# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 44 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION a decision on Res. 6-08A (7B 248) when this matter once again came before the house. Recognition Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, pre- sented Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rauscher to the delegates. Mr. Rauscher, Controller of the Synod, has served the Synod since September 2, 1952, and has announced his inten- tion to retire to the Board of Directors of the Synod. The convention joined Dr. Mueller in wishing God’s blessings to Mr. and Mrs. Rauscher in their retirement. Closing The convention session closed with the devotion led by Dr. Arnold Kuntz, President of the Southern California District. Session 14 July 11, Morning Opening After President Preus had declared this session open in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the delegates were led in a devotion by the Rev. Wilbert Griesse, President of the Mid-South District. In his re- marks he stressed that Jesus Christ is not only Lord but Savior. Point of Privilege Speaking on a point of privilege, a delegate addressed the convention, asking that the members proceed with the business of the convention in an orderly and evangel- ical way. Convention Format Review Dr. Herman Scherer, speaking for the Convention Format Review Committee, introduced Res. 14-01 (TB 310), which called for a change in the Bylaws of the Synod relating to the preconvention procedure and calen- dar. After several attempts to correct the proposed word- ing in lines 60—64 of page 310 (Bylaw 1.27 f), the following wording was approved by common consent: “If the President deems it advisable, he may convene any committees prior to the opening of the convention.” The words “following which meeting to be held at least 6 weeks before the opening of the convention” were deleted from the paragraph. By common consent the delegates also changed the time of 8 weeks to 7 weeks in line 3 of page 311 (Bylaw 1.27 g). The resolution was then adopted as amended (Res. 14-01, TB 310). After inserting the words “and further implemented” between the words “incorporated” and “into” (line 47, TB 311) by common consent, the delegates called for utilization of the new convention format at the 1977 and subsequent conven- tions of the Synod, with particular emphasis on the small-group format. Progress Report The chairman, Dr. Preus, reported that of the 268 resolutions presented for action, 155 still remained to be considered. Convention Format Review Dr. Scherer then introduced the final resolution from the Convention Format Committee, which asked that the Convention Format Review Committee meeting at the 1975 convention be included in an ad hoc committee reporting to the 1977 convention of the Synod on conven- tion format and procedures. Resolution 14-03 (TB 312) was then adopted after inserting the word “evangelistic” in line 25 (TB 312) between the words “fellowship” and “and.” Standing Rules Responding to a suggestion from Mr. Robert Hirsch, the convention adopted a resolution stating that “the standing rules of the present convention shall serve as the temporary rules for the 1977 convention.” Missions Chairman Richard Schlecht, chairman of the floor committee on Missions, introduced Res. 2-09A (TB 238), which directed the Board for Missions in consultation with the black clergy caucus of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod to appoint a task force of lay persons and clergy with competent staff personnel to explore models of ministry and mission outreach which would be more effective, efficient, and adaptable in and to the black community. They also directed that funds be made avail- able by the Board of Directors for this study. Resolution 2-09A (TB 238) was adopted as a substitute for Res. 2-09 (TB 37). The convention called for synodical and District Church Extension Funds to coordinate their efforts (Res. 2-15, TB 40). After declining to add the words “with specific emphasis on inner-city ministries” after the word “Synod” in the resolved, the delegates adopted Res. 2-16 (TB 40), which encouraged the Church Extension Board to operate uniformly throughout the Districts of the Synod. The Church Extension Departments of the Synod and the Districts were urged to seek state licensing and/or certification for their Church Extension Depart- ments (Res. 2-17, TB 40). The delegates then adopted Res. 2-18 (TB 41), urging the Church Extension Board to generate capital for its service-charge loan fund after being informed that this action would make it possible to offer small-interest loans to inner-city congregations and to ethnic groups. Resolution 2-19 (TB 41), asking for deferral of the request to use Church Extension funds to meet the budget of the Synod, was withdrawn after the convention was informed that the Commission on Consti- tutional Matters had ruled that the earnings of the Fund must revert back to it. As a result of this ruling, the resolution was declared out of order. After declining to change the word “a” to the words “the present” in line 3 of Res. 2-10A (TB 239), the delegates agreed with the floor committee in declining to recommend Handbook changes regarding Medical Missions. In response to a question from the floor, it was stated that the intention of the committee was that this in no way meant that the present workable program could not be continued. This intention was to be recorded in the minutes.