LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 39

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efor membership in the Synod. During the dis-
jo the delegates declined an amendment which
have inserted the categories of deaconess, lay
ster, parish worker, parish assistant, and director
angelism in lines 10, 17, 20, and 23 of Res. 5-08
allowing the words “Directors of Christian Education.”

s originally ruled that this amendment was out of
er since it was contrary to the Constitution. It was,
er, later determined that the convention had the
o interpret the meaning of the word “teacher”
nstitution. After it was explained thatit would

cult to classify deaconesses and others as educa-
the delegates declined the amendment. They also
an amendment to include the word “deaconess”
‘the lines indicated above. This was done after the
ates had agreed to cease debate on the amendment.

ey also agreed to cease debate on the main
1, Res. 5-08 (TB 115) was adopted. After Dr.
Mueller stated that this action should not be
eted by deaconesses as a judgment on their
try, the convention applauded to demonstrate its

cati not ministers of religion. Because of considerable

fisct ssion which followed, action could not be com-
d on this resolution before the expiration of time for
ymittee presentations.

Point of Order

In response to a question from a delegate, asking
thether the assembly could determine if it wished to
scontinue discussion, President Bohlmann indicated
that it could do so but a two-thirds vote would be
quired to change the orders of the day. The convention
léclined to continue the discussion.

‘Missions, Evangelism, and Social Ministry

Chairman Marcis of the Floor Committee on
‘Missions, Evangelism, and Social Ministry introduced
‘Res. 1-05 (TB 39) which encouraged more congregational
participation in a personalized missionary support
ie program. After brief discussion and after a number of
“questions relating to the program had been answered by
. “Dr. Edward Westcott, executive secretary of the Board
- for Mission Services, the delegates adopted the resolu-
tion as presented. They also adopted Res. 1-06 (TB 39)
~: which encouraged the Board for Mission Services to
-consider the establishment of a Synodwide “Laborers
‘for Christ” program in order to help meet the Synodwide
need for economical construction and/or remodeling of
facilities. A suggestion to insert the word “volunteer”
before “Laborers for Christ” in line 63 (TB 39) was
withdrawn after it was explained that some of the
workers are not really volunteers but provide their
services on the basis of a minimum wage. The conven-
. tion adopted Res. 1-07 (TB 40), calling for responsive-

ges
Bi

AT ian

uc- ness to human needs. This resolution asked the Board
{5) for Social Ministry Services to continue to publicize
on

such needs and encouraged congregations to continue

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 39

to pray reguiarly and specifically for all oppressed
people, for just government, and for the powerful effect
of the Gospel upon the hearts of all. During considera-
tion of Res. 1-08A (7B 168), which called for implemen-
tation of Res. 9-15 of the 1971 convention relative to
world hunger, the delegates adopted an amendment
which called for the addition of the two resolves of
Overture 1-35 (CW37) at the end of Res. 1-08A. A slightly
altered addition of these resolves read as follows:
“Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its commitment to
Res. 9-15 (1971); and be it further Resolved, That the
Synod direct the appropriate synodical boards and
committees, as well as the synodical news media and
synodical agencies, and request the appropriate con-
gregational boards and committees and the auxiliaries
of the Synod to implement Res. 9-15 (1971).” After
agreeing to cease debate on the proposed addition, the
delegates adopted it. After further agreeing to cease
debate on the main resolution, the delegates then
adopted Res. 1-08A (7B 168) as amended.

Greetings

Chairman Marcis introduced Johannes Gedrat,
president of a partner church in Brazil. In his remarks
President Gedrat expressed his pleasure at being
present at the convention even though it was as a guest
and not as a member, which had been the case at other
times. He reviewed the work of the Lutheran Church in
Brazil and stated that it had three major priorities at
this time. These were dividing large parishes or placing
more than one pastor in large congregations, placing a
missionary in each of the 26 state capitols or districts,
and placing five to six new missionaries in entirely new
areas. Seminary enrollment in Brazil has grown rapidly,
and there are now 30 students in a new seminary, with
165 in the older one. 39 vicars and 25 new pastors were
placed during the last year, a major factor in achurch of
434 pastors. The attitude of the Lutheran Church of
Brazil towards outreach is a legacy of the association
with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The
Lutheran Church of Brazil is working closely with the
Argentine Lutheran Church and reaching out into other
areas, particularly into Paraguay. Concluding his
remarks, President Gedrat stated, “We never know for
which blessing to thank God first when we wake up in
the morning, and when we go to bed we do not yet have
an answer.” The Lutheran Church of Brazil is deter-
mined to continue to be thankful and faithful in pro-
claiming Christ as Lord and Savior.

Missions, Evangelism, and Social Ministry

Concluding its work for this session, the floor com-
mittee introduced Res. 1-09 (TB 40) which called for
recognition and encouragement of the International
Lutheran Conference. This resolution was adopted, and
the President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
was instructed to bring greetings to these churches
through their presidents at the next meeting of the
conference, which will be held in Obot Idim Nigeria, on
Nov. 2—11, 1984. The delegates also encouraged the use