# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S151
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 151

PROPOSED WORDING

7.23 Membership

The Board of Parish Education shall consist of
three parish pastors, three teachers, and three
laymen elected by the Synod, plus a representative
from each of the seminaries and each of the teachers
colleges appointed by the President of the Synod
after consultation with the Board of Parish Educa-
tion, to ascertain the needs of the board, and with the
presidents of the respective seminaries and colleges,
to find people to fill these needs.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Refer Questions Concerning
Status and Guidelines
for Auxiliary Organizations

RESOLUTION 4-24
Overtures 4-76—4-79 (CW, pp. 165—166)

WHEREAS, Recognition of auxiliary status is being
sought for the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ and for
the Lutheran Rangers and Rangerettes; and

WHEREAS, Definitive guidelines for determination of
auxiliary status within The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod structure are nonexistent in the
Handbook; and

WHEREAS, Such guidelines for determination of
auxiliary status are necessary both for the Synod and
for the organization seeking auxiliary status; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the question of auxiliary status and
guidelines be referred to the Task Force on Constitu-
tion, Bylaws, and Structure for further study and
recommendations.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Advise Against Certain Revisions
of Congregational Constitutions

RESOLUTION 4-25
Overture 4-82 (CW, p. 167)

WHEREAS, Certain groups are suggesting or
recommending changes to congregational con-
stitutions that will have the effect of altering the
disposition of property in the event of a division of the
congregation; and

WHEREAS, Article II of the Synod’s Constitution,
with a similar article in congregational constitutions,
indicates the confessional basis for membership in the
Synod and District; and

WHEREAS, Constitutional changes can have the
effect of altering the confessional subscription of a
congregation; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations take note of the
possibility that, should division of the congregation
occur, such changes may allow congregational proper-
ty to accrue to groups not remaining in the Synod; and
be it further

Resolved, That congregations be advised to include
and/or restore a clause such as the following: “should a
separation on account of doctrine take place—which
may God graciously prevent—the property of the
congregation shall belong to those members who
steadfastly and unreservedly adhere to the declaration
of creed contained in Article No. (article on
doctrine) of this constitution”; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to seek
appropriate legal advice regarding property rights in
the event of division.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Give Orientation
in Social Ministry

RESOLUTION 4-26
Overture 4-80 (CW, p. 166)

WHEREAS, Social ministry is being increasingly
recognized as a valid and vital part of our Christian
mission and in need of encouragement; therefore be it

Resolved, That planners of District orientation
sessions be urged to include social ministry in their
agendas; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief provide orientation for graduating
students at the Synod’s terminal schools.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Encourage Guidance Counseling
RESOLUTION 4-27
Overture 4-66 (CW, pp. 162—163)

WHEREAS, The church recognizes the wisdom of
guidance counseling; and

WHEREAS, The seminaries do have programs of
guidance counseling; and

WHEREAS, Our Districts do have a wealth of human
resources which can be called upon to assist in
guidance needs; and

WHEREAS, The cost to the Synod of providing
additional guidance counselors on an employed basis is
prohibitive; therefore be it

Resolved, That the church encourage her in-
stitutions and Districts to continue drawing from
existing human resources to provide guidance counsel-
ing; and be it finally

Resolved, That Overture 4-66 be respectfully de-
clined.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Refer Concerns to the
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

RESOLUTION 4-28
Overture 4-75 (CW, p. 165)
Resolved, That the congregation submitting Over-