LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 40

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"40 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

ofthis conference as a means of strengthening the voice
of confessional Lutheranism throughout the world for a
clear witness to and proclamation of the saving Gospel
of Jesus Christ.

Announcements

President Bohlmann called on Ralph Phipps, Presi-
dent of the Colorado District, to report on the condition
of Dr. George Bruening, President of the Kansas Dis-
trict, who had been stricken during the opening service
of the convention. He reported that Dr. Bruening had
been released from the intensive care unit and that he
still hoped to return to the convention before its
adjournment.

Closing Devotion

Closing devotions for the session were conducted by
Dr. Victor Constien, executive secretary of the Board for
Parish Services. In his devotion Dr. Constien pointed
out that we have been warned, a matter which involves
repentance, and taught, a matter which involves Christ
and forgiveness, so that we may warn and teach others,
with the goal of making every man complete, mature.
The devotion was concluded with the singing of the
hymn, “One Thing’s Needful.”

Session 8

Wednesday, July 13, Morning
Devotion and Essay

The theme for the morning devotional essay could be
stated as “Dr. Martin Luther tells us we are priests
before God.” Dr. Michael Stelmachowicz, president of
Concordia Teacher’s College, Seward, Nebraska, and
chairman of the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations, presented the essay, dwelling on the great
rediscovery of the Reformation that all Christians are
priests before God. None is greater, none less. This
thought was not emphasized in the early ministry of Dr.
Martin Luther but the germ of the thought is already
found in a number of the 95 Theses. It is, however,
clearly stated already in his writings in 1523. Dr.
Stelmachowicz pointed out that Martin Luther empha-
sized the fact that we are priests before God, a status of
undeserved privilege which is ours only because of
Christ. As priests we have the privilege of coming
directly to God for others in prayer. Nevertheless, the
distinction between this ministry and the public minis-
try must be maintained. By our baptism we become
priests before God, priests who minister to physical as
well as spiritual needs. To be priests before God means
we are servants of men. We serve them best when we
proclaim the Gospel to them, when we declare the
praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His
marvelous light. In the last portion of his remarks, Dr.
Stelmachowicz emphasized the fact that the Scriptures
speak of the Spirit of God being poured out on young
men and women. The spirit is not only given to parents
or adults, and we need to remember this as Satan seeks
to pit groups against each other.

After Dr. Sauer led the delegates in a responsive
prayer and in the singing of a hymn, an exchange
between the convention delegates and the essayist took
place for the purposes of clarification and spiritual
growth. This exchange was chaired by Dr. Joseph
Lavalais, Second Vice-President of the Synod.

Announcements

President Bohlmann thanked the delegates for their
attendance at the picnic held at the International
Center the previous evening. He pointed out that the
beautiful and functional building could be paid for over
a period of approximately 20 years at no greater cost
than would have been involved in the rental of facilities.
Obviously, of course, it would be advantageous to be
able to fund the cost of the building at an earlier date in
order to free monies for mission and ministry. He
pointed out that the Canadian flag, which was now on
the platform, serves to remind us that we are an
international church body.

In additional announcements delegates were
reminded to bring major amendments in writing to the
podium, that information requests might be dealt with
in consultation with floor committees rather than utiliz-
ing convention time, and that the President’s reception
would be held in the evening beginning at 8:00 p.m. In
response to a written request the Chair indicated that
the total amount of the offering at the opening service
and Sunday morning service of the convention was not
yet known but that it would be announced to the
delegates as soon as the information was available.

In a progress report on the convention, President
Bohlmannn announced that consideration had been
completed on 36 of 164 resolutions. He stated that he
would be meeting with floor committee chairmen in
order to determine which resolutions required action
before the close of the convention and should therefore
be given priority.

Asa final announcement Dr. Bohlmann read a letter
of greetings from President Ronald Reagan in its
entirety.

Elections

Chairman of the Floor Committee on Registration,
Credentials, and Elections, Paul Wendling, assisted by
a member of the floor committee, announced the results
of elections which had been held on the previous day,
indicating that a number of positions had not yet been
filled because the required majority was not received. As
the results were read, the following were declared
elected:

Secretary
Walter L. Rosin, St. Louis, MO (MO)

Treasurer

Norman D. Sell, St. Louis, MO (MO)

Board of Directors
PASTOR
Victor H. Marxhausen, White Bear Lake, MN (MNS)

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