# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S128
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

128 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That the blue-ribbon committe present
its report and recommendations to the next regular
synodical convention.

Action: Adopted (15).

(Committee 3 presented Res. 3-04 in Session 8, with the
announcement that “theological review” in the third resolve
had been changed to “review.” The delegates adopted a fourth
option for the third resolve: ‘continue using the present The
Lutheran Hymnal.” By a standing vote of 548 to 501 they
declined to consider a substitute motion to receive the new
publication “as one of the resources for worship available to
the congregations, subject to successful completion of the
doctrinal review process.” The delegates also declined to
provide that “three lay members” instead of “two members”
be appointed to the blue-ribbon committee by the President.
Athought the convention agreed to terminate debate, it
decided to reconsider and then resolved to continue discussion.
Finally the convention resolved to recommit the entire matter
to the floor committee.

In Session 13 the floor committee presented Res. 3-04A.
This version differed from Res. 3-04 in the following:

1. The amendment regarding a fourth option was deleated.
2. “A synodical Vice-President” was substituted for ‘“‘the
synodical First Vice-President” in the second resolve.

3. The addition of the 5th, 6th, and 7th resolves given

above.

The delegates declined to consider a lengthy substitute
motion. When another substitute motion was offered, the
committee stated that the proposed substitute had been
declared unconstitutional. The substitute asked the conven-
tion to authorize CPH to proceed with the publication and that
official endorsement be taken up at the next convention. Time
for discussion ran out.

In Session 14, at the request of the chair, Secretary
Mueller, speaking for the Commission on Constitutional
Matters, explained that one of the functions of the commission
was to assist the convention and its floor committees in
making certain that proposed resolutions met in both
language and substance the requirements of the Constitution
and Bylaws. Within the committee a substitute resolution had
been developed which the committee presented for evaluation
to the CCM, which in turn had indicated that it would not be
acceptable f[e.g., the new Bylaw would not permit the
convention to delegate power to authorize to any other group].

PRESENT WORDING

11.113 Functions and Duties

a. The commission shall be responsible for
preparing, revising, and making available official
service books and hymnals of the Synod.

b. The commission shall—

1. make literature available to members of the
Synod, to develop and deepen an understanding and
love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship
and for the various media of expression needed for
our worship;

2. clear all literature related to corporate Chris-
tian worship in liturgics and hymnology made
available through the Synod’s boards or through
Concordia Publishing House;

3. recommend worship materials to the church
and advise and warn against the use of worship
materials which are unworthy of use in the Christian
worship of the Lutheran Church;

4. represent the Synod in preparation of service
books and hymnals in which the Synod may engage
in cooperation with other synods;

The commission pointed out that the other substitute motion
which had been presented from the floor differed considerably
from the previous substitute and could be made acceptable for
consideration if the mover would consent to several changes.
Such consent was granted. The convention then resolved to
consider the substitute and instructed the floor committee to
have it printed for distribution.

In Session 15, then, the convention had before it a
substitute resolution which would substitute for the latter part
of Res. 3-04A, following the word “sources” in the first
paragraph of the third resolve, the following:

Resolved, That this committee be responsible for conduc.
ting a thorough review of the final ILCW draft of the Lutheran
Book of Worship asit has been reviewed by the doctrinal review
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 substitute resolution
was declined. After still further discussion of Res. 3-04A
debate was terminated and the resolution adopted as
presented.)

To Amend Bylaws for Approval
of Synodical Books of Worship

RESOLUTION 3-05A
Report 3-01, I, B, 9 (CW, pp. 39—40)

Resolved, That the principle be affirmed by the
Synod that a matter of such magnitude for the life of
the Synod as the reception of a new hymnal receive
final approval by the Synod in convention; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Bylaws of the Synod be amended
as follows:

PROPOSED WORDING
11.113 Functions and Duties

The commission shall—
a. (same as 1)

b. (same as 2)

c. (same as 3)

d. (same as 4)