# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S35
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 35

Higher Education, Colloquy, and Lay
Ministers)

Reconsideration

A request was made for reconsideration of Res. 2-05
(TB 47). Since notice for intent to introduce a motion for
reconsideration had not been received in time, a motion
was made to suspend the rules governing this situation.
The delegates agreed to suspend therrules and then also
agreed to reconsider Res. 2-05. After a short period of
discussion Res. 2-05 (TB 47) was adopted by the conven-
tion, constituting two appointed support services
boards, the Board for Communication Services, and the
Board for Social Ministry Services.

Res. 2-08A which had also been specially printed and
distributed to the delegates was next considered and
adopted. The resolution provided for a procedure for
filling positions during the transition period between
the present structure and new structure of boards and
the length of service of those elected. The resolution
which was adopted is as follows:

Resolved, That the following Task Force I recom-
mendation in Section B be adopted, as amended:

5. That positions on the various elected and appointed
boards and commissions listed in this section B be filled in
the following manner:

a. Board for Parish Services—
Elected in 1981 for five years: twoclergy, one teacher,
two laypersons
Carried over from present board of Parish Education:
one pastor, two teachers, one layperson

b. Board for Evangelism Services—
Elected in 1981 for five years: one clergy, one teacher,
two laypersons
Elected in 1981 for two years: oneclergy, one teacher,
one layperson
Carried over from present board: one clergy, one
layperson

c. Board for Youth Services—
Elected in 1981 for five years: one college representa-
tive, one teacher, one layperson
Elected in 1981 for two years: 4 youth
Carried over from present board: one pastor, one
layperson

d. Board for Mission Services—
Elected in 1981 for five years: two clergy, one lay-
person
Elected in 1981 for two years: one clergy

e. Board for Professional Education Services—
Elected in 1981 for five years: one clergy, one teacher,
two laypersons
Elected in 1981 for two years: one clergy, one teacher

-f. All appointments to appointed boards and com-
missions shall terminate at the end of December 1983,
unless otherwise stipulated in the Bylaws.

g. For those persons serving at present on continuing
commissions the current limited tenure rules shall
apply; for persons newly appointed and not serving a
previous term the new limited tenure rules shall apply.

h. Terms of office shall be restricted to six years at the
longest and no boards or commissions shall any.
longer be exempt from the limited tenure regulations.

i. Any questionable instances regarding length of terms
or limited tenure shall be referred for decision to the
Commission on Constitutional Matters, which shall

adhere as closely as possible to the patterns set forth
above.

Essay

Continuing the Bible study relating to stewardship,
Dr. Guido Merkens, Second Vice-President of the Synod,
led the discussion of relevant passages relating to the
concept of gifts which the Holy Spirit has given to
individuals in the church. Dr. Merkens was replacing
Dr. Henry Eggold, who had originally been scheduled to
carry out this assignment but who was not able to
because of illness.

Recognition

Prior to presenting their leaders, Dr. Preus spoke of
the important work which is carried out by auxiliary
organizations of the Synod. He pointed out that one of
the greatest pleasures of his presidency was the oppor-
tunity to propose a new youth organization which has
now come into being.

Donald Brosz, president of the International Luther-
an Laymen’s League, was introduced to the convention.
He brought greetings from that organization to all who
were present and said that it was impossible to recount
everything that has happened in the ILLL for which we
should give praise to the Lord. He pointed out that he
could refer to “The Lutheran Hour” or the Lutheran
Television Ministry or to expanding Hispanic ministry.
The cost of the programs of the ILLL is now over $10
million. Nevertheless, he pointed out that much work
still needs to be done. The LCMS has the tools to spread
the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ, the power to
pass it on. He reminded the delegates of the inter-
national convention of the ILLL which will be held in
Dearborn, Mich., under the theme, “I chose you.”

Mrs. Helen Gienapp, chairman of the Lutheran
Women’s Missionary League, referred briefly to some of
the things which had happened at the recent convention
of the LWML in Milwaukee. She said that the presence
of the Holy Spirit was very obvious as women who were
gathered there worshiped together. Among those things
to which she made reference is the program of the
LWML which is known as the “Mustard Seed” program
and the new material which has just been made avail-
able. She reminded the delegates that the LWML is a
mission organization concerned with Mission outreach
and service. While 75 percent of the funds gathered
through the mite box offerings remains in the Districts,
25 percent has been gathered in the national level and
will be used to support 10 different projects of all kinds
which were chosen at the convention in Milwaukee. She
ended her remarks by expressing thanks to the pastors
and their congregations for the support of the LWML.

Richard Bimler, executive secretary of the Board for
Youth Ministry, briefly addressed the convention, ex-
pressing his joy at the response to the Lutheran Youth
Fellowship. He pointed out that this group is not an
auxiliary organization, but a group of young people
within the Synod and is only one part of the total youth
ministry. He introduced Terry Dittmer of the staff of the