LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 65

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‘The time of the parenthesis.” That’s how John
isbitt, author of Megatrends, describes our present
», He explains: “We are living in the time of the
thesis, the time between eras. It is as though we
e bracketed off the present from both the past and
future, for we are neither here nor there. We have not
left behind the either-or America of the past... But
have not embraced the future either. We have done
human thing: we are clinging to the known past in
of the unknown future.” The time of the parenthesis,
‘Naisbitt explains in careful detail, “is a time of
ange and questioning” (p. 249). What is true of our age
Iso an apt description of the church: for us, too, this
ears to be a time between eras, a time of change and
stioning. There are two ways to respond to such
nge and uncertainty. One is to accept change
asively, and in a somewhat fearful and depressed
anner—as though change were inevitable, and inevit-
bly bad! The other way is to respond actively and
erly, realizing that in the “time of the parenthesis”
ich of us has magnificent opportunities to make
gitive contributions.
“Small wonder that Naisbitt can admonish:
‘though the time between eras is uncertain, it is a
reat and yeasty time, filled with opportunity. If wecan
jearn to make uncertainty our friend, we can achieve
h more than in stable eras. In stable eras, every-
g has a name and everything knows its place, and
8'can leverage very little. But in the time of the
jarenthesis we have extraordinary leverage and influ-
ice—individually, professionally, and institution-
y—if we can ony get aclear sense, a clear conception,
‘clear vision, of the road ahead.” “My God,” Naisbitt
Oncludes his book, “what a fantastic time to be alive!”
(fi!°252).
rothers and sisters in Christ, it is also a “fantastic
né to be alive” and serving the Lord of the church in
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Firmly
hored by God’s Holy Spirit in the Word of God and
r Lutheran heritage (which we especially commem-
te in this 500th anniversary year of Luther’s birth),
we are on the threshold of challenges and opportunities
the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that are truly
citing. God has richly blessed the ministry of the
Bdspel in our midst. More than 100 new ministries were
un by last year. Baptized and communicant member-
hips. have increased for the third consecutive year.
dunday Schools and Bible classes, elementary and high
idols, colleges and seminaries all report strong signs
1ealth and growth. Deeds of love on behalf of people
‘teed all over the world are being carried out with
nthusiasm and vigor by the people of our church body.
The-new technologies of our age are being pressed into
service on behalf of the Gospel. Young men and young
women are eager to serve the Lord as pastors, teachers,
and church workers. Yes, indeed, itis a fantastic time to

ea

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

(Part I)

be alive in and for the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him and His
message of life and forgiveness we indeed have “a clear
sense, a clear conception, a clear vision, of the road
ahead!”

The theme for the 55th general convention of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reminds us of that
in simple but powerful words: “Him We Proclaim,”
based on the apostle Paul’s proclamation of the cross to
the Colossians (1:28). It is Him that we proclaim—not
ourselves, not worldly wisdom, not mere moral and
ethical counsel, certainly not advice to governments
about temporal matters, but Him—Jesus Christ and
Him crucified, the message of God’s good cheer that the
life, death, and resurrection of our Lord has brought us
and all mankind forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

This is not only an individual conviction, but some-
thing we proclaim. We have formed congregations,
gathered around His Word and sacraments, in order to
worship Him and serve Him as His people. As congrega-
tions we have formed a Synod and the Synod has
formed Districts, so that we, walking together under His
Word, can serve Him more effectively by training our
pastors, teachers, and other church workers together;
by sending our missionaries together; by performing
our deeds of love in the name of Jesus Christ together.

The work that we do at local, District, national, and
international levels—all centers in proclaiming Him.
He did not ask us to become revolutionaries, to conquer
nations, to transform societies, but simply to proclaim
that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
and that He has come to bring life and to bring it more
abundantly. Indeed, “Him We Proclaim” is the motto
not only of our convention, but of every day of our lives
and service as Christ’s people. How fitting that in this
convention, we should give particular focus both to the
ministry of and to youth, as well as to the magnificent
gifts of God to His church through Dr. Martin Luther,
whose 500th birthday we commemorate this year. For
the center of Christian ministry, whether of Dr. Luther
or of our youth, must always be and remain, “Him We
Proclaim.”

The convention of our church body, as you know,
plays a very important role in our ministry of proclaim-
ing Christ. If a convention is to be most effective, its
delegates, leaders, and committees need to understand
its primary function. Our Bylaws state it quite well:

2.01 Function of Convention

The general convention of the Synod shall afford an
opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship,
and the communication of vital information. It is the
principal legislative assembly, which amends the Consti-
tution and Bylaws, considers and takes action on reports
and overtures, and handles appropriate appeals. It estab-
lishes general synodical positions and policies, provides
overall program direction and priorities, and evaluates all
such positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities
in order to provide responsible service for and in behalf of