# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S165
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

WARE NAR et ERA IRR CS Rie

SE IS BNE ETE SEN AAS

RESOLUTIONS 165

1. Resolutions at synodical conventions dealing with
“matters of doctrine and conscience shall be decided
only by the Word of God” (as opposed to appeals to hu-
man wisdom and opinion).

2. Voting on matters of doctrine and conscience shall
be understood as the Synod recognizing the doctrine
set forth in the Word of God.

3. In the event the vote is not unanimous the action
is not to be regarded as null and void.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

(A detailed review of the floor activity on this Resolution
in Sessions 2, 5, and 9 is given in the Minutes. The point of
order raised in Session 2 was to the effect that a motion to
table the motion to recommit would take the main motion
with it. This point was sustained by the chair. The amend-
ment offered in Session 5 was addressed to the 11th whereas.
After further discussion in Session 9 the committee in Ses-
sion 14 was given permission to present other resolutions
for action before returning to Resolution 5-03. The con-
vention did not have time to address itself again to this
resolution.)

To Change Format of Conventions
RESOLUTION 5-04

Report 5-02 (CW, p. 206); Overtures 5-12A, 5-12B, 5-13A,
5-14, 5-15 (CW, pp. 216—217)

Wuereas, Resolution 5-09 of the Milwaukee conven-
tion (Proceedings 1971, p. 155) assigned to the Com-
mittee on Organization a study and report on the na-
ture, function, and frequency of synodical conventions
including the kind of conventions best suited to meet
the needs of the Synod; and

Whereas, The Council of Administrators has recom-
mended that the conventions of the Synod continue to
be held on a biennial basis; and

Wuereas, There was no consensus among the Dis-
tricts on the frequency of synodical conventions; and

Wuereas, A majority of the 26 Districts which re-
sponded favored a different type of convention, calling
for more inspiration, information, and fellowship; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Synod retain the biennial con-
vention cycle and its essentially legislative function; and
be it further

Resolved, That in 1975 the format of the synodical
convention be changed to provide for more inspiration,
information, and fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, That a special convention committee be
established, consisting of the President and the Secre-
tary of the Synod, the Convention Manager of the
Synod, three District Presidents elected by the Council
of Presidents, three members of the Board of Directors
elected by it, and three members, a pastor, teacher, and
a layman, appointed by the President of the Synod, all
of whom shall have been delegates at the 1973 conven-
tion; and be it further

Resolved, That the committee shall be charged with

structuring the 1975 convention, with the understanding
that it be given freedom in planning the structure and
format of the convention in order to achieve the purpose
mentioned in the second resolved; and be it further

Resolved, That before the close of the 1975 conven-
tion a special floor committee review the effectiveness of
the 1975 format and make recommendations for the for-
mat and structure of future conventions; and be it
finally

Resolved, That in future conventions the recommen-
dations of the local committee be given serious con-
sideration.

Action: Adopted as amended (14).

(The last resolved was added by amendment.)

To Reaffirm Presidential Authority
and Responsibility

RESOLUTION 5-05

Report 5-01; Overtures 5-60A, 5-60B, 5-63, 5-64A—F,
5-71 5-72, 5-90 (CW, pp. 201—203, 227—229, 231, 238)

Wuereas, Suggestions have been made that the au-
thority of the office of the President should be strength-
ened; and

Wuereas, Others have suggested that the authority
of the office of the President be curtailed and divided
among either the Vice-Presidents or the District Presi-
dents; and

WuereEaSs, The Commission on Constitutional Matters,
after consultation with many knowledgeable people, has
made an in-depth study on the question of presidential
power and responsibility; and

Wuereas, Their findings indicate that extensive au-
thority does indeed exist and needs to exist in the office
of the President for effective administration; therefore
be it

Resolved, That this convention reaffirm the authority
and responsibility vested in the office of the President
by our Constitution and Bylaws.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Decline Change
Regarding Board of Directors
RESOLUTION 5-06
Overture 5-09 (CW, p. 215)

WuereEas, The request concerning the makeup of the
Board of Directors to include a teacher is covered by
Bylaw F 2.17; therefore be it

Resolved, That the request to change the Constitu-
tion of the Synod in this regard be declined.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.