# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1979_S27 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) i f 5. : 5 E § CE tt Soa eon tr CoRR COR SERRE ARES oT EE Pre oi Mp Teng E SONG aig ER RET srg MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 27 by saying that he hoped and prayed that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod would continue to be The Lutheran Church—Missionary Synod. President An- drew Chiu of the Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod was next introduced to the convention. He described the problems and opportunities facing the church there, referring particularly to the refugee problem and to concerns regarding the spiritual welfare of these people. In addition to bringing greetings from the Hong Kong Lutheran Church, he also presented a check to the Synod for over 2,700 American dollars, or 14,092.85 Hong Kong dollars. The funds were gathered through a special thankoffering among the Lutherans in Hong Kong. Missions Chairman Edmund Happel of the Floor Committee on Missions introduced Res. 1-04A (TB 182), which called for encouragement and assistance to Asian part- ner churches/mission fields to increase their member- ship. The resolution was adopted as presented. Guests Bishop Waesa, one of the first New Guinea converts and now head of the Gutnius [““Good News’”’] Lutheran Church, formerly the Wabag Lutheran Church, was introduced to the delegates by Dr. Preus. He described the work which has been carried on in New Guinea since 1948 by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and spoke of the struggle to reduce back-door losses, which are resulting from a change in the culture in that country. He thanked The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for help which had been given and also presented an offering gathered by the Gutnius Lutheran Church in the amount of $246.25. Missions Following the presentation on the work in New Guinea, the delegates approved Res. 1-06A (7B 183), which called for encouragement and assistance to partner churches/mission fields to increase their mis- sion outreach. By approval of this resolution the mission challenge for the 1980s was adopted, including assis- tance to partner churches/mission fields in establish- ing functioning mission boards where feasible for streng- thening the awareness and zeal for reaching people beyond their cultural tradition, social sphere, and geo- graphic boundaries with the Gospel. The membership of the Synod is to be kept informed of progress made in this area. Guests Dr. Edward Westcott, Executive Secretary for Mis- sions, introduced missionary Garry McClure of Guate- mala to the convention. Missionary McClure brought greetings from the churches in Central America and described the work which is being carried on by them. He pointed out that with unstable conditions, the task facing the church in Central America is that of taking the universal priesthood seriously, so that if political realities require missionaries to leave, the church will be led by a strong group of indigenous leaders. Missions Following this presentation the delegates considered and adopted Res. 1-05A (7B 182), which called for encouragement and assistance to partner churches/ mission fields in Latin America to increase member- ship. The resolution was adopted after the convention agreed to add the words “the proclamation of the Gospel and” on line 44 (TB 182) between the words “through” and “Baptism.” Guests Rev. Leopoldo Gros, President of the Argentine District, next addressed the delegates, describing how the Lord has opened doors to test and strengthen the church in that District. During the past year that District lost four pastors and has experienced an infla- tion rate of 160 percent. Amendment Although Res. 1-03A (7B 181) and Res. 1-04A (TB 182) had already been approved, the delegates agreed by common consent to add the words “the proclamation of the Gospel and” between the words “through” and “Baptism” in line 56 (7B 181) and line 14 (TB 182). Theology and Church Relations Chairman Richard Schlecht of the Floor Committee on Theology and Church Relations presented Res. 3-01 (TB 83—84) to the convention for consideration. This resolution called for adoption of the book Lutheran Worship as an official hymnal of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. Prior to presenting the resolution the committee had deleted the words “LBW, some in revised form,” (line 3, 7'B 84) and substituted the letters “NIV.” They had also added the words “(1943 version)” after the word “Catechism” in line 13 (TB 84). Lengthy discussion followed the presentation of the resolution. A number of amendments to the resolution were offered, none of which were accepted by the delegates. One of the amendments, which called for a commendation of both the Lutheran Book of Worship and Lutheran Worshipto congregations as guidelines in the selection of their worship resources, was declared to be out of order since the Dallas convention had called for adoption of an approved hymnal. When the proposed amendment was revised to allow for two official hymnals, this was declared to be a substitute resolution, one which the delegates declined to consider. When time for debate had elapsed according to the standing rules of the convention, the delegates agreed by atwo-thirds vote to call the question. The resolution was then adopted as presented by the committee. In response to questions from the floor prior to voting on the resolution, the committee stated that the resolution did not include occasional services and pointed out that some hymns may be added, but that this should not be considered as a substantive change. Delegates were also urged to