LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1965, Page 303

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LUTHERAN COUNCIL IN THE U.S.A. 303

E. Division of Theological Studies

Item 1. The Division of Theological Studies shall
plan, engage in, and supervise a program of theological
studies in areas which are of concern in contemporary
Christendom or which are of relevance for the attain-
ment of a Lutheran consensus in the United States of
America.

Item 2. To achieve this objective, the division may:

a. undertake and sponsor theological research and
at its discretion authorize the publication of results of
such research;

b. sponsor theological conferences involving repre-
sentatives of the participating bodies;

c. convene free theological conferences, participants
in which will not speak for or bind their respective
church bodies;

d. act for the council in establishing and maintain-
ing theological contacts beyond the participating bodies.

Item 3. The division may also convene meetings of
the presidents of the participating bodies or their rep-
resentatives, seminary administrators and faculty mem-
bers for consultation on matters relating to its studies.

Item 4. For a special study project, the division
may, upon action by the council, have associated with
it additional personnel in consultation with and upon
nomination by the participating bodies.

Item 5. The division shall advise the general secre-
tariat and the other divisions as to the theological im-
plications of their plans and work.

F. Division of Welfare Services

Item 1. The Division of Welfare Services shall assist
the participating bodies by providing means for re-
search, study, planning, and development of programs
related to social welfare needs of individuals and
groups.

Item 2. To achieve this objective, the division may
engage in the following activities:

a. study social welfare needs and opportunities of
American people and the proper responsibilities of the
cooperating bodies thereto, and authorize publication
of results of such studies;

b. aid the cooperating bodies at their request in
planning Lutheran welfare activity;

c. maintain liaison in behalf of the cooperating
bodies with appropriate governmental agencies operat-
ing public institutions;

d. serve as a clearing house for certification of chap-
lains endorsed by the cooperating bodies for service
in federally owned or operated public institutions, and
designate contact pastors to minister in behalf of the
cooperating bodies at such institutions not served by
Lutheran chaplains;

e. develop standards and procedures for approval by
the cooperating bodies in relation to certification to
their theological seminaries of Lutheran supervisors
and Lutheran centers for programs of clinical pastoral
education;

f. assist the cooperating bodies in and prepare ma-
terials for the recruitment of personnel for Lutheran
social welfare agencies and institutions, maintaining
a central registry of qualified Lutheran social welfare
personnel;

g. participate in the reception and resettlement of
immigrants and refugees in the United States, prin-
cipally those of the Lutheran confession;

h. establish mutually helpful liaison with and, upon
approval by the Executive Committee of the council,
provide staff service to national associations of persons
engaged in social welfare work;

i. maintain, as authorized by the council, relation-
ships with national social welfare organizations, govern-
mental and voluntary, channeling pertinent information
to the cooperating bodies;

j. serve as a forum and clearing house for views
and studies on social problems, such as church-state
relations, religious and civil liberties, racial and cultural
relations, national and international affairs:

k. upon approval by the council, initiate studies re-
lated to specific topics of current concern.

Item 3. The division shall supervise the following
departments:

a. Immigration and Refugee Services — to assist im-
migrants, displaced persons, and refugees, especially
those of the Lutheran faith, entering the United States;

b. Institutional Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Ed-
ucation — to assist the cooperating bodies as requested
in recruiting, training, and supervising personnel for
service as chaplains or contact pastors.

SECTION IX
Departments

Item 1. Each department shall be administered by
a division with the aid of a standing committee ap-
pointed annually upon nomination by the presidents
of the church bodies cooperating in the department.

Item 2. The size of each such standing committee
shall be set from time to time by the council, with due
regard to the interests and memberships of the bodies
cooperating in the work of the department.

Item 3. The standing committee of each department
shall, at its first meeting following each annual meeting
of the council, elect a chairman and a secretary. These
officers shall not hold office for more than three one-year
terms consecutively.

Item 4. The standing committee of each department
shall transmit promptly a copy of the minutes of each
meeting to the general secretary of the council, to the
president of each participating body, to each represen-
tative in the council, and to each member of the standing
committee of the division to which the department is
responsible.

Item 5. Regular meetings of the standing committee
of a department shall be held at times and places to be
determined by that committee. Special meetings may