# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S56
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

56 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

synodical offices were declined because our present
system of electing synodical officials has proven to be
beneficial and because the assignments of certain
officials within the church call for a higher degree of
theological competency, for which pastors are especial-
ly trained (Res. 5-34, TB 117). Because the situation
presented in Overture 5-100 (CW 199) was no longer
relevant, the delegates also agreed to decline this
overture (Res. 5-35, TB 117). The convention also
declined to consider an overture calling for the
reorganization and redistricting of the Synod because
the Task Force on Constitution, Bylaws, and Structure
will be dealing with matters of this nature in presenting
their report at the next convention (Res. 5-36, TB 118).
The difficulty, expense, and time-consuming procedure
involved caused the delegates to decline an overture
which asked for ratification of convention resolutions
by congregations (Res. 5-37, TB 118). Overture 5-111
(CW 204—205) was declined because concerns about the
San Francisco Night Ministry of the California and
Nevada District had been resolved (Res. 5-38, TB 118).
After adopting these resolutions the delegates resumed
consideration of Res. 5-32 (7B 117), on which action had
not been completed in a previous session. After brief
discussion they adopted the recommendation of the
floor committee and agreed to decline to review the
election procedures of the Anaheim convention.

Personal Privilege

Speaking on a point of personal privilege, a delegate
was granted the permission to present a resolution
declaring that all business of the floor committees
(except for Committee 1) had been completed and that
no resolution should be brought back to the floor for
reconsideration. This resolution was adopted.

Registration and Credentials

Mrs. Catherine Burkhard, a member of the Conven-
tion Arrangements Committee, reported for the Com-
mittee on Credentials and Registration that 1,695
persons (corrected after audit) had been officially
registered in addition to media and public relations
persons: 562 voting pastoral delegates, 559 voting lay
delegates, 65 advisory pastors, 133 advisory teachers,
288 official representatives, 42 youth, 13 special guests,
21 convention committee and staff members, 6 official
observers, and 6 ad-hoc committee members.

Installation of Officers

Prior to the close of the convention, President Preus
installed members of the boards who had been elected
at the convention. The officers and Board of Directors
of the Synod will be installed at a September service in
St. Louis.

Minutes

The minutes of Sessions 11, 12, and 13 were
approved as submitted.

Closing

After reading a section from Philippians 3, Presi-
dent Preus addressed the delegates, referring to the
spirit of this convention as a positive, forward-looking
one. He cited some of the actions which had been taken
by the convention and encouraged the delegates to
return home with joy and to seek to implement the
resolutions which had been adopted, asking for the
power and blessing of God upon their work. The
convention was then adjourned by resolution of the
delegates.

Walter Rosin, Assistant Secretary

Election Results

Reelected: First Vice-President Edwin Weber
and President J. A. O. Preus

Nominating Ballot Election Ballot
1

President (Congregations) Q) (2)
*J. A. O. Preus ............ 1,625 544 596
Charles S. Mueller ....... 277 279 330
Oswald C. Hoffmann .... 206 declined

August Bernthal ......... 142 80 38
Arnold G. Kuntz ......... 128 declined

Walter A. Maier Jr. ...... 105 168 119
Guido A. Merkens ........ 93 declined

Edwin C. Weber .......... 49 declined

Karl L. Barth ............ 33 declined

Carl A. Heckmann ....... 23 19

August T. Mennicke ...... 18

L. Lloyd Behnken ........ 17

Wilbert E. Griesse ........ 14

Arthur H. Ziegler ........ 12

Emil G. Jaech ........... 12

Frederick A. Niedner ..... 11
Edmund H. Happel
Ralph A. Bohlmann ...... 7
Richard L. Schlecht ...... 6
Robert C. Sauer .......... 6
John E. Ellermann ....... 6
Herman R. Frincke 6
Richard J. Schultz 5