# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S36 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 36 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION Board for Youth Ministry who in turn introduced the executive officers of Lutheran Youth Fellowship. In 1979 the first LYF group became affiliated and now consists of over 3,200 affiliated groups. After the conven- tion had been addressed by each of the members of the executive staff, Dr. Preus was made an honorary Luther- an youth. Elections Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec- tions distributed ballots for the election of the remaining Vice-Presidential positions. After the delegates had voted and ballots had been gathered, the balloting was declared closed. Point of Order A delegate asked for a reconsideration of Res. 2-25, indicating that he had given notice that he would be requesting this reconsideration. He was informed that the motion for reconsideration could be made at a later time. Point of Privilege Upon being granted a point of privilege, a delegate introduced a resolution relating to the acceptance of guidelines which are to govern the Synod since fellow- ship between The American Lutheran Church and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been rescinded. The Chairman pointed out that it would be appropriate to offer this resolution at the time when Committee 3 appears once again before the convention. Parish Services The convention resolved to do more to meet the needs of persons who are mentally retarded (TB 137, Res. 7- 01), to support Lutheran Youth Fellowship and other parish youth ministries (TB 138, Res. 7-04), to support and expand the 1983 youth gathering (TB 139, Res. 7-05) and to involve youth more in decision-making processes (TB 1339, Res. 7-06). After adding to the final resolved the words, “which present the Law and the Gospel to meet specific needs in areas such as abortion, the draft, drug and alcohol abuse, and premarital sex,” the convention adopted Res. 7-07 (TB 139), which reaffirmed youth ministry as the emphasis for the 1983 convention. After striking the words “either Luther’s Small Catechism in contemporary English or” the convention resolved to use only the 1943 edition of Luther’s Small Catechism (TB 138, Res. 7-03). Devotions Dr. Victor Constien, secretary of the Board of Parish Education, led the closing devotions. Session 7 July 7, Afternoon Opening Devotion Dr. August Suelflow continued his series of opening devotions by asking the delegates to join in the singing of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Choosing asection @ from the Epistle to the Hebrews, he cited three important : passages: (1) “Remember your leaders whospoketoyou 4 the Word of life.” (2) “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, 4 today, and forever.” (3) “Do not be carried about by various and strange doctrines.’ He then characterized each of the Presidents of the Synod, describing the way in which they had used their various talents in the leadership of the Synod. The devotion was closed with prayer and with the singing of stanza 3 of the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God.” Elections Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-. tions reported on the elections for the remaining Vice-: Presidential positions of the Synod. He reported that. 1,030 votes had been cast with 516 needed for electio The results of the vote were as follows: Mueller—50 Maier—503, Merkens—629, Lavalais—642, Hyatt—57 Zimmerman—239, Wollenburg—317, Bernthal—27 Scharlemann—83, Hoffmann—210, Sohns—33, Wes cott—91. As a result of the balloting, Dr. Josep Lavalais, Dr. Guido Merkens, and Dr. Gerhardt Hya were declared to be the Second, Third, and Fourth Vic Presidents of the Synod, respectively. Chairman Simo then announced that a runoff election would be held’ between Walter A. Maier, Jr., and Charles Mueller for§ the position of Fifth Vice-President of the Synod. Afterg the ballots had been distributed, voting had taken place¥ and the ballots gathered once again, the election wa declared closed. Minutes The Minutes for Sessions 3 and 4 were adopted by thi delegates after several corrections were made by th Convention Secretary. On line 68 (7B 264) the num 1,100 was changed to 1,110. In lines 32—34 (TB 264) th words “and one request which had been legitimate! made was withdrawn by means of a written notice were added after the word “time.” In line 6 (TB 266) th] words “next began consideration of the entire” w replaced with the words “then adopted.” Constitutional Matters Chairman Spitz of the Floor Committee on Cons! tional Matters introduced Res. 5-21 (TB 259), w called for the acceptance of Good Shepherd Luthel Church, Erie, Kans., Kansas District, into the Syn This resolution was adopted. The delegates also adop, Res. 5-02A (7B 259), thereby referring the membersy application of Messiah Lutheran Church, Pittsht Kans., back to the District for presentation Kansas District Commission on Adjudication for? and recommendations. The convention adopted Re: 07 (TB 102), providing guidelines for new corporal related to the Synod and affirmed the right of the 0 District to incorporate its Church Extension through the adoption of Res. 5-06A (TB 187). Amotion calling for the reintroduction of the co ation of the membership of Beautiful Savior Luth@