# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S99 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) RESOLUTIONS 99 open, honest, fair and evangelical, so that the Synod and all associated with it may carry out together the task our Lord Jesus Christ has assigned to His church on earth, to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to observe all things He has commanded us; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod, by the mercies of God, beseech all within its membership who have taken excep- tion to actions of the Synod to follow our mutually adopted procedures for expressing their dissent, and at the same time honor our agreement to walk and work together in loving expression of our fellowship in Jesus Christ. Action: Adopted (9). (In introducing this resolution the committee made several editorial changes as indicated in the Minutes. A motion to re- turn to the two minute rule was declined as well as an amend- ment to include Balance, Inc., in those statements referring to ELIM as a divisive influence. Both Pres. J. A. O. Preus and Dr. C. Thos. Spitz were given a special opportunity to speak. Their comments are summarized in the Minutes. During the debate it was stated that those who agreed with the ELIM point of view would gather on the parking lot after action on this resolution had been taken. A motion to table the matter was declined. Before voting on the resolution the delegates were asked to join in silent prayer. The resolution was then adopted by a standing vote of 601 to 473. Debora Hage asked that a point of order be recorded in the Minutes. Following the singing of two stanzas of “I Walk in Danger All the Way,” the chairman declared a 15- minute recess.) To Utilize Women’s Gifts RESOLUTION 3-07 Report 3-01, IV, A, App. 3-01 I (CW, pp. 46, 57—63) Wuereas, The Task Force on Women has served the Synod faithfully; and Wuereas, The Task Force on Women has through careful investigation brought to the attention of the Synod through a report many valuable insights; there- fore be it Resolved, That the convention rejoice that progress is being made in utilizing more fully the gifts of women in Christian witness, service, education, and contributions to policy making; and be it further Resolved, That the convention encourage all congre- gations, Districts, and synodwide departments and agen- cies to examine their existing structures and procedures and to develop plans to make any necessary changes in: a. personnel practices (hiring, promotion, salarying, etc.), to conform with the Synod’s personnel policies; b. systems of nominating, electing, and appointing men and women to decision-making bodies, and methods of recruiting and selecting persons for full-time staff positions; c. images and role models of men and women por- trayed in church curricula, publications, and actual styles of operation; d. language used in worship materials; and be it finally Resolved, That all the people of God use all opportuni- ties to put the gifts of the Spirit to work in their daily lives, in the church, and in witness and service to others in the world. Action: Adopted (10). To Commend Task Force on Women RESOLUTION 3-08 Report 3-01, IV, A, App. 3-01 I; Overtures 3-141, 3- 146A, B (CW, pp. 46, 57—63, 106—107) Wuereas, The President of the Synod appointed a Task Force on Women at the direction of the 1973 convention; and Wuereas, The Task Force on Women has done valu- able work in indicating those areas where the Synod, its congregations, and its agencies have not fully utilized the many talents God has given to women and have not adequately recognized the many services that they are already performing for the church; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod express its appreciation to the Task Force for its valuable accomplishments through its study of the role of women in the LCMS in sensitizing the church to the need for increased participation by women in the life of the church; and be it further Resolved, That the Task Force be continued for two years of further study and report to the 1977 convention. Action: Adopted as amended (10). (The convention substituted the above second resolved for the resolved presented by the committee, which would have assigned further study to the standing Social Concerns Commit- tee of the CTCR.) To Decline Division of the Synod RESOLUTION 3-09 Overtures 3-41, 3-42A, 3-42B, 3-43, 3-44 (CW, pp. 74— 76) Wuereas, Overture 3-43 alleges that the adoption of “A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles” has, in effect, added to the confessional standard of the Synod; and Wuereas, Overture 3-43 calls for a division of the Synod on the basis of this allegation; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod declare that the adoption of “A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles” does not add to or alter the confessional base of the Synod as expressed in Article I] of its Constitution, and be it further Resolved, That we continue to trust the Holy Spirit’s power to restore a God-pleasing agreement in doctrine and practice within the Synod, and that we decline all overtures which call for a division of the Synod. Action: Adopted (10). (The convention defeated a motion to refer the resolution to Committee 3 to reevaluate it and to present a revised version on Friday morning. It declined to divide the resolution into (1) the whereases and the first resolved, and (2) the second resolved. It also declined an amendment to have the final resolved read simply, “That we trust the Holy Spirit’s power to restore a God- pleasing agreement in doctrine and practice within the Synod.”