# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S35
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 35

Constitutional Matters

Discussion of Resolution 5-03 (TB 64) asking for
clarification of the statement “All matters of doctrine
and of conscience shall be decided only by the Word
of God” was resumed. Time allowed for the discussion
once again expired before action could be taken on the

motion.

LCUSA

LCUSA president Arnold Mickelson was presented
to the convention. In his remarks he pointed out that
Lutherans need a common agency to become acquainted
with, to understand, to come to trust, and work with
each other. He then introduced Dr. C. T. Spitz, execu-
tive secretary, who spoke on the work of the Council as
it relates to The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.
He pointed out that confessions grow out of differing
opinions and that in the past the struggle had some-
times gone on for many years. Missouri knows that it
is not all of Lutheranism. It knew and acknowledged
and said it before the Council ever came into being.
The three groups involved in the Council are now en-
gaged in doctrinal discussions of various kinds. In his
concluding remarks Dr. Spitz pointed to the need for
an agency such as LCUSA in order to avoid duplication
of efforts.

Elections

Chairman Mennicke reported that as a result of the
last balloting only two offices remain unfilled, those of
two pastors on the Board for Missions.

Point of Information

In response to the point of information which had
been requested previously the parliamentarian stated
that a secret ballot vote required a motion and majority
approval on the part of the assembly.

Communications

Chairman George Wollenburg of the floor committee
on Communications introduced Res. 10-07 (TB 75) de-
clining overtures asking for the elimination of the Edi-
torial Commission for Official Periodicals. The dele-
gates agreed with the recommendation of the floor com-
mittee. They encouraged the expansion of the Lutheran
television ministry through the giving of priority to
increasing budget allocations for this purpose and by
providing assistance through this agency in the develop-
ment of regional and local television ministries. (Res.
10-10 and 10-11, TB 198)

Since many members of the Synod travel extensively
and wish to attend churches of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod away from home, congregations were
urged to publicize their synodical affiliation (Res. 10-12,
TB 199). After noting and receiving reports from the
various units of the Division of Communications and
expressing thanks for the work of its members (Res.
10-13, TB 199) the delegates referred Res. 10-14 (TB
199) back to the committee for further consideration.
This resolution called for the creation of a Board for
Communications by the Board of Directors of Synod

and asked for the preparation of Bylaws which would
deal with this matter.

Orders of the Day

They called for following the orders of the day be-
ginning with 2 p.m., July 11, after a motion calling for
alteration of the orders was defeated.

Closing
The morning session closed with a devotion led by
Mr. Roy Armstrong.

Session 10

. July 11, Afternoon

Opening

The opening devotion for the afternoon session was
conducted by Mrs. Ida Mall who led the convention in
the singing of a hymn, Scripture reading, and prayer.
The Minutes of Session 5 were adopted as revised in
being presented (inclusion of procedure for adopting
minutes and of action approving previous minutes).

Elections

Chairman Mennicke reporting for the Election Com-
mittee indicated that elections for the Board for Mis-
sions were not yet complete. After the ballots were
distributed he declared the election closed.

Stewardship and Finance

Chairman Lloyd Goetz of the floor committee on
Stewardship and Finance introduced his committee’s
report, bringing Resolution 12-13 before the convention
(TB 150). This resolution which called for the estab-
lishment of an ad hoc committee to revise Bylaws for
the budget preparation also directed that the present
practices and procedures for budget preparation be fol-
lowed during the next biennium. It was adopted by
the convention. The delegates commended the pension
work committee for action taken and encouraged them
to continue to pursue matters assigned to them (Res.
12-14, TB 150) with the same diligence they had ex-
hibited in the past. Resolution 12-15 (TB 150) recom-
mended that an overture asking for an open enrollment
period for enrollment in the Concordia Welfare Plan
be declined. The delegates agreed with the recom-
mendation.

Paul Picard? ? ?