LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 55

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“Tell Everyone What HE Has Done!” The theme for the
57th regular convention of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod provides an excellent focus for the life and
work of the Synod as a whole as well as of its individual
components. Taken from the post-Communion canticle and
based on the opening verses of Psalm 105, our theme re-
minds us that we give all glory to God for His mighty acts
among us, and it calls upon us both to celebrate and to tell
one another, and indeed the whole world, what He has
done for us and our salvation. What a privilege it is to be
a part of this great church body and to work together with
its congregations, pastors, teachers, Districts, boards, com-
missions, colleges, seminaries, and partner churches in our
common task of telling everyone what He has done!

My report on the administration of the Synod is in three
parts. In this part I will summarize and comment on var-
ious organizational and administrative matters. Parts II
and III will be presented respectively at the Floor Com-
mittee meetings, May 19-22, and at the opening session
of the convention on July 8. Those parts of the report will
focus on the issues and challenges facing our beloved Synod
as we prepare to enter the last decade of the 20th century.

Summary of Activities

In memoriam. Two of our District Presidents died while
in office during this triennium, namely, Rev. Donald. F.
Jung of our English District, and Dr. L. Lloyd Behnken of
our Florida-Georgia District. It also pleased the Lord to
take unto Himself in heaven two former synodical Vice-
Presidents, namely, Dr. George W. Wittmer, and Dr. Ar-
thur Nitz. Nine past District Presidents were also called
home to be with the Lord: Dr. Ernest H. Stahike, Min-
nesota District; Rev. August F. Droegemueller, Montana
District; Dr. Leslie F. Frerking, Southeastern District; Dr.
Theophil A. Weinhold, Western District; Dr. Gerhard I.
Aho, Upper Michigan District NELC; Rev. Walter A. E.
Enge, Colorado District; Rev. Gustav M. Karkau, Eastern
District; Rev. Herman J. Kotila, Upper Michigan District
NELC; Dr. Waldemar E. Meyer, Colorado District.

We give thanks and praise to God for the lives and min-
istries of these beloved brethren who served our church
body with dedication and faithfulness.

Office administration. First Vice-President Mennicke,
who serves in a full time capacity, has given invaluable
service and leadership in a number of important areas.
The focus of his responsibilities has been on District and
staff relationships. In addition, he has provided leadership
for the 1987 Circuit Counselor’s Conference, the Lay
Worker Study Committee, Synodical Colloquy Commit-
tees, and has represented the President on the Board of
Regents of both United States seminaries. He has also had
the important responsibility of monitoring alleged irreg-
ularities in the doctrine and practice of the congregations
and professional workers of the Synod, and in assisting the
District Presidents in their supervisory responsibilities in

55

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

Part I: Organizational and Administrative Matters

such matters. A more detailed account of his activity is
presented below.

The many administrative details and correspondence
associated with the office of the President and First Vice-
President are ably handled by Mr. Les Stroh, Dr. Arthur
Kuehnert, Miss Jean Buettner, two secretaries, and a part-
time clerical helper. A number of other staff persons assist
by carrying out various other projects on an ad hoc basis.
The St. Louis-based officers, together with the executive
directors of the Board of Directors, Commission on The-
ology and Church Relations, and the Board for Commu-
nications Services, meet on a regular basis as the
“President’s Round Table,” in order to provide mutual
counsel, support, and planning for a number of adminis-
trative activities and issues.

Vice-Presidents Wollenburg, King, Maier, and Merkens
have also provided valuable assistance during the past
triennium. They represented the President’s office at sev-
eral of the 1988 District conventions and at a number of
other meetings and events as well. Drs. Maier and Wol-
lenburg served as my nonvoting liaison representatives to
our St. Catharines and Edmonton seminaries until those
seminaries came under the direct administration of Lu-
theran Church—Canada on Jan. 1, 1989. The vice-presi-
dents have held regular meetings to provide counsel and
advice on important issues and questions facing the Synod,
particularly in the areas of doctrinal supervision and dis-
cipline. A more detailed report is provided below.

Council of Presidents. The Council of Presidents, which
consists of our 35 District Presidents together with the
synodical President and Vice-Presidents, has continued to
provide excellent leadership, counsel, and support in a
number of important areas. Chaired by Dr. Glenn O’Sho-
ney, the council serves as the Synod’s Board of Assign-
ments for our professional church workers and supervises
the official rosters. The council has also undertaken a num-
ber of studies in the areas of church relations and the office
of the ministry and has produced documents for clergy
study dealing with clergy divorce and remarriage, the min-
istry of influence in the Synod, and the professional con-
duct of the pastoral office. Continuing the tradition of
several years, the council also met with the seminary fac-
ulties in 1987 to discuss the Church Growth Movement,
Inter-Christian Relations, and ways of strengthening and
supporting pastoral ministry in the Synod.

In the District conventions held in 1988, eight District
presidents were elected to that office for the first time.
Subsequently, one District president found it necessary to
resign because of poor health. Twenty-one of the 35 in-
cumbent District presidents have begun their service in
that office since 1985. The 1988 District conventions, of
which I attended 14 as the synodical representative, were
characterized by great commitment, enthusiasm, and de-
sire to have the Missouri Synod move forward in mission
and ministry. A more detailed report of each District’s ac-