# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S355
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

DEE /’a<SED OOP ETRE

352 SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS

opportunity for members and delegates of our Synod to dis-
cuss these items further either in committee session or be-
fore the convention; and

WHEREAS, Some members of our church are deeply con-
cerned that they were not given the Opportunity to discuss
the remarks or question various speakers: therefore be it

Resolved, That we express an invitation to our brethren
in other Lutheran churches to address our coming conven-
tions in New Orleans and other cities; and be it further

Resolved, That we ask these brethren not to address

Resolved, That we ask the brethren that if they desire to
address themselves to any matter then pending considera-
tion at our convention, that they subsequently make them-
selves available for committee hearings or for open hearings
or bring their remarks toward the end of the convention:

Resolved, That we thank these many brethren for their
attendance and Sreetings in years past.

St. Pauu’s Ev. Lurveran CHURCH
Gillett, Ark.

Alvin Lehmann, President

Ashel Gordon, Secretary

Frank Zirbel, Pastor

11-10
To Control Smoking

Wuereas, As Christians we look upon our lives as a sacred
trust, of which we are stewards responsible to God; and

WHEREAS, The Surgeon General of the United States in
studies on tobacco smoke and smoking has released findings
which makes the same detrimental to the health of the
smoker and nonsmoker who must inhale same because of the
prevalence of smoking; and

WHEREAS, The American College of Chest Physicians has

ggested that smokers be segregated or smoking banned
completely at all medical meetings to protect the rights of
nonsmokers, and that a no-smoking rule be followed in hos-
Pitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices: and

Wuereas, As brothers and sisters in Christ we should be
vitally concerned with the health of one another, including
as a part of our concern abstaining from that which may be
detrimental to others’ health: and

WHEREAS, Delegates to our conventions, conferences, ete,
are both nonsmokers and allergic to tobacco smoke which
can cause such problems as: exacerbating respiratory aller-
gies, retardation of fetal growth, premature birth, acute ir-
ritations, heart and lung problems: therefore be it

Resolved, That in this convention of the Synod, and in
future ones, we ask in love all smokers to abstain from
smoking in al] meeting rooms, sessions, snack places, ete.:
and be it further

Resolved, That a closed, well ventilated room be provided,
as necessary, for those who have the smoking habit so as to
Prevent pollution of the air that nonsmokers and those al-
lergic to smoke breathe in in the hallways, meeting rooms,
sleeping quarters, etc. while in attendance at a synodical
convention, and that we also ask all Districts and circuits

to do likewise, TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Enid, Okla.
Derald Brainard, Chairman
Craig Holsten, Secretary

11-11
To Expedite Communications During Sessions

WHEREAS, Announcements are frequently necessary dur-
ing the conduct of convention business in order to call com-
mittees into session, to notify delegates of matters of per-
sonal interest, or to keep the delegates as a whole informed
regarding slates and the specific points under discussion, etc.:
an

Wuereas, Such communications should not be allowed to
disrupt the deliberations of the assembly; therefore be it

Resolved, That a system be employed to project such in-
formation visually where all concerned may take note: and
be it finally

Resolved, That this system he controlled in such a man-

ner as to prevent its abuse. Hope LurHeran Cuurcu
San Leandro, Calif.
Caroline Uhlig, Secretary

11-12

To Increase the Usefulness of Pastoral
Characterizations

WHeREAS, The unity of doctrine and practice in our synod
has declined so that it is impossible to say of many modern
issues that “we unanimously believe, teach and confess” any
given position: and

screen out sophisticated rationalism so that it guarantees a
candidate’s theological position; and

Wuereas, This situation has developed despite the efforts
of elected officials to prevent it and will certainly not be
remedied by denying its existence, but is likely to result in
increasing “unity in diversity” metastasizing into parochial
discord; and

WHEREAS, Congregations have the same right to know
what their pastors will teach with respect to the issues of
1973 as they have regarding their stance on the issues of
1573: and

Wuereas, Alerted congregations are extremely sensitive
to the Bible-challenging views of theological moderates and
are determined to retain their doctrinal purity even if it
means separating from the Synod: and

WHEREAS, Certain unofficial agencies are already trying
to classify pastors according to their doctrinal stance; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That a system be devised for rating pastors on
a conservative-liberal scale by determining their position on
various doctrines and Practices; and be it further

Resolved, That the rating system be based on such docu-
ments as the Catechism of 1943, the Brief Statement; selected
synodical doctrinal resolutions, the 1972 Statement of Scrip-
tural and Confessional Principles. and on their stand on the
literal interpretation of selected Bible Passages; and be it
finally

Resolved, That Congregations with vacancies be allowed
to request such ratings as integral parts of the characterj-
zations of candidates for calls.

Our Savior LurHeran CHuRCH
Pinole, Calif,
Curtis Eattock, Secretary

11-13

To Devise Questionnaire

Whereas, The Lord of the church, through His inspired
prophet Jeremiah declares: “He who has My Word, let him
speak My Word faithfully... | I am against the prophets,
says the Lord, who cause My people to err by their lies”
(Jer, 23; 28-32) ; and

WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus Christ foretold that, before the
end of the world, many false prophets will arise, and will
mislead many (Matt. 24:11): and

WHEREAS, The inspired apostle John lovingly warns the
church: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spir-
its whether they are of God: because many false prophets
are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1); and

Wuereas, Every congregation of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod has the right to expect and to demand that
every called servant of the Word, whether he be a pastor or