# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S23
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 23

After adding the words “or registered with the
Secretary’s office since publication” after the word
“Workbook” (line 29, TB 36), Dr. Albin Stanfel,
chairman of the Registration and Credentials Com-
mittee, read Res. 1-01 (TB 36). Following the reading of
this resolution a motion was made and seconded to
adopt Res. 5-01. Prior to the adoption of this resolution a
motion was made, seconded, and adopted to amend the
resolution by adding the words “as well as those who
have refused ministry by their District President” after
the words “AELC membership” and before “‘to regretful-
ly notify” (line 67, TB 99). Following discussion of the
resolution as amended the delegates agreed to call the
question and accepted the amended resolution. After
this action had been completed, the delegates then
adopted Res. 1-01 (TB 36), which called for the seating of
delegates and representatives as listed in the Conven-
tion Workbook or registered with the Secretary’s office
since publication of the Workbook.

Nominations

Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod,
explained the procedure for additional nominations for
the office of President of the Synod. He referred the
delegates to the listing of presidential candidates found
in the Convention Workbook (11-01, p. 433). After some
brief discussion the delegates adopted the slate as
presented in the Convention Workbook.

Announcements

Dr. Mueller announced that greetings had been
received from the Lutheran Laymen’s League,
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, the Dallas
Council of Churches, International Lutheran Deaf
Association, the Lutheran Church in Nigeria, the
Lutheran Church of Australia, and from Dr. Martin
Strieter, former Treasurer of the Synod.

Closing Devotion

President Preus introduced Dr. Paul Streufert,
former Vice-President of the Synod, who is serving as
chaplain for the convention. Dr. Streufert pointed out
that the devotions would involve the use of various
languages which are used by groups within the Synod.

Or. Paul Streufert, convention chaptain

In the devotion Ephesians 4 was read in the German
language by Rev. Clarence T. Schuknecht. Dr. Streufert
then urged the delegates to follow the advice of St. Paul
to “study to be quiet.” The devotion was closed with the
singing of the hymn “Now Rest Beneath Night’s
Shadows” and the benediction, which was spoken as the
delegates hummed the melody of the hymn.

Session 2

July 16, Morning
Opening

After President Preus had called the meeting to
order, Chaplain Paul Streufert led the delegates in the
singing of the hymn “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” and ina
devotion based on Phil. 4:13, pointing out that in Christ
Paul was able to overcome the tradition of Jerusalem,
the power of Rome, and the culture of Athens. The
words “I can do all things through Christ, who
strengthens me,” were not an empty boast. The
Scripture reading and devotion were also presented in
sign language by Rev. Rodney Rynearson, executive
director of Lutheran Institute for the Deaf, Detroit.

Constitutional Matters

Dr. Richard Schlecht, chairman of the Floor
Committee on Constitutional Matters, introduced Res.
5-03A (TB 206) calling for the amendment of Bylaw
2.143 a for the purpose of improving election procedures
by providing additional information on nominees. This
resolution was adopted by the delegates. Before
introducing Res. 5-04 (TB 102) the committee in-
troduced a change in the wording of the resolution. In
line 20 (TB 102) they added the words “and synodical
and District boards, commissions, and staff’ between
the words “individuals” and “be given.” After the
resolution had been read with this change, the words
“or spring” were added in line 19 (TB 102) with the
consent of the committee between the words “fall” and
“pastors.” This resolution, calling for a progress report
of the Task Force on Constitution, Bylaws, and
Structure which would allow pastors’ and teachers’
conferences as well as congregations to respond to the
report, was then adopted. Resolution 5-05A (TB 207),
calling for an amendment in the Bylaws of the Synod
relating to the method of determining synodical
membership and the roster of the Synod’s members,
was introduced to the delegates. Consideration of this
resolution involved extended discussion, including a
number of amendments which were declined as well as
one which was accepted. After extending the time for
discussion and declining to recommit the rsolution to
the floor committee, President Preus called for a
decision on the resolution when 30 minutes of debate
had elapsed. The entire motion was declined. The
delegates reconfirmed this decision after a question had
been raised about the voting procedure.

Overtures Not Acted On by the Floor Committees
(Resolutions A and B)

Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod,
presented Resolution A (TB 184), which stated that