LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1965, Page 60

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Session 1

June 16, Morning

Opening Devotion

Vice-President Arthur C. Nitz served as liturgist in
the opening devotion. Dr. Oliver R. Harms based his
presidential address on 2 Peter 3:9, sketching the record
of the past triennium and referring to our present
responsibilities and opportunities in the light of our
Lord’s promised return.

Organization

The Registration Committee reported 688 voting
members present. A quorum having been established,
President O. Harms declared the convention in session.
Pastor Herbert Mueller was appointed Assistant Sec-
retary.
Committee 18 — Registration, Credentials, Excuses

The convention adopted a resolution of the Cre-
dentials Committee (TB, p. 56, 18-01) seating a dele-
gate from the Ohio District in the face of a challenge.
Opening Ceremonies

Rev. Paul Heinecke of the Convention Arrange-
ments Committee made various announcements and also
introduced Dr. W. Harry Krieger, President of the
Michigan District and Mayor Jerome P. Cavanagh of
Detroit, who addressed the convention. The delegates
also heard from Dr. John Kovac, President of the Synod
of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. The Chairman
appointed Otto Sohn and Martin W. Mueller as Official
Reporters and the following committee to screen late
overtures: Prof. Arthur Wahlers, chairman, and Pastors
William H. Wuthrich of Texas and Emil Heino of Ohio.
The time for sessions was set as follows: 8:15—12:00
and 1:30—5: 00.

Public Relations Resolution
The convention adopted the customary resolution
channeling all public announcements and interviews
through the Public Relations Department.
Committee 17 — Elections © :
Primary balloting for the office of President was held
during this session.
Rev. Walter E. Dorre spoke the closing prayer.

Session 2

June 16, Afternoon

Rev. James W. Mayer conducted the opening
devotion.

Greetings

Mrs. George W. Romney, wife of the Governor of
Michigan, brought greetings. Dr. O. Harms responded
with appropriate words to both Mrs. Romney and Mayor

Cavanagh.

60

President’s Report

Dr. Oliver Harms then presented his official presiden-
tial report expressing gratitude to many who had assisted
him and dwelling especially on questions of doctrinal
concern and supervision, attendance at many meetings
within the Synod, communication with the members of
the Synod, the work of the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations, contacts with overseas churches
and mission fields, relations with other Lutheran bodies,
and contacts with other Christian denominations.

Committee 4— Synodical Administration

The convention created a Fifth Vice-Presidency (TB
56, 4-01), decided to continue to elect the Board of
Stewardship, Mission Education, and Promotion (TB
57, 4-02), made necessary provisions for elections and
terms of office in view of the introduction of biennial
conventions (TB 57, 4-03), and reaffirmed the pro-
cedures for electing the President and Vice-Presidents
(TB 58, 4-04).

Committee 19 —- Nominations

The Committee on Convention Nominations pre-
sented its amended list of nominees (see TB 59, 60).
The following additions were made from the floor: Board
for World Missions —- Pastors Lorman M. Petersen,
Arthur C. Repp, Edward A. Westcott; Church Exten-
sion Board— Layman Vernon ‘Pate; Commission on
Theology and Church Relations— Pastors Alvin E.
Wagner and Wilbert Rosin, Teacher Wilbert H. Rusch.
However, since the convention had adopted TB 57, 4-03,
the slates for the Board of Support and Pensions and
for the Operating Board of KFUO were not submitted
to the assembly. The convention then resolved to close
the nominations.

Committee 10 — Pension and Welfare Program

Resolutions were adopted amending the regulation
restricting earnings. of pensioned: workers (TB 64,
10-02), permitting discontinuance of contribution pay-~
ments after the age of 72 (TB 65, 10-03), and eliminat-
ing the privilege of additional contributions to the Pen-
sion Fund after July 1, 1965 (TB 66, 10-04). Mr. George
Matzat of the new Concordia Retirement and Welfare
Plans spoke briefly. The convention received the report
of the Board of Managers (TB 69, 10-07), urged general
participation (TB 69, 10-08 as reworded by the com-
mittee), made a necessary Handbook revision (TB 67,
10-05), and adopted resolutions withdrawing Recom-
mendation 5 of the Board’s report (TB 67, 10-06) and
declaring that no further action was necessary on Over-
ture 10-06 (TB 70, 10-09).

Committee 17 — Elections

During the previous presentation the Committee on
Elections distributed ballots for President containing the
names of Oliver Harms, Oswald Hoffmann, W. Harry
Krieger, Theodore Nickel, Roland Wiederaenders. At