# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S97
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 51

“raise” on line 31 of Res. 6-07A (TB 287), since the
convention had turned down several amendments
which seemed to leave unanswered whether the
$500,000 to be “raised” by the local supporters could
include also borrowed funds. The delegates resolved
that borrowing should be permitted under the concept
of “raising” by voting down a motion which would
have stipulated that the $500,000 should be raised from
“its supporters and foundation and not from borrowed
funds.”

Closing Devotion

This session of the convention closed with a
devotion led by Dr. August Bernthal, now acting
chaplain of the convention.

Session 15

July 21, Evening
Opening
The fifteenth session of the 52nd regular convention
of the Synod opened with a devotion led by youth
representatives who are present at the convention. Dr.
August Bernthal, acting chaplain, introduced the
representatives to the delegates.

Orders of the Day

Before beginning discussion of any resolutions,
President Preus presented the orders of the day for the
Friday sessions. He indicated that Committees 4,7, 8,9,
and 13 had finished their work.

Elections

Dr. Scherer, speaking for the Floor Committee on
Elections, reported that in the last balloting no
elections had occurred. New ballots were then dis-
tributed for the election of candidates for the unfilled
positions of officers and boards of the Synod.

Point of Privilege

Having been granted a point of privilege, a delegate
read a statement to the convention, giving her views
with respect to Res. 7-26A.

Theology and Church Relations

Consideration was begun of the substitute motion
for Res. 3-04A, which had been distributed to the
delegates. The substitute resolution was to include all of
the material in lines 7—51 (TB 318) and then was to
continue with the following words: “Resolved, That this
committee be responsible for conducting a thorough
review of the final ILCW draft of the Lutheran Book of
Worship as it has been reviewed by the doctrinal re-
view process, utilizing the (published) study of the
CTCR as well as other sources, and be it further
Resolved, That the ‘Blue Ribbon’ committee be directed
to complete its work as quickly as possible; and
be it further Resolved, That CPH be authorized to
proceed with the publication of the LBW (in cooperation
with the ALC and LCA publishing houses) as soon as

the doctrinal and ‘Blue Ribbon’ committee review is
completed according to normal review processes, such
publication to be in sufficient numbers for distribution
at congregational expense of at least two copies for
each member congregation of the LCMS to complete a
process of exposure; and be it finally Resolved, That the
matter of official endorsement be taken up at the next
regular synodical convention.” After considerable
discussion the delegates agreed to cease debate on the
substitute motion and then declined it. After further
discussion on the original resolution, the delegates
agreed to cease debate and then adopted Res. 3-04A (TB
318) as presented by the floor committee. After the
committee had added Overture 3-166 (CW 117) in line 45
(TB 64), they introduced Res. 3-16 (TB 64). The
delegates adopted this resolution, agreeing that since
the requirements for consideration by the Synod of
altar and pulpit fellowship have not been met accor-
ding to Bylaw 16.03 a, no action on fellowship with the
AELC should be taken at this time. Since the case of Dr.
Tietjen has not been completed and is still in the
process of adjudication, the delegates also concurred
with the committee (Res. 3-17) in declining Ovs. 3-21, 3-
22A—B (CW 76). Overture 3-118 (CW 104) was also
declined since the Synod had never interpreted N.O.
Res. 3-09 to charge individual members of the so-called
“faculty majority” with false doctrine (Res. 3-18, TB
65). After substituting the word “decadence” in lines 32
and 35 (TB 65) for the word “illness,” the Floor
Committee on Theology and Church Relations in-
troduced Res. 3-19 (7B 65), calling for a study of the
issues of human sexuality by the CTCR, asking that
the results of this study be shared with the membership
of the Synod as soon as possible. The resolution was
adopted as presented.

Ethnic Concerns

Chairman Bryant Clancy of the Floor Committee on
Ethnic Concerns brought Res. 10-19A (TB 239) before
the convention, which adopted it. In doing so it resolved
that the Synod adopta goal of recruiting and educating
150 Black pastors in the next 10 years. It also
established a goal of at least $1,500,000 for the training
of future Black pastors, with the principal amount of
funds being retained and the interest used to aid Black
students in preparing for pastoral ministry. The fund is
to be administered by the Synod’s Board of Directors in
consultation with the Black Ministry Commission. The
Board of Stewardship, in consultation with the Black
Centennial Committee, which is to be continued until
the next convention, was authorized and empowered to
prepare and provide materials and counsel for this
fund-raising effort. The delegates also adopted Res. 10-
11 (TB 164), calling for a support of American Indian
concerns and asking for participation in and support of
all endeavors to effect reconciliation, understanding,
and cooperation between Indians and non-Indians in
the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. After striking the
second whereas, line 62 (TB 166), and changing the
word “renew” to “continue” in line 66 (TB 166), the
committee introduced Res. 10-16 (TB 166), asking the