# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S32 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 32 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION Special Resolution The delegates adopted a special resolution proposed from the floor that “we publicly thank Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, for his humor, patience, wit, knowledge, and plain old-fashioned hard work, without which the convention would surely have been far less productive.” Greetings and Report _ Dr. John Houck, general secretary of the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A., was introduced to the delegates. In his report he indicated the various areas in which the Lutheran bodies had cooperated in carrying out min- istries which were of interest and concern to all mem- bers. In his report he referred to concerns about the new legalism which is afoot in our land and the necessity for a heightened Lutheran response to this challenge of the 20th century. His report concluded by suggesting that as Lutherans we have a theological background that enables us to contribute significantly to the multi- faceted, interfaith task. “The task,” he said, “requires all of us—even all of us Lutherans.” Minutes The Minutes for Sesssions 1 and 2 of the convention (TB 219—222, 247—249) were presented to the delegates for adoption. Prior to adoption it was pointed out thatin line 45 (TB 247) the words “by District meetings in 1983 and” should be stricken and in line 26 (7B 249) the word “Res. 2-06” should have been “Res. 2-05.’ The Minutes were then adopted as amended. Elections The Floor Committee on Elections reported on the results of the third ballot for First Vice-President of the Synod. It was reported that 1,007 votes had been cast with 504 needed to elect. The results of the balloting were as follows: Maier—33, Mueller—426, Sauer—548. Dr. Robert Sauer was thus declared elected as First Vice-President of the Synod. Following the announce- ment, he addressed the delegates briefly, thanking them for their confidence and assuring them of his continued efforts to serve the Synod to the best of his ability. The Floor Committee on Elections then announced that a write-in ballot was being prepared for the remain- ing Vice-Presidential positions and would be distributed shortly. Task Force Beginning its presentation at this session the Floor Committee on Task Force introduced Res. 2-04A. This resolution had been prepared as a result of a request of the convention. A specially printed report was distrib- uted to the delegates. During the distribution a motion for referral of Res. 2-05 (TB 47) was entertained. On a point of order the Chair ruled that the action presenting the proposal for referral was legitimate and would be dealt with following the hearing of Res. 2-04A. The Chair was sustained in ruling that Res. 2-04A should be heard before ruling on the legitimacy of the motion for referral of Res. 2-05. An amendment was introduced asking that the Board of Stewardship be retained as a separate board. The amendment, however, was declined as was a motion asking for the extension of time for Committee 2 4 to complete action on Res. 2-04A. BS Higher Education Chairman Lloyd Behnken of the Floor Committee on Higher Education began the work of the committee, pointing to the tremendous blessings which God has given to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod through its system of colleges and seminaries. Res. 6- 10A (TB 239) was then introduced calling for the establishment of terms of office of college and seminary presidents. The establishment of such terms would have required a change in the Bylaws of the Handbook of the Synod. The delegates, however, declined the proposal, retaining the practice of an unlimited term of office for these executives. Res. 6-11 (7B 118) was next considered, calling for the extension of the term of service for college and seminary presidents to a maximum age of 70. Before introducing the resolution the committee had changed the words in line 56 which stated “any time after the end of the school year” to “the end of any term of office after.” During the discussion it became ap- parent that this change was no longer appropriate since Res. 6-10A (7B 239) had not been adopted. Action on this resolution was delayed until a legal opinion could be secured. After considering several other resolutions, a legal opinion was secured, recommending the retention of the original wording. Res. 6-11 (TB 118) was then adopted as originally printed. In order to permit some latitude for granting tenure to faculty members who had not completed five full years of creditable service as a member of the faculty of one or more of the educational institutions of the Synod the delegates adopted Res. 6-12 (TB 119), calling for a change in Bylaw 6.54 a, 1 of the Handbook of the Synod. They also revised Handbook regulations relating to the provisions for retirement of faculty members in order to bring them into conformity with federal law. (Res. 6- 13A, TB 240). PP ree Ae ee Elections Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec tions explained the procedures of balloting for the ; remaining vice-presidential positions. Following th explanation, forms for balloting were distributed, and after delegates had made their written nominations, th forms were gathered and nominations for the remaining vice-presidential positions were declared closed. Presentation Dr. Ralph Reinke, president of Concordia Publishing House, addressed the delegates, describing what had occurred since a directive of the 1962 convention of the Synod instructed Concordia Publishing House to assem™- ble the writings of its first President, C. F. W. Walther: