# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S48 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 48 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION member” status, Overture 4-62 (CW 161) was declined (Res. 4-32, TB 94). Overtures 4-35A—B (CW 151) were also declined since the dates on which the synodical conventions are held are selected by those responsible for planning the convention. Delegates agreed that the complexty of convention arrangements required a convention manager and therefore declined Overtures 4-40A—C (CW 151) by adopting Res. 4-34 (TB 94). Because the assets of the Synod are held for the work of God’s kingdom as this work is carried on by the Synod, and the Synod has provided for equitable disposition of financial matters as well as loving solutions to problems which arise, Overture 4-81 (CW 166), calling for a distribution of the assets of the Synod, according to a specific formula, to congregations who resign from it, was declined (Res. 4-31, TB 93). The delegates changed Bylaw 10.27 of the synodical Handbook and deleted Bylaw 10.29, thereby abolishing District sub- committees of the Board of Managers—Pensions and Support (Res. 4-30, TB 93). Elections Chairman Ziegler of the Floor Committee on Elections reported the results of some of the unfilled positions for boards of the Synod. The following elections were reported: Board of Stewardship: Charles W. Keturakat Board of Control, Sao Leopoldo: Walter Warth Committee for Convention Nominations: Eugene L. Krentz, Norman T. Laesch, Ellis Nieting Closing Devotion After the singing of a hymn by the LEA choir, Dr. Bernthal led the delegates in prayer as a closing devotion for the session. Session 14 July 21, Afternoon Opening Devotion Dr. August Bernthal led the delegates in the opening devotion for the Thursday afternoon session of the convention. After missionary John Fajen had read the Scriptures in one of the languages of Nigeria, the delegates joined in reading the same section in the English language. The reading was taken from a section of Colossians titled “The Incomparable Christ.” Dr. Bernthal based his remarks on this section and asked the delegates to close the devotion by joining in the singing of the hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” Elections Chairman Ziegler of the Elections Committee reported that ballots would be distributed for filling the remaining unfilled positions for officers and boards of the Synod. After the ballots had been distributed, he declared the elections closed. Minutes The minutes of Sessions 8, 9, and 10 were approved as presented. Program Implementation Chairman Paul Zimmerman of the Floor Committee on Program Implementation introduced Res. 13-08A (TB 241), calling for the establishment of the 1978—79 work program of the Synod. During discussion of the resolution delegates adopted an amendment adding the words “and that these changes shall be communicated to the delegates to the Dallas convention” after the word “projects” in line 42 (TB 241). They also changed the amount recommended for the Board for Missions for 1978 and 1979 by $200,000 annually (line 8, TB 242). This necessitated a change in lines 28 and 29 (TB 241), so that the figures would read $30,057,306 and $32,921,- 269 respectively. The resolution was then adopted as amended. By accepting Res. 13-09B (TB 304) delegates made it possible to carry out budgeted work and other authorized work by permitting borrowing a sum equal to five percent of the finalized budget for each year if this action is necessary. The report of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation was accepted, and members of the Synod were encouraged to make themselves aware of and to utilize the LCMS Foun- dation’s various services (Res. 13-13, TB 182). Delegates resolved that the Synod recognize the present need of educational institutions to raise increasingly larger amounts of money by their own efforts and develop- ment and asked for exploration of the coordination of fund-raising efforts by educational institutions. They also resolved that the Synod provide at least the present percentage level of subsidy (including current inflationary trends) for its educational institutions (Res. 13-12, TB 182). At the conclusion of action by the convention on proposals from the Floor Committee on Program Implementation, Pastor Vetter of No. Wis., a member of the floor committee, spoke to the delegates, urging that “we and the Father work together” in meeting the needs for program implementation. Parish Services Chairman Zeile of the Floor Committee on Parish Services brought Res. 7-14 (TB 138) before the conven- tion. This resolution, designating the Reporter as an official periodical, was adopted by the delegates. In order to allow the fiscal year of Concordia Publishing House to coincide as closely as possible with the Synod’s fiscal year, Bylaw 11.21 was amended so that the fiscal year of Concordia Publishing House would begin on the first day of January in each year (Res. 7- 16, TB 140). Resolution 7-10 (TB 136) was reintroduced to the convention. Action on this resolution had not been completed in a previous session. After the delegates had declined to consider the recommendation of paragraph f of the Convention Workbook, page 278, as a substitute motion, they adopted the resolution as presented by the floor committee, giving direction to the Board of Youth Ministry with respect to All-Lutheran Youth/Adult Gatherings.