LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 4

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After New York

The last gavel had hardly sounded when it seemed
that interpretations of the 1967 Missouri Synod conven-
tion were already circulating, some of them perceptive,
some quite fanciful.

This book contains the record of what was really
said and done at the convention. It should now be pos-
sible to measure interpretations against the facts.

In addition to the many, many matters referred to in
the official minutes, perhaps the following items of in-
formation should be mentioned here for the sake of the
record:

~All sessions and committee meetings were held in
the New York Hilton Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, N. Y.

—Some convention floor committees began their
work already on July 3.

— The opening service with Holy Communion was
held in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the
evening of Friday, July 7, with St. Matthew’s Lu-
theran Congregation of New York (Dr. A. W.
Trinklein, pastor) serving as host congregation.
Dr. Theodore Nickel of Chicago, Second Vice-
President of the Synod, was the preacher. Dr.
Karl Graesser and the Rev. R. P. F. Ressmeyer
officiated.

—The theme of the convention was “Justified by
Grace” in recognition of the 450th anniversary of
the Reformation.

— One of the “unofficial” highlights of the convention
was the sacred concert on Sunday evening, July 9,
at Philharmonic Hall, Lincoln Center, featuring
the Heritage Singers, under the direction of
Dr. Ralph C. Schultz, and Dr. Paul Manz, master

of the organ.
* * *

Some, perhaps many, of the delegates must have left
the Big City humming the words:

New York! New York!
It’s a wonderful town!

But down to the last man they must have left with
the conviction that even more wonderful had been the
opportunity —in many instances a “once in a lifetime”
opportunity — to have a part in a great venture for our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

They had participated. They had talked. They had
listened. They had evaluated. They had prayed. They
had sung. They had sat. They had stood. They had
voted!

Had they always voted right? A question like that
can haunt men of integrity. Whatever had been right
God would bless. Of that the delegates could be certain.
But even more reassuring was the conviction: Whatever
had been wrong God would forgive for Jesus’ sake and
in His mercy turn to good account. The delegates could
go on their way with this warm assurance, for they had
learned once again that this too is included when God
justifies a sinner by His free grace.

* * *

These PROCEEDINGS contain at least one innovation.
We have added in small type to some resolutions infor-
mation concerning amendments accepted or rejected, as
well as other meaningful data. It is hoped that this will
lead to a clearer understanding of the thinking of the
convention on the points at issue and aid the interpretive
process.

A word on abbreviations. CW is the symbol for
Convention Workbook, the 426-page book of reports
and overtures submitted to the convention. URO stands
for Unpublished Reports and Overtures, a pamphlet dis-
tributed only to accredited delegates. TB refers to To-
day’s Business, a daily mimeographed manual bringing
the text of the proposed resolutions drafted by the floor
committees.

Perhaps for a change it might be permissible to refer
to the many unnamed saints of God who contribute so
much to the production of these pre- and post-con-
vention volumes. We should like to mention especially
Carl S. Meyer, Erich B. Allwardt, Luther Poellot, Fran-
ces Miller, Lillian Christians, and a particularly dear

; ;
saint, Pat Mueller! Hersert MUuELier, Secretary