LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Page 10

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PRESIDENT’S TRIENNIAL REPORT 11

to mention, however, that for a number of years our dis-
cussions in the Synodical Conference committee were
truly congenial and fraternal. Though the procedure
followed in the preparation of joint doctrinal statements
was slow, it was thorough. We came to agreement on
the doctrines of Scripture and the Antichrist. Other
doctrinal statements were in preparation.

However, when our Synod’s Committee presented its
Part II of the Theses on Fellowship, there was no
agreement. After several lengthy discussions our Wis-
consin Synod brethren announced on the morning of
our last joint meeting that we had now reached an
impasse and they would no longer meet with us as
brethren. Though we pleaded with them not to ter-
minate the discussions, it was without avail. The
procedure that had been followed in the instance of the
other documents, namely, to refer them back to the
committee after all criticism had been heard, was not
followed. Hence we were convinced that the declaration
of an impasse was premature.

When the honorable Wisconsin Synod met in Mil-
waukee, Drs. Martin Franzmann and A. C. Nitz attended
both the regular session and the meetings of the floor
committee. Your President was present one day. I was
granted the privilege of the floor. I presented the greet-
ings of our Synod and pleaded that because we were in
agreement in practically every doctrine of Scripture the
convention should not suspend fellowship with us. All
three of us were convinced that such action would be
premature. However, the convention passed the resolu-
tion to suspend fellowship. It should be said, however,
that it was not a unanimous vote.

Your Committee on Doctrinal Unity and your Pres-
ident invited the brethren of the Wisconsin Synod to
meet with us since we felt that one of the provisions in
their convention’s resolution mentioned such a possi-
bility, though not in the framework of fellowship. In
the answer to this invitation we were told that they
would await the action of our Cleveland convention.

Let me mention that the brethren of the Wisconsin
Synod are with us as observers. They asked whether
they would be permitted to be present as observers also
at the open hearings of our floor committee on Doctrinal
and Intersynodical Matters. This request was granted.

Your President, after consulting the Committee on
Doctrinal Unity, invited Lutheran bodies in fellowship
with us to send representatives to our convention. This
invitation also requested these men to meet immediately
after our convention for the purpose of discussing the
advisability of establishing closer and more frequent
contact of the church bodies in fellowship with us.
These men are with us. The meeting will be held. We
hope and pray that action will be taken which will
redound to the glory of God and serve the cause of
sound Lutheranism throughout the world.

During the past triennium the Synod’s Board of Di-
rectors, of whom the Synod expects that it do every-
thing possible to balance the budget, has sought ear-
nestly and prayerfully to face real problems in that area.
The San Francisco convention in one of its resolutions

spoke of a special offering if there should be a “widening
gap” between the income of the Synod and the deficit
in the synodical treasury. Our convention will be called
upon to face this issue. May God graciously grant us
wisdom as we view not merely the situation as we face
it today but also the tremendous challenges which the
future presents.

The Board of Directors of the Synod held regular
meetings and devoted itself faithfully to the ever-
increasing volume of business. These men spent days
upon days in consecrated service to the Lord and our
Synod, and they did this without remuneration.

The San Francisco convention, in adopting the report
of the former Survey Commission, made provision for
an Executive Director to the Board of Directors. He is
to be a liaison officer between the board and the differ-
ent departments of the Synod. For a little more than
a year Dr. W. F. Wolbrecht has been serving in that
capacity. With the consent of the Board of Directors
he has continued to aid the Board for Higher Education.
After this convention adjourns, he will devote his entire
time to the work of Executive Director of the Synod’s
Board of Directors. Dr. Lawrence B. Meyer has been
serving the Board of Directors as special consultant. To
all these men, the members of the Board, its Executive
Director, and its special consultant, I want to express
my hearty thanks for faithful services rendered.

Our floor committee on Doctrinal and Intersynodical
Matters, because of the enormous volume of work which
confronts it, was called together for a three-day meeting
May 14—16, 1962, in St. Louis. This afforded these men
the opportunity to organize, to divide into subcommit-
tees, and to begin with the study of the reports and
memorials assigned to them. The floor committee has
held preconvention meetings also since last Thursday,
June 14. Furthermore, because of some of the con-
troversial issues confronting the convention, this floor
committee held open hearings on Monday and Tuesday
of this week. I feel certain that every delegate to the
convention will pray God in all sincerity that He may
grant His Holy Spirit in abundant measure to these
men to guide them to present resolutions to the con-
vention for its consideration and action — resolutions
in full accord with Holy Writ, resolutions which will
redound to God’s glory and the welfare of our church.

Your President or one of the Vice-Presidents at-
tended the meetings of the Synod’s Board of Trustees.
This group is very faithful and conscientious in manag-
ing the Synod’s Pension Fund, the Lutheran Laymen’s
League Endowment Fund, the Lay Retirement Fund,
and other similar funds.

Your President again had the privilege of attending
and addressing the conventions of the Lutheran Lay-
men’s League, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary

League, and the Walther League. These contacts are
appreciated very much.

Your President as well as Vice-Presidents Dr. Oliver
R. Harms and Dr. George W. Wittmer attended some of
the meetings of the SELC (Slovak) convention. We
were cordially received, and each one of us was granted