LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 22

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

22 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

the historic gavel which had been presented, declared
the convention open in the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.

Welcome

On behalf of Concordia Seminary and the sister
seminaries and colleges, Dr. Karl Barth, president of
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, welcomed the delegates.
He reminded them that the seminary has completed its
144th academic year and continues to train men to carry
out the convention theme, “Him We Proclaim.” It
continues to be the task of the seminary to prepare
pastors who are academically qualified and orthodox.

Speaking for the Missouri District, one of the host
Districts of the convention, President Paul Spitz wel-
comed the delegates, urging them to visit the many
historic sites related to Lutheranism in the area. He
expressed his thanks for the past blessings of the Lord
upon the church in the Missouri District and upon The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a church body,
and offered his prayer for the Lord’s blessing for the
future of both the Missouri District and the Synod.

President Alvin Kollmann, representing the South-
ern Illinois District, also offered a word of welcome.
When the convention meets in St. Louis the Southern
Illinois District serves as co-host to the convention. In
his remarks President Kollmann reminded the dele-
gates that to proclaim Christ is not just the task of
pastors, but of every member of the Synod.

Vice-chairman of the Synod’s Board of Directors, Dr.
Gus Melde, spoke for the Synod in response to the words
of welcome. He stated as his conviction that this
convention would be a memorable one, and urged the
delegates to take every opportunity available to them to
carry out the theme of the convention, ‘‘Him We
Proclaim.”

Greetings and Introductions

President Bohlmann shared with the delegates greet-
ings which had been received from Senator Thomas
Eagleton with wishes for a fruitful and enjoyable
convention; from Kenneth Rothman, the lieutenant
governor of the State of Missouri; and from Vincent
Schoemehl, the mayor of St. Louis. He also introduced
the Vice-Presidents of the Synod, who will be sharing
the chair during the convention. Mabel Stickel was
introduced as parliamentarian, as was Dr. Herbert
Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, and Dr. Walter Rosin,
who will be serving as the convention secretary. In his
remarks Dr. Bohlmann pointed out that Secretary
Mueller will not be a candidate for office again, and that
his many years of service will be recognized later in the
convention.

Standing Rules

Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, pre-
sented the proposed standing rules for the convention to
the delegates. They appear on page 8 of Today’s
Business. During the presentation he called attention to
several specific rules, such as the calling of the question

after 30 minutes of debate and the so-called “Behnken” 4 ey
rule. After the delegates adopted the standing rulesas =
presented, Dr. Bohlmann elaborated briefly on them, 38 ©. (

indicating in that process that the Elections Committee
is free to interrupt the proceedings at any time to carry
out its business.

President’s Report

In beginning his oral report, President Bohlmann
pointed out that the first two portions of the report had
been presented previously to the floor committees and
appeared on pages 19—33 of Today’s Business.

In the third portion of his report he gave an overview
of activities which had been carried out through the
office of the President during the past biennium. Among
the items included in the report were words of gratitude
for the assistance which had been given during the
transition to his administration, the travel schedule
which had been carried out in his efforts to listen to the
Synod and its members, the various government
contacts which had been made, the advice, guidance,
and assistance of the Council of Presidents, and the
presidential appointments which had been made. He
also referred to a number of issues which had been dealt
with, such as dual memberships which have been
reduced to three congregations, seven active pastors, 20
retired pastors, and zero teachers. He reported on
activities related to theological issues, unionistic
services, church relations matters, with special refer-
ence to inter-Lutheran relationships, and implemen-
tation of structural changes adopted at the last
convention.

He continued his report by referring to the future of °
the church, a church in mission. He reminded the *
delegates of the many factors in the life of the church *
which support an optimistic reading of the Synod
Among these are the 102 ministries begun in 1982, the ‘
slight gains in membership and Bible class participa
tion which have taken place, the growth in elementary
and high school enrollments, increases in giving, the
success of Forward in Remembrance, the one million :
dollar loan commitment to the Nehemiah project in
Brooklyn, New York, and the growth in youth ministry.

He also pointed to some counter indicators of organi-
zational and ecclesiastical health, such as a tendency to
be an inward looking church, a fascination with diffi-
culties of others in the Synod, and a tendency to “guard *
our own turf” rather than being concerned about and
personally involved in the total work of our Lord.

The President of the Synod reminded the delegates
that we have many assets on which to build, particularly
spiritual assets which will enable us to give a pows rfal
proclamation of Law and Gospel and to carry out the
theme of this convention, “Him We Proclaim.”,#
concluded by stating that “because of God’s grace.aa
power,” it is indeed a “fantastic time to be alive in the
Lord!” .
Also included in the report of the President wé
number of appendices relating to certain activities.OF
committees and others who were appointed to ca
the business of the Synod.