LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Page 11

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

12 PRESIDENT'’S ‘TRIENNIAL REPORT

an opportunity to address the brethren. On March 20,
1962, your President attended the funeral of President
Dr. Paul Rafaj, whom God called home very suddenly
and unexpectedly, and expressed our Synod’s sincere
sympathy.

Vice-President Dr. Oliver R. Harms, Dr. Martin
Steege, and your President met with the executives of
the National Evangelical Lutheran Church (Finnish) to
discuss with them matters pertaining to a possible
merger of our churches. Practically all pastors of this
church body are graduates of our Concordia Seminary,
Springfield, Il. For many years the Finnish brethren
have been supporting one of their men on the faculty
at that seminary.

The Lutheran World Federation has again extended
an invitation to our Synod to send official observers to
its Assembly in Helsinki in 1963.

Delegates will note on the convention program that
we are combining the brief doctrinal essays with the
opening devotions. The general topic chosen is “A Con-
fessional Church in Christendom and in the World.”

Dr. H. J. A. Bouman, Dr. Martin Koehneke, Dr. Fred
Kramer, and Prof. Willis Laetsch will serve as essayists.
Thus we shall hear a faculty member from every termi-
nal school. Since these essays are of a devotional
character, every delegate will want to be present on
time.

The book of Reports and Memorials contains the
reports of our boards and committees, which have ren-
dered faithful work to the Synod. We thank them for

the service rendered. Some of the floor committees
have met or will meet to study thoroughly these re-
ports as well as the many memorials, or overtures,
which have been presented. These committees will
prepare and suggest proper resolutions to the conven-
tion. We are grateful to these men, who are willing
to devote their time and talents to this important work.

Brethren, we are facing busy days. The resolutions
we adopt will be not only important but also of far-
reaching consequences. The eyes of many are focused
on our Cleveland convention. Lutherans in fellowship
with us are waiting with bated breath to find out what
resolutions we have passed. Lutherans throughout the
world await the outcome of things at this convention.
God grant that every one of us may realize the tre-
mendous responsibility which rests on us. May our
good heavenly Father bestow on us a rich measure
of His Holy Spirit that there may resound from this body
a strong voice for the cause of Christ, for the inerrancy
and doctrinal integrity of the inspired Word of God,
and for the unwavering acceptance of the Symbolical
Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true
and correct exposition of God’s Word. With these God-
given convictions in our hearts we shall go forward
with deep gratitude for all that Christ has done for
us and willingly and eagerly embrace the opportunities
He offers us and accept the challenges our convention
faces. May God graciously grant us wisdom, motivation,
and courage for the task. We ask it in Jesus’ name.
Amen.