LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1965, Page 7

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PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

President Oliver R. Harms, D.D.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some
men count slackness, but is long-suffering to usward, not
willing that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be-
loved delegates, guests, and visitors to the forty-sixth
regular convention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod:

As we open this convention of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, we carry on a tradition that now
reaches back 118 years. These years seem to be a long
span only because they are filled with so many memories
of God’s abundant and gracious blessings. But when we
take our stand where our founding fathers stood, firm
and united on God’s sure Word, then time shrinks and
the past and present merge. And when we look ahead
a century with the vision and faith God grants, genera-
tions yet to come will bless the memory of what God
is doing through us here and now — if God permits our
world to stand so long.

It seems to be only a matter of days since we were
last assembled as delegates of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod at Cleveland, Ohio. Most of the rep-
resentatives present now did not attend the 1962 con-
vention. Yet it was the entire Synod in convention then
even as it is the entire Synod in convention now. We
have come together for a great purpose. We have mag-~
nificent objectives. It is our responsibility to be faithful
to our God, to our fathers, and to our children by carry-
ing out these objectives and purposes.

There are various ways of viewing the past three
years. As grateful children of God we mark these three
years by counting some of God’s very apparent bless-
ings. In three years God has added approximately
180,000 members to His family in our Synod. This is
a net gain over what we had in 1962. And if we recog-
nize with sorrow and regret that congregations have
meanwhile stricken, dropped, or lost nearly 100,000
members, then our total membership now includes
280,000 whom we did not have in 1962.

In addition, God has given us 3,000 new pastors,
teachers, and other church workers since 1962. And
think of this: Since we met last, God has moved our
members to give $70,000,000 for the world mission of
the church carried on by the Synod. These are the gifts
of God we have used with care and even frugality in
order that God’s reign might be strengthened among us
and extended through us.

I must confess that during these past three years we
have again demonstrated our utter unworthiness. We
have failed to trust the promises of God, though they are
as sure as His mercy in Christ. We have failed to trust
one another fully, though we know the Holy Spirit is
at work in us. We have failed to make use of mission-
ary opportunities God has given us, though He Himself
provided payment for the sins of all men everywhere.

As a result of our failure, people near and far may
have suffered and perished without help, without hope,
and without Jesus Christ. This is tragic.

Our record since 1962 is also marred by lethargy
and by contentiousness. Some of the results showed up
in dissension and dispute. Others showed up in deficits
and debts. All showed up as liabilities instead of as
assets for the kingdom of God and its victories.

But where our sin abounded, God’s grace abounded
even more. The Holy Spirit used the memory of our
failings to bring us low in repentance. The same Spirit
has lifted us up by the Word of forgiveness. The bless-
ings which we now can count are proof that God does
love us, that God is able to channel His perfect mercy
and healing to the world, even through vessels as frail
as we are.

It is hardly necessary to say that questions have been
raised about doctrinal matters. Is it true what we hear?
Where do we stand? What should we believe, and what
should we proclaim? Are we still faithful to the Word
of God and the Lutheran Confessions?

In themselves the questions are good, We are only
stewards of the mysteries of God and are accountable
to the God whose Word we speak. The keys of the
Kingdom which we handle belong to God. We are to be
ready at all times to give an answer of the hope that
is in us to everyone who asks us.

Precisely because it is God’s work, He will safeguard
it now as He has in the past. Because we are His vessels,
shaped by His hand and His Spirit, we must look to Him
to keep us faithful. Because we are His church, we
must look to Him and follow His guidance through dark
valleys and through the maze of pathways that lie ahead.

There are those who have not been content merely
to ask questions and to seek responsible answers. Pub-
lic accusations have been heard. To our dismay, mem-
ber bodies with us in the Synodical Conference in the
past have withdrawn from us. Though we have invited
them to come nearer, they have declined. I regret to
say they feel their separation to be so complete that
they are even unable to bring us a word of greeting at
this convention.

Negative criticisms have been made and spread in
such a way that innocent people, not acquainted with
the theological problems or the facts, have been both
confused and disturbed. The faith of some has been
shaken brutally and unnecessarily. Carelessness has
added to uncertainty and dismay. Propaganda has pro-
duced impatience, suspicion, fear, and dissension. Re-
sponsible leaders have been hindered in discharging
their duties. The work of our Lord’s kingdom among us
and through us has been hampered.

In our anxiety we have waited hopefully for the time
when we might come together. We have looked forward
to this occasion when we might share the concerns which
our Synod has for doctrine and life, for the faith and
activity of the church. This is one of the primary pur-