LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 36

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36 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

1981 convention hours. Rental for the convention center
had been based on those hours and it would be difficult
to change them at this point.

Parish, Youth, and Communication Services

Dr. Arnold Kromphardt, chairman of the Floor
Committee on Parish, Youth, and Communication
Services, introduced Res. 2-05(7B 51), which encouraged
each District to identify an individual to be trained in
the Peer Ministry Program, to expand its endeavors to
provide opportunities for its youth to be trained in these
very valuable helping skills, and to have as its goal by
1993, 75% of its congregations with developed Peer
Ministry Facilitator Teams trained to help its youth
gain these skills. The resolution was adopted as pre-
sented. By adopting Res. 2-06A (TB 170) the convention
recognized outdoor ministries within the church as vital
and important ministries and encouraged individuals,
congregations, and groups to avail themselves of the
unique opportunities provided by these ministries. They
also encouraged the Board for Parish Services to study
the role of outdoor ministries in relationship to the
synodical staff structure and responsibilities to deter-
mine how best to give continued support and direction
to this ministry. The studies and recommendations are
to be forwarded to the Synod’s Board of Directors for
implementation.

Delegates next began discussion of Res. 2-07A (TB
171) for acceptance of the proposed Lutheran Worship
Agenda as an official worship resource. Because the
whereases were important for an understanding of the
resolution, the resolution was read in its entirety. The
delegates declined an amendment which called for the
substitution of “the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations” for “the Commission on Worship” in
line 40 and striking the lines “the Council of Presidents
be delegated by this convention to give final acceptance
to these services” and to substitute for them the words
“they be submitted to the 1986 convention for approval.”
The action was taken after Dr. Samuel Nafzger, execu-
tive secretary of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, indicated that the commission had
reviewed the Agenda. They also declined an amendment
which called for the addition of the words “in consulta-
tion with the CTCR” after the words “Commission on
Worship” in line 40 (7B 171) and the words “and other
concerns raised at this convention” after the word
“concern” in line 41. After agreeing to cease debate, Res.
2-07A (TB 171) was adopted as presented. After declin-
ing to change the percentage from “28%” to “50%” in
line 7 (TB 53) the delegates adopted Res. 2-08 (TB 52).
This resolution encouraged the congregations of the
Synod to conduct a Bible study program which offers
options both in small discussion groups and in larger
classes and encouraged the Board for Parish Services to
produce a variety of simple and concise short-term
discussion guides designed for Bible study in small-
group setting. It further asked the Board for Parish
Services, together with Concordia Publishing House, to
continue to market a supply of discussion guides for use

by congregations of the Synod, encourage congrega-
tional boards of education to acquaint themselves with
these materials and to provide funding for their use, and
established a goal of involvement of at least 28% of
confirmed members of the congregations of the Synod
in a weekly Bible class series by 1994.

Point of Privilege

A point of privilege was granted in order to ask a
question for clarification regarding an article which
had appeared in the St. Louis newspapers relating to
women’s issues and abortion. The article which reported
on interviews which had been held with President
Bohlmann and with Dr. Jean Garton appeared to be
misleading with regard to their positions on the issues
of women’s rights and abortion. Speaking for himself,
President Bohlmann assured the delegates of his strong
commitment to the support of the doctrinal position of
the Synod on these issues. Dr. Garton also spoke briefly,
indicating that the article provided a clear example ofa
communications gap. She was specifically concerned
about the fact that her expressions of concern for
unborn children, which were a part of the interview, had
not appeared in the article.

Recognition

Dr. Norman Young, chairman of the Lutheran
Education Association, addressed the convention
briefly and presented the Christus Magister Award, an
honor which is awarded annually to an outstanding
educator, to Dr. Luther Mueller of the faculty of Con-
cordia College, St. Paul, Minn. After receiving the
award, Dr. Mueller spoke briefly to the convention.
expressing both his thanks and his commitment to
education, particularly the education of children. Before
the presentation of the award to Dr. Mueller, a specially
framed edition of the teachers oath which had been
adopted by the LEA was presented to President
Bohlmann. .

Lutheran Worship

Dr. Ralph Reinke, president of Concordia Publishin
House, was introduced to the convention in order t
allow him to make a special presentation and to report:
on the acceptance of Lutheran Worship within th
Synod. He indicated that when the present printing i
sold, 700,000 volumes of Lutheran Worship will have’
been distributed and 60% of the congregations would be*
using this worship resource. Specially bound volumes of’
the 699,998—700,000-numbered volumes were presented:
to Dr. Sauer in recognition of his unique contribution
its publication, to Dr. Fred Precht, executive secretary ©
the Commission on Worship, and to President Bohl#
mann asa symbol of rededication of the Synod to vital:
worship and to the support of Concordia Publishing:
House for Lutheran Worship. :

Point of Privilege

Speaking to a point of privilege, a delegate who ha
been nominated for one of the boards of the Syne