LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Sheet 116

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GREETINGS OF THE PRESIDENT OF LUTHERAN CHURCH-CANADA 115

11. Greetings of the President of Lutheran Church—Canada

President Bohlmann, officers of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, delegates to this historic convention:

On behalf of the members of Lutheran Church—Can-
ada, thank you for your actions this day, and for over 100
years of serving, sharing, and caring for our Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod people of Canada. You have pro-
vided pastors, teachers, professors, finances, and prayer;
for this we thank you. Please accept this thanks from your
brothers and sisters in Christ who have been nurtured and
guided these many years. Many of them are Americans
who left home, family, and nation to serve their Lord in
Canada. We thank you for your sons, brothers, and sisters
who are a part of our church.

When this new church body emerges, it will not be apart
from you, but will continue to be part of a partnership
relationship. This action has not been arrived at without
challenges; challenges to commitment, challenges to vi-
sion, challenges to faith and hope. But then nothing in
God’s kingdom ever comes easily. But with the challenge
comes also the power from a gracious and guiding God to
meet and rise above the challenge.

It is that same God and Lord who will continue to be
with us. For it is our pledge to you that we will remain a
strong confessional Lutheran Church, growing in faith and
serving as another example in worldwide Lutheranism of
a church body committed to the Scriptures and the confes-
sions, built upon the foundation of the prophets and apos-
tles, being chosen living stones of His church. And after
that day has come, do not forget us in your prayers, for we
will have lost the larger fellowship of conventions like this.
But it is the price and sacrifice that must be made so that
we might grow to better serve Him, our Jesus, in our land,
fulfilling the great commission to bring the Gospel to the
uttermost parts of the earth.

When you next gather together in convention, another
will bring you greetings as president. At the founding con-
vention of LCC a new president will be elected. He will
share our joys with you, for my part of this work will be
done.

And a final personal note; I take this opportunity to
extend my personal appreciation for the guidance, the pa-
tience, the love, and prayers that have not only sustained
me in the nine years of my presidency, but have also now
culminated in a dream and vision becoming a reality—-God
willing—in His way, in His time.

Rev. Elroy Treit

12. Farewell Address of the First Vice-President

“Philip Melanchthon, a layman who wrote the Apology
of the Augsburg Confession somewhere included this sen-
tence in that great statement of the Faith: “It is not pos-
sible to state something so clearly that it will not be
misunderstood.” This is not only true of doctrine but of

other matters as well. For that reason especially, my words
will be few.

First, my reason for wanting to be relieved of chairing
the convention these days was not to escape Res. 5-02, but
to use the final opportunity to personally speak with and
thank men who supported the Synod’s doctrinal stance
during and after New Orleans, Anaheim, and Dallas,
which mean more to us than just names of cities. These
men should not be forgotten.