# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S50 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 50 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION amendment which would have added a resolved stating “Resolved, That our seminaries both at Fort Wayne and St. Louis, be urged to make one quarter of clinical pastoral education mandatory to all candidates to the holy ministry; and be it finally Resolved, That all pastors of our Synod be urged to take a quarter of clinical pastoral education.” After adding the words “‘be encouraged to” by common consent after the word “congregation” in line 50 (7B 150), the delegates adopt- ed Res. 8-12 (7B 150), which encouraged congregations to avail themselves of the services of existing public and private agencies to alleviate the social conditions of poverty. The boards of social ministry of the Synod and Districts were asked to prepare materials and conduct workshops to assist pastors in congregational social ministry committees in locating resources which would help the poor in obtaining assistance. Following the adoption of this resolution Dr. Leslie Weber, executive secretary of the Board for Social Ministry and World Relief, informed the delegates that a container had been placed at the door for an offering to “skip a meal and save a life.” As its final resolution the Floor Committee on Social Ministry introduced Res. 8-13 (7B 151), which encouraged increased support for Social Ministry, a support which is especially needed as the support for social programs by the government is reduced. The committee was then dismissed with thanks. Higher Education Chairman Lloyd Behnken of the Floor Committee on Higher Education presented Res. 6-04A to the delegates once again. Discussion of the resolution, which would grant four-year status with baccalaureate degree grant- ing privileges to St. John’s College, Winfield, Kans., had been begun in a previous session. After further dis- cussion the resolution was adopted as presented and this status was granted to St. John’s College. Orders of the Day A resolution to extend the evening session until all business of the convention is completed was declined by the delegates. Elections Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec- tions announced the results of the latest balloting for officers and members of the boards of the Synod. The results are attached to these Minutes. After distributing another ballot and after voting was completed, ballot- ing was again declared closed. Constitutional Matters Chairman Paul Spitz of the Floor Committee on Administration introduced a resolution (Res. 5-20, TB 188) which would remove those holding dual member- ship from the roster of the Synod after Dec. 31, 1981. Extensions could be granted by the President of the District with the approval of the President of the Synod. In response to a question from the floor it was stated that about 50 pastors, 3 congregations, and 8 teachers would be affected by this resolution. After declining an amendment which would have limited the possible period of extension to six months, the delegates adopted the resolution as presented by the floor committee. In the introduction of Res. 5-08 (TB 103), which would classify “ministers” for the purposes of federal law, the floor committee called on attorney Phil Draheim to explain what was really involved in voting on this resolution. The major point was that for the purpose of federal law churches must deal with categories of “ministers” as defined by the churches. In order. to provide more time for a study of this resolution and for the church to determine how it would define “ministers” a resolution was adopted which stated “so that the Synod can continue under the status quo in this matter until the CTCR’s study of ministry is released to the church and the Synod can make an informed judgment in this matter, Resolved, That these resolutions be referred to the Board of Directors for study and report at the next convention of the Synod.” The delegates adopted this resolution, thus providing additional time for the study of the matter. Point of Order An objection was raised to parliamentary action which was followed in the convention. A delegate expressed his opinion that speakers were not being called in turn and that some delegates were relinquish- ing their positions to other delegates so that they might call for the question to terminate debate. The Chair pointed out that the delegates could express their will by declining to adopt such motions which were made. After .: the words “lay ministers” was inserted after the word # “as” in line 32, the words “‘or be colloquized” wereadded ¥ at the end of line 34, and the words “called or otherwise contracted” were substituted for the words “contracted or called” in line 36 the delegates adopted Res. 5-09 (TB 104), recognizing special ministries within the church. Elections Floor committee chairman Simon in making his final report to the delegates thanked Marie Biesenthal, Arlo Otto, and the pages for their assistance in carrying out the election efficiently. Since S. T. Williams had failed to be elected to the Board for Youth Services b only a few votes and since a number of ballots had been declared invalid because of improper voting, the dele- gates agreed by convention action to validate his election to the board. Orders of the Day The orders of the day were announced for the evening session. A resolution calling for an alteration in the orders of the day to begin the evening session at 7:30: p.m. was declined. Closing Devotions Closing devotions were conducted by Roger Leenerts, executive secretary of the Board for North American ; Missions.