 3, and 4 stood approved
as presented.
Elections

Chairman Mennicke continued his report on the
election results (see report attached to the Minutes).
Ballots for the unfilled positions were then distributed.
Honorary Degree

President Preus introduced Dr. John Tietjen who
conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity
upon Rev. Calvin Thompson in behalf of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, and its Board of Control. Among