# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S349 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 346 SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS USAR; Secretary: Rev. Maynard F. Pollex, former Ch, CPT, Canadian Army: Rev. Howard A. Foard: Professor Edwin W. Leverenz, Ph. D., Ch, (LTC), USA (Ret); Rev. Delvin E. Ressel, Ch, Col, USAF (Ret); and CAPT Robert M. Strieter, USN (Ret). Staff Rev. Milton S. Ernstmeyer, CAPT, CHC, USN (Ret) assumed the duties of Executive Secretary on 1 May 1972, PRESENT WORDING B. ARMED FORCES COMMISSION 15.21 Personnel and Appointment of Commission An Armed Forces Commission consisting of five pastors and two laymen shall be appointed by the President of the Synod after consultation with the Vice-Presidents. As emergencies arise, the person- nel of this commission may be increased. 15.23 General Duties The commission shall — a. provide a ministry for all of the Synod’s mili- tary personnel; b. function as a_ liaison agency between the chiefs of the armed forces and Veterans Administra- tion and the chaplains representing the Synod; ce. endeavor to keep the Synod well represented in all branches of the armed forces by soliciting and processing applications for appointments as chap- lains in the armed forces, Reserve Corps, and Vet- erans Administration: d. maintain an executive office and appoint an Executive Secretary if and when necessary, subject to the approval of the President of the Synod; e. work in close cooperation with synodical and District officials and Sive information to them con- cerning the service maintained by the commission; 15.25 Chaplains The commission shal] — a. solicit and process applications for appoint- ments as military chaplains and request the Presi- dent of the District in which the chaplain resides to issue the order for the ordination and commis- sioning or commissioning of such chaplains; b. give counsel to chaplains; ¢. insist on regular reports to the commission from chaplains on active duty; d. withdraw ecclesiastical endorsement from chaplains who depart from the accepted Scrip- tural teachings and practices of the Synod or per- sist in an ungodly life or whose withdrawal is demanded for the good of the armed forces; e. provide financial support for a reasonable length of time for chaplains who have been hon- orably discharged from the armed forces; f. provide chaplains with appropriate literature. Mr. W. Herbert Krieger, the Vice-Chairman of the Armed Forces Commission became the coordinator and consultant for the Ministry-by-Mail program move to St.Louis on 15 January 1973, and will continue in this position until a program director for the Ministry-by-Mail can be ap- pointed. Bylaws The Commission proposes the following Bylaw revisions: PROPOSED WORDING B. ARMED FORCES COMMISSION 15.21 Personnel and Appointment of Commission An Armed Forces Commission consisting of five pastors and two laymen shall be appointed by the President of the Synod after consultation with the Vice-Presidents. As emergencies arise, the person- nel of this commission may be increased, 15.23 General Duties The commission shal] — a. provide a ministry for all of the Synod’s mili- tary personnel; dependents of military personnel overseas; civilians and their dependents overseas at or near military installations; and patients in Veterans Hospitals; b. function as a_ liaison agency between the chiefs of the Armed Forces and Veterans Adminis- tration and the chaplains representing the Synod; ¢. endeavor to keep the Synod well represented in all branches of the Armed Forces by soliciting and processing applications and granting ecclesiasti- cal endorsements for appointments as chaplains in the Armed Forces and Veterans Administration; d. maintain an executive office and appoint an Executive Secretary with the approval of the Pres- ident of the Synod; e. serve as a repository for all records of pastoral acts performed by chaplains or pastors serving mili- tary personnel; f. work in close cooperation with synodical and District officials and give information to them con- cerning the service maintained by the commission; §. advise and report to the Synod on matters pertaining to military and veterans affairs. 15.25 Military and Veterans Administration Chaplains The commission shall — a. Solicit and process applications and grant ec- clesiastical approval for seminary students in the chaplaincy program; b. solicit and process applications and grant ecclesiastical endorsements for appointments for chaplains in the Air Force, Army, Navy, National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Veterans Administra- tion; c. initiate calls for active duty and request the President of the District in which the chaplain re- sides to authorize the installation of such chaplains; d. give counsel to chaplains; e. require regular reports to the commission; f. provide chaplains with appropriate devotional literature and materials; g. withdraw ecclesiastical endorsement from chaplains who depart from the accepted Scriptural teachings and practices of the Synod;