LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 45

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the past 110 years has been to proclaim Christ.
uring that period of time the work carried out by the
chool has changed and at the present time there are
ve different programs for special children. In order to
“encourage work among the deaf on the local level, the
gchool has established an Ephphatha Award to encour-
- age people to become involved in this effort. A number of
persons had been nominated for the award, and Mr.
‘Rynearson pointed out that the awarding group had
looked for a “surprised saint.” As a result they had
chosen Don and Lois Fairman to receive the award
"during the present year. He called upon President Meyer
of the Southern District to present the award on behalf
of the Lutheran School for the Deaf. The recipients
responded briefly, interpreting their remarks in sign
language to the convention.

Professional Education

© Chairman Arnold Kuntz of the Floor Committee on
Professional Education introduced Res. 6-04A (TB 257)
relating to shared responsibilty for higher education in
Canada with the Lutheran Church—Canada. Prior to
consideration of the resolution the Rev. Elroy Treit,
president of the Lutheran Church—Canada, spoke to
the delegates, relating his remarks to the matter of
seminary education in Canada as well as the time line
for autonomy of the Lutheran Church—Canada, which
would be considered later in the convention. Following
his remarks, the delegates adopted Res. 6-04A (TB 257)
as presented. They also adopted Res. 6-08 (TB 148)
which revised bylaws for the purpose of clarifying
provisions for modified service and retirement of faculty
members. During the discussion President Bohlmann
pointed out that these revisions would not preclude the
engagement of a faculty member to teach a specific
course or to serve as a guest lecturer even after reaching
the age of 75. The convention next adopted Res. 6-09 (TB
149) which asked the Board for Professional Education
Services to consider alternatives to tenure for faculty
members. This study was desirable because the present
bylaws limit the percentage of faculty members who are
normally tenured. In the discussion it became apparent
that the delegates wished to have consideration given to
a study of the possibility of changing present bylaws
related to this matter. The convention next adopted Res.
6-10A (TB 180) which called for a review of presidential
performance at the colleges and seminaries by the
Board of Regents every five years. The review is to be
conducted by the Board of Regents of each institution
on the basis of an evaluation instrument prepared in
consultation with the Boards of Regents of the institu-
tions. The results of the evaluation are to be submitted
promptly to the Board for Professional Education
Services.

Since the Synod has been unable to fund previous
requests and has approved resolutions to decrease
financial costs to full-time church work students and
because there is an expectation that the newly formed
Department of Stewardship and Financial Support will

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 45

be able to improve the financial status of the Synod,
although its efforts will take time to bear fruit, the
delegates agreed that Overtures 6-30, 6-31, and 6-46A—
C should be declined by adopting Res. 6-11 (7B 150).
These overtures had asked that full support be granted
for theological students, for the increase of synodical
financial support for teacher candidates, and the
assumption of a major portion of seminary funding by
the Synod. After declining to amend the resolution by
substituting the word “required” for “encouraged” in
line 15 (7B 151) the delegates adopted Res. 6-12(TB 150)
entitled “To Further the Education of Seminary Pro-
fessors.” This resolution encouraged seminary faculty
members to incorporate some parish service experience
during leaves, with these activities being adminstered
by the seminaries with the assistance from District
presidents. In adopting Res. 6-13 (TB 151) they also
encouraged synodical college professors and teachers to
gain parish experience. Res. 6-14 (TB 151), calling for
the development of a plan for the recruitment of church
workers, was introduced to the convention. Time expired
however before consideration of this resolution could be
completed. ‘

Administration and Program Implementation

Dr. Richard Schlecht, chairman of the Floor Com-
mittee on Administration and Program Implementa-
tion, introduced Res. 4-02A (TB 225), which asked the
Synod to proceed with a total Biblical stewardship plan
and to address the problem of financial planning. After
the resolution had been presented, the Chair indicated
that the resolution would be discussed in three parts
individually, that the delegates would then go back to
the preamble and the whereases, and that the entire
resolution would then be voted upon. During discussion
of the resolution the delegates adopted an amendment
which called for the insertion on line 69 (TB 225) of two
resolves from Res. 12-05 adopted at the 1981 convention
of the Synod. Because of the change in the convention
cycle adopted at that convention, the word “biennium”
in the resolves would be changed to the word “trien-
nium.” The resolves which were to be added were as
follows: “Resolved, That during the next triennium
every congregation in the LCMS be encouraged to
contact every member (individually or in a group
setting) for their stewardship commitment and
response; and be it further Resolved, That, God willing,
during the next triennium all members of LCMS con-
gregations be urged to give proportionately, moving
toward or beyond tithing, by annually increasing their
regular giving by dt least one percent of their personal
income, e.g., two percent to three percent, ten percent to
eleven percent.” After agreeing to cease debate the:
assembly declined to refer the resolution back to com-
mittee. However, they also declined to cease debate on
the main motion. After agreeing to divide the question
into two parts by a vote of 497 to 427 the delegates also
agreed to extend the orders of the day to 6:30 p.m. if
needed to discuss the resolution and to carry out the
necessary final elections process.