LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 65

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 65

staff positions as a special unpaid consultant in this area.
Shortly after the 1983 convention adopted Resolution 3-
04B which challenged various institutions and structures
of our church body to develop educational programs and
supportive services, I directed an inquiry to all districts,
schools, boards, commissions, departments, congregations,
social-service agencies, auxiliaries, and other organiza-
tions of the Synod to ascertain what efforts and services
are currently underway. In November of 1985 a special
pro-life report organized that information and made it
available to all congregations of the Synod as a means of
supporting congregational and other efforts. Although the
Synod’s position is well-known, we need to give more at-
tention both to educational efforts within our congrega-
tions and institutions, and to programs that will provide
genuine alternatives to persons contemplating abortions.

Seminary Reconciliation Efforts. From May 1984
through March 1986, the patient efforts of the President,
Board of Regents, and faculty of our Fort Wayne seminary,
assisted by the special efforts of the BPES, the President’s
office, pastoral visitors, a reconciliation committee, and
outside consultants, have resulted in the resolution of a
number of tensions involving the Fort Wayne seminary.
Although the aforementioned parties have made every ef-
fort to deal with these problems personally, professionally,
and pastorally, a great deal of rumor and false information
has circulated throughout the Synod, and has caused the
reconciliation task to be much more difficult. However,
with God’s blessings and the continuing good will of all
parties, a number of remaining issues were set aside, a
course of action was developed utilizing the primary re-
sources of the Board of Regents, and all parties involved
consider the matter closed.

Walther Anniversaries. During the last half of 1986 and
continuing into 1987, the Synod will be observing two an-
niversaries of our first president, Dr. C. F. W. Walther. On
Oct. 25, 1986 we will mark the 175th anniversary of his
birth. On May 7, 1987 we will mark the 100th anniversary
of his death. The Board of Directors has created a special
committee to give direction to our synodical commemora-
tion (cf. 1983 Resolution 4-20A). The convention will also
pay special tribute to this great churchman and father of
our Synod, including thematic treatments in our conven-
tion essays. It is my hope that the Synod will mark this
anniversary period with special theological studies on
great themes dealt with by Dr. Walther, such as Law and
Gospel and church and ministry.

Walter A. Maier Issue. As reported to the last conven-
tion, some concerns were expressed in the Synod some
years ago about statements made by Dr. Walter A. Maier
on the doctrine of justification. During the early part of
the past triennium, these questions were discussed within
the Council of Presidents of which Dr. Maier is a member.
However, the primary peer group for reviewing issues with
Dr. Maier has been the faculty of our Fort Wayne semi-
nary. President Preus has provided me with regular re-
ports on the progress of these discussions, and those
reports have generally been quite positive. In my opinion,
this matter is not a cause for public concern in the Synod.

Valparaiso University. At the request of the 1981 syn-
odical convention, a special committee has served to pro-

vide liaison between the Synod and Valparaiso University.
Members of the committee are Vice President George Wol-
lenburg and Dr. Richard Bardolph; until his death, Vice
President Hyatt served as the chairman of the committee.
Meetings between the committee and the leadership of Val-
paraiso University have been held on a regular basis
throughout the triennium. Reports from the committee
have been positive about the good will that exists between
the university and the Synod and about continuing efforts
to improve relationships. In this connection, it should also
be reported that an article published by a Valparaiso pro-
fessor on the synodical clergy roster has been the subject
of considerable concern and effort on the part of his district
president. The professor has since left The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to affiliate with another church
body, and has issued a brief statement of explanation and
clarification on the published article.

Meetings with Charismatics. During the triennium, two
meetings were held between synodical officials and several
Missouri Synod pastors who are active in the charismatic
movement. These meetings were designed to provide in-
formation and interpretation of the Synod’s position and
to learn of current developments and practices in the char-
ismatic movement. Special attention was paid to clarifying
the Synod’s position on charismatic teaching as set forth
in Resolution 3-10A of the 1977 convention. Another meet-
ing is planned for the fall of 1986, when charismatic par-
ticipants will provide a written statement of their position,
and synodical representatives will continue to explain and
apply portions of the Synod’s position.

Support for Pastors. During the past triennium, the
Council of Presidents and seminary faculties, together
with synodical Committees on Ministerial Health and Con-
tinuing Education, have given a great deal of attention to
ways in which pastors and other professional church work-
ers can be strengthened and supported in the conduct of
their offices. The November 1985 meeting of the seminary
faculties and Council of Presidents devoted virtually the
entire agenda to this topic. As a result of these emphases,
the Standing Committee on Pastoral Ministry of the Board
for Professional Education Services has been asked to un-
dertake a number of projects. In my judgment, the time
has come for the Synod to establish a special office for the
support and professional growth of our pastors and other
church workers.

Entered into Rest. Attached as appendix C is a list of
the pastors and teachers of the Synod whom the Lord
called home to Himself in heaven during the past trien-
nium. The convention will praise God for His many bless-
ings toward these departed servants during a special
worship service.

General Comments on Synodical Organization

Centralization/Decentralization. The basic unit of the
Synod is the local congregation. The Synod exists to sup-
port congregations and to carry out functions on behalf of
congregations. In some functions related to congregations,
district structures are the most effective, whereas in other
functions, national structures tend to be. Contrary to some
reports, authority has not been centralized in recent years
in the national structures or in the office of the synodical