# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S28
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

28 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Maier, Jr., Charles Mueller, Robert Sauer, and Paul
Zimmerman. A motion was made and adopted to add
the name of Dr. Joseph Lavalais to the slate of candi-
dates for First Vice-President of the Synod, since the
Bylaw requirements had been met. Following this
action the delegates adopted the ballot for First Vice-
President as amended.

’ Recognition

A point of privilege was granted asking the delegates
‘to join in the singing of “Happy Birthday” to Mrs.
Bohlmann, whois celebrating her birthday on this day.
The delegates were happy to join in doing so.

Theology and Church Relations

Continuing the discussion of Res. 3-01 the delegates
agreed to cease debate but declined to vote on the issue
by means of a written ballot. A division of the house
showed that 590 favored the resolution to declare that
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is not in fellow-
ship with The American Lutheran Church while 494
were opposed to this action.

Point of Information

A letter from Dr. Gerhardt Hyatt declining a position
on the ballot for First Vice-President was read to the
delegates. In the letter he indicated that he would be
willing to serve in a part-time capacity but not in a
full-time position. Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the
Synod, reported Dr. Guido Merkens had also indicated
his willingness to serve in a part-time position.

Point of Privilege

Having been granted a point of privilege, a delegate
introduced a motion to reconsider the action relating to
the adoption of Res. 3-01 in view of the close vote on the
issue. At this point there was a call for the orders of the
day. An effort to overturn the call for the orders of the
day failed to receive a two-thirds majority required for
this action.

A further motion was made to reconsider Res. 2-01 to
provide for a five-year initial term. Chairman Happel of
Floor Committee 2 stated that it was the feeling of the
committee that it would be unfair to reconsider this
action since all candidates knew the circumstances
under which the elections were being held. The Chair
ruled that this motion could be introduced at a later
time.

Task Force

In introducing Res. 2-25 (TB 185) the floor committee
asked the delegates in the first resolved to consider the
adoption of proposed Bylaw 6.01 (CW 116—117). The
section contained a proposal from the Task Force which
defined and standardized membership on the Boards of
Regents of colleges and seminaries. After brief dis-
cussion this section of the report on Task Force was
adopted.

The convention next began consideration of the
entire Res. 2-25 (TB 185), which outlined the procedure

for implementing the election of Boards of Regents
which would meet the requirements of Section 6.01 (CW
116—117), which had just been adopted.

Closing Devotions

Closing devotions for the third session of the 54th
regular convention of the Synod were conducted by Dr.
Samuel Nafzger, executive secretary of the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations.

Session 4

July 6, Morning
Opening Devotions

Dr. August Suelflow continuing his devotions asked
the delegates to join in the singing of the hymn “Built on
the Rock.” In his devotions he emphasized the impor-
tance of partner churches beginning with the first
partner church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, which was the Chippewa Indian Mission in
Michigan. He went on to point out the importance of the
Leipzig Mission Society, which developed overseas
missions. The devotion was closed with a prayer and
hymn.

Elections

Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-
tions explained the process involved in voting for the
First Vice-President of the Synod. Following this,
ballots were distributed with balloting declared closed
after all ballots had been gathered.

Orders of the Day

Dr. Preus stated that there would be a change in the
orders of the day with the Task Force Committee
appearing at 11:30 and the Nominating Committee at
12:00 noon.

Missions

Chairman Oswald of the Floor Committee on Mis-
sions introduced Florence Montz of the Council for
Christian Medical Work. She spoke to the delegates,
thanking Dr. Preus for his support of this work. In her
remarks she stated that we can be physically healthy
but we cannot be whole without Christ. Health and
healing and forgiveness begin and end with Jesus.

Harold Hein, a missionary to Nigeria for 12 years
and a member of the Floor Committee on Missions,
introduced Res. 1-01 (7B 37) calling for the approval of a
program developed by the Board for Missions which
would permit congregations to establish a more person-
al relationship with missionaries and their work
through prayer, communication, and financial support.
The resolution also called for congregations to be aware
of the fact that such personalization of missionary
support would be over and above the annual financial
support for the District and the Synod. During the
discussion of the resolution Dr. Edward Westcott, exec-
utive secretary of the Board for Missions, explained the
plan which had been developed prior to the presently