# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S111 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 110 RESOLUTIONS An amalgamation resolution was actually adopted at the 1935 synodical convention, which said: Wuereas, The matter of amalgamation has been before Synod and has been thoroughly discussed repeatedly ever since 1923; therefore your committee is of the opinion that the time for the amalgamation of the congregations of the English District with other Districts has fully arrived and that such amalgamation will be most expedient and salutary for both the English District and for other Districts of Synod. Your committee therefore recommends that the Pres- ident of Synod appoint a committee to confer with duly appointed representatives of the English District and work out with them an equitable and profitable solution of the whole question to the end that the amalgamation, if possi- ble, be accomplished by the next convention in 1938. Although it was adopted, nothing happened. Imple- mentation simply bogged down. Attempts to effect amalgamation were made in the synodical conventions of 1950, 1953, and 1956, and com- mittees were appointed by the general Synod and by the English District to accomplish this end, but without success. At the 1973 New Orleans convention, Resolution 4-41, which was not acted on because of the expiration of convention time, again called for the assimilation of the English District congregations into the geographical Dis- tricts. This same issue now faces the delegates of this 1975 convention. WHEREAS, The English District in its earlier years fulfilled an important need and rendered valuable serv- ice to the Synod; and Wuereas, The purpose of the formation of the Eng- lish District, namely English language work, has been long since fulfilled; and Wuereas, There has, for many years, been a vast duplication of program, administration, and funding by the English District and the geographical Districts; and WHEREAs, The amalgamation of the English District congregations with the geographic Districts has been proposed to the Synod in convention many times and has been under detailed study; and Wuereas, The 1973 convention again initiated such an amalgamation proposal, Resolution 4-41, and took action by referring it to the Board of Directors in the Omnibus Resolution; and Wuereas, The Board of Directors adopted the follow- ing resolution with respect to the “Assimilation of the English District”: Wuereas, Resolution 4-41 of the New Orleans con-- vention of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod was not acted upon by the Synod in 1973 for lack of time and was referred under Omnibus Resolution 4-47 to the Board of Directors; and Wuereas, This resolution (4-41) deals with a matter of such importance that it should be considered by the Synod in convention and not by the Board of Directors; therefore be it Resolved, That the Board of Directors resubmit Resolu- tion 4-41 to the 51st convention of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, which is to meet at Anaheim, Calif., July 4—11, 1975; and Wuereas, In a later action the Board of Directors proposed that this question be referred to a task force to study all Districts; and Wuereas, It appears that the question of nongeo- graphic Districts must be resolved before a study of all Districts is practical; and WHEREAS, All the requirements of Bylaw 3.03 c, per- taining to the dissolution of Districts, have been fulfilled; therefore be it Resolved, That the English District be dissolved, effective July 15, 1976; and be it further Resolved, That every congregation, pastor, and teacher in membership with the English District as of July 15, 1976, be assigned on that date to the respective geographical District in which such is located or resides; and be it further Resolved, That all matters relating to the dissolution of the English District, including but not limited to the corporate status, real and personal property, and the Church Extension Fund, shall be coordinated by the synodical Board of Directors and that these matters be: completed by July 15, 1976; and be it further Resolved, 1. That all members of the English District be encouraged to respond positively and cooperatively to this resolution of the Synod, and 2. That all members of the English District be encouraged to continue to serve their Lord by giving loyal service and support to the proclamation of the Gospel through their respective geo- graphic Districts; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod declare its gratefulness to God for the services the English District has rendered to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as well as for its faithful mission endeavors for the past 100 years. Action: Not carried. Minority Proposal The following members of Committee 4 are grateful for the permission to submit the following proposal: L. Lloyd Behnken, Leonard C. Glaser, John M. Haffenref- fer, R. A. Jagels, Arthur Nordstrom, Jay Pfotenhauver, Henry E. Simon. Wuereas, Intensive study has revealed that the mat- ter of amalgamation of the congregations of the English District has wide-ranging, time-requiring, complex fac- tors which need much more prayerful, careful, expert, and unpressured study; and WHEREAS, This convention has ordered a task force to study the total synodical structure, including possible revision of District lines and possible merging of Dis- tricts; and Wuereas, This is an administrative matter, and not doctrinal, and therefore has no Scriptural imperative which demands action at this convention; therefore be it Resolved, That the question of the amalgamation of English District congregations be referred by this con- vention to the ad hoc committee; and be it finally Resolved, That this matter be Biven high priority on said ad hoc committee’s agenda, with recommendation for specific action by the Synod’s 1977 convention.