LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Page 86

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 51

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

On the evening prior to the convention, First Vice-
President Oliver Harms conducted an orientation meet-
ing.

The convention was opened on Wednesday morning
with a Communion service conducted by the host con-
gregation, Zion of Cleveland. The pastor, Clarence T.
Schuknecht, served as officiant, assisted by various
clergymen of the area. Dr. E. T. Bernthal of the Board
of Directors delivered the confessional address. Dr.
Roland P. Wiederaenders, Second Vice-President of the
Synod, preached the convention sermon on 1 Corinthians
15:58, “Stand Fast, but Do Not Stand Still.”

Session 1

June 20, Afternoon
Opening Devotion

President Arnold Schneider of the Brazil District
served as liturgist in the opening devotion. In his
presidential meditation on Isaiah 66:1, 2, Dr. J. W.
Behnken discussed the attitude with which we should
open the business sessions of this convention, namely,
with deep contrition and repentance and with renewed
loyalty to God’s Word.

Organization

The Registration Committee reported 598 voting
delegates and 394 advisory members present as well
as 205 guests. A quorum having been established,
President Behnken declared the convention in session.
Pastor Herbert Mueller of Dundee, III, was appointed
Assistant Secretary.

Opening Ceremonies

Pastor Werner H. Jurgens of the Arrangements
Committee introduced Acting Mayor Ralph Locher and
Mr. E. F. Sagehorn, who welcomed the delegates to the
Cleveland area. President Edgar Homrighausen of the
Southern District responded. Various dignitaries of the
church both in this country and overseas addressed the
convention or were introduced from the floor. Other
official greetings were read.

President’s Report

In the President’s Report, Dr. Behnken listed the
various vacancies on boards and committees that were
filled by appointment, named the servants of the Synod
who had passed away during this triennium, spoke of
the doctrinal tensions within our Synod, expressed his
thanks to the Vice-Presidents, reported on various
meetings attended by him or by his representatives,
explained the developments leading up to the Wisconsin
Synod resolution suspending fellowship, and reported
that church bodies in fellowship with us have been
invited to send observers to our convention and to meet
afterwards to discuss developments. He also reported
on the work of the Board of Directors and on the ap-
pointment of Dr. Walter Wolbrecht as Executive Direc-
tor. He elaborated on the preconvention meetings of

Committee 3 and stated that the doctrinal essays on the
theme “A Confessional Church in Christendom and
in the World” would be. combined with the opening
devotions. He closed by reminding the delegates that
other Lutheran bodies are watching closely the actions
of this convention.

Convention Agenda

The convention adopted the agenda submitted in
Today’s Business with the understanding that changes
would be made at the discretion of the chair.

Official Reporters

The editors of the Lutheran Witness and of Der
Lutheraner were appointed as official reporters.

Public Relations Resolution

The convention adopted the customary resolution
channeling all public announcements and interviews
through the Public Relations Committee.

Committee Appointments Challenged

The President stated that appointments made to
Committees 3 and 6 had been challenged by correspond-
ents. He declared that the appointments would stand
unless he heard objections. No objection being heard,
it was so ordered.

President’s Statement

Dr. Behnken read a prepared statement in which
he referred to the doctrinal controversies and called
attention to the fact that if any charges are to be
brought, they should be made through the proper
channels and not published indiscriminately.

Elections Committee

The Elections Committee initiated the primary bal-
loting for the office of President. Dr. J. W. Behnken

Acting Mayor Ralph Locher {left), who officially welcomed the
convention to Cleveland, with President Edgar Homrighausen of
the Southern District, who gave the response, and Superintend-
ent Erwin F. Sagehorn of Cleveland’s Lutheran high schools,
who welcomed the delegates in the name of the area Lutherans.