# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S37
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 37

the record. Rev. Samuel Roth also asked that his ob-
jections be recorded and invited those who agreed with
him to present their names in an orderly way at the
Secretary’s desk and to join in singing the first stanza
of “The Church’s One Foundation.” After this had
been completed, the tenth business session of the con-
vention came to a close.

Memorial Service

In the closing devotion, former synodical Vice~Pres-
ident Paul Streufert led the convention in a memo-
rial service for those workers of the Synod who had
died during the last biennium. In his address based on
a section from Revelation he stressed the happy day
which these workers now experience, the happy day
which we still anticipate.

Session 11
July 11, Evening

Opening

Rev. Theodore DeLaney, executive secretary of the
Commission on Worship, led the convention in prayer
as it began its 11th business session of the 50th regular
convention.
Point of Privilege

Rev. Paul Spitz, on a point of privilege, asked to
read a statement into the convention record regarding
his view of events involved in the close of the last ses-
sion asking that all maneuvering be stopped in order
to avoid leading the convention to rash action.

Elections

Chairman Mennicke of the floor committee on Elec-
tions announced that one position on the Board for
Missions had not yet been filled.

Seminary Issues

Vice-President Guido Merkens called on Dr. Lewis
C. Niemoeller, chairman of the floor committee on Sem-
inary Issues, to present the committee’s resolutions to
the convention. The delegates were asked on the basis
of Resolution 3-09 (TB 107) to declare that the majority
position of the St. Louis seminary faculty was in viola-
tion of Article II of the Synod’s Constitution.

In response to a question as to when the “whereases”
of the resolution could be discussed, it was stated that
the preamble to a resolution was open for discussion at
any time but that it could not be amended until debate
on the “resolveds” had been completed.

In response to another question it was stated that
a motion to consider the resolution must be made and
seconded before objections can be raised to its consid-
eration by the assembly.

On the basis of a request from the floor, Resolution
3-09 was read in its entirety.

Point of Privilege

Dr. John Tietjen, president of Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, on a point of privilege, asked to be allowed
to speak on behalf of the Concordia Seminary faculty
regarding the resolution. He was granted permission
by the delegates to speak from the speaker’s podium.

After presenting his personal confession of faith, he
stated that he would seek, in a few words, to cut
through to the central issues. He rejected the charges
of denying the formal principle of theology, of Gospel
reductionism, of denial of miracles, and rejection of the
third use of the Law and stated that the faculty of the
St. Louis seminary did not regard the description of
their position given in the resolution as accurate. He
concluded his remarks with a prayer that the Holy
Spirit would lead the convention in finding a better way
to deal with the issues than has been proposed.

Response

Dr. Ernest Klug, professor of systematics at Concor-
dia Seminary, Springfield, and a member of the conven-
tion floor committee on Seminary Issues, responded for
the committee. He stated that while he appreciated the
statement which had been made, the committee had
spent a great deal of time discussing the issues involved
for months prior to the convention and for many hours
since the opening of the convention. Their study had
involved documents prepared by the faculty of Concor-
dia Seminary, St. Louis, reports of the Fact Finding
Committee, reports of the seminary Board of Control,
and many other items. The committee was convinced
that on the basis of its study the statements in the pro-
posed resolution were correct.

Suspension of Rules

Prior to a brief period of discussion, a motion was
made to remove Resolution 3-09 from consideration by
the convention. This motion failed to receive the ap-
proval of the majority of delegates. The convention then
agreed by a two-thirds majority to suspend the stand-
ing rules of the convention to the extent indicated,
namely, that discussion of the resolution be held at
a more reasonable time with not less than 3 hours al-
lowed for discussion, that the three advisory represen-
tatives of the St.Louis seminary faculty be given an
opportunity to speak, and that Dr. Tietjen be granted
speaking privileges equal to that of the floor committee.

Elections

The floor committee on Elections reported to the
convention that one place still remained to be filled on
the Board for Missions since no candidate had received
a majority on the balloting just completed.

Closing
Rev. Theodore DeLaney led the convention in its
closing prayer.

Session 12
July 12, Morning

Opening

Following an announcement by President Preus re-
garding a revision of the order of the day, the conven-
tion session opened with a devotion led by Rev. Edwin
Coyner. As a part of the devotion, convention essayist
Dr. Suelflow briefly described efforts of the Synod dur-
ing its history in the areas of missions, education, and
welfare. He pointed out that the involvement in works