LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 64

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64 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

ports elsewhere in this Workbook on its efforts to guide a
study process throughout the Synod on guidelines for inter-
Christian relationships. No study is of greater importance
for the confessional well-being of our Synod in the years
ahead. The structural reasons for this are rather obvious
to most observers as a new Lutheran church is formed.
However, of even greater significance, in my judgment, is
the fact that the church bodies forming the new Lutheran
church have taken positions on the Word of God, the basis
of fellowship and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper with
Christians not in confessional fellowship that can only
widen the distance between the two church bodies. It is
especially incumbent upon The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod to confess, in both word and deed, the dis-
tinctive doctrinal position of the Lutheran church as based
upon Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and
to do this while maintaining a flexible, open, and friendly
posture toward other Lutherans and indeed other Chris-
tians.

Free Conferences. In keeping with 1983 Resolution 3-
05, the CTCR and I have encouraged districts to take the
lead in convening free theological conferences in North
America. Several districts have attempted such confer-
ences, but without significant success—largely because of
inadequate financial resources, but also because of mini-
mal discernible enthusiasm. The possibility of holding such
conferences was also discussed with the presidents of the
Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Wisconsin Evangel-
ical Lutheran Synod, but no specific plans were developed.
Additional efforts need to be made in the coming triennium
to encourage contacts between confessional Lutherans
worldwide.

Office of Government Information. In April 1985, the
Synod opened a modest Washington information service
in order to provide up-to-date information to the office of
the President and other synodical offices on activities in
Washington that have an impact upon the work of the
Synod, as well as to provide information to government
entities on the positions of the Synod. The funding of this
part-time operation was authorized by the Board of Di-
rectors, utilizing an allocation from LCMS Foundation
earnings. Mrs. Candace Mueller has served as our staff
consultant in this capacity. Recently, the Board of Direc-
tors resolved to continue a slightly expanded version of
that office for the next fiscal year. Mrs. Mueller continues
to provide detailed reports to various synodical offices and
the Board of Directors on a regular basis. Given the grow-
ing importance of church-state relationships, and the op-
portunity to impact moral dimensions of national issues
which have been addressed by the Synod, as well as the
importance of distinguishing the views of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod from other Lutheran voices in
Washington as that becomes necessary, the continued ex-
istence of this office is essential. In addition to strictly
governmental contacts, the office is also instrumental in
various public relations dimensions and has contributed
significantly to preparing for the major LCMS Youth Gath-
ering in Washington in August of 1986. (Report attached
as appendix B.)

President’s Commission on Synodical Higher Educa-
tion. The appointment of a President’s Commission on Syn-

odical Higher Education was reported to the 1983
convention (see 1983 Convention Proceedings, pp. 90-91);
the convention in turn assigned important responsibilities
to this commission of distinguished educators and church-
men. The commission has worked very hard on a wide
range of complex issues facing the Synod in this important
area of our life and work together. The report and rec-
ommendations of the commission are included in the
higher education section of this Workbook and will come
before the convention for consideration through the report
of the floor committee in that area.

President’s Commission on Women. In 1984, a special
commission of nine women from various walks of life was
appointed to analyze data and study ways in which women
can make a greater contribution to the life and ministry
of the church at every level of its existence. Chaired by Dr.
Jean Garton, the commission has reviewed the recom-
mendations of previous task forces, conducted a survey of
synodical attitudes about women in the church, consulted
with the CTCR as it developed its study on theological
dimensions of the question, and prepared materials for use
by the women of the church. Although the assignments
given to the commission are not scheduled to be completed
until late summer, the commission has prepared a progress
report which is included in the congregational ministries
section of this Workbook, and which will be reviewed by
committee 2. When the commission completes its work, its
materials concerning the ministry of women should receive
wide attention in the church.

Black Ministry Summit Conference. The 1984 Black
Ministry Convocation asked me to convene a special sum-
mit conference for the purpose of improving and expanding
black mission and ministry at local, district, and synodical
levels. The resolution calling for the conference also high-
lighted the need to begin the healing of past hurts and
divisions and to foster a common understanding of the
Gospel with its power both to heal and to send us forth
together in His mission. That conference, funded by a spe-
cial allocation from the Board of Directors from LCMS
Foundation earnings, was held Jan. 31—Feb. 2, 1986. Asa
result of challenges discussed and presented at that meet-
ing, the synodical leadership has accepted a number of
important challenges in this area of our life and work to-
gether, including the beginning of new congregations, pro-
vision of new programs, curricular review, better
deployment of church workers, and improved scholarship
funding. A more detailed report on this conference is in-
cluded in the report of the Commission on Black Ministry
for review by floor committee 1 on witness and outreach.

Pro-life Efforts. A number of special activities took place
during the past triennium in order to implement the Syn-
od’s strong position against abortion. A special task force
of the Board for Social Ministry Services has focused on
alternatives, while the staff of the Board for Parish Ser-
vices has continued to provide materials to the congrega-
tions of the Synod for Life Sunday, celebrated the third
week in January each year. Through the Office of Govern-
ment Information, the Synod’s position has been expressed
with reference to a number of governmental programs or
proposals. Dr. Jean Garton, president of Lutherans for
Life, has continued to serve the President’s office and other

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