LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 22

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22 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

department at Concordia Lutheran College of Texas
at Austin (TB 92, 6-10).

It debated the resolution to urge the Board for
Higher Education to review faculty salaries annually
and to give high priority to salary improvements. Time
expired before action could be taken on this resolution
(TB 92—93, 6-11).

The closing devotion with the Litany for Pardon and
Petition was read by Rev. Edwin H. Thompson.

Session 4

Opening July 9, Afternoon
The opening devotion was led by Rev. Norman G.
Pfotenhauer. In the service the Litany of the Holy
Trinity was used.
The minutes of the third session were approved as
read.

Committee 8— Young People’s Work

President John D. Fritz of Committee 8 introduced
Mr. Charles R. Wright, president of the Walther League.
Mr. Wright reminded the assembly that, in a time of
change, youth can and does contribute to the renewal
of the church. Mr. Wright presented five of the seven
living ex-presidents of the Walther League. Pastor Fritz
presented four young ladies who personified aspects of
the youth program. Dr. Elmer Witt introduced four
Prince of Peace Volunteers. Their message? “POPV is
people”; “everybody should get out of his ghetto”; “it’s
really hard”; “the church has to get involved and be
aware of what is going on”; “the hardest thing in the
whole world is to be a Christian.”

The convention resolved to observe the 75th anni-
versary of the Walther League in May 1968 (TB 101,
8-01). It expressed gratitude to the Walther League
and its executive board in facilitating the transfer of
the administration of youth ministry to the Board for
Young People’s Work (TB 101—102, 8-02). It received
the report of the Board for Young People’s Work with
commendation and encouragement (TB 102, 8-03).

Committee 14— Stewardship and Finance

The resolution of Committee 14 that the Synod re-
new its commitment to Ebenezer was discussed at some
length, but time ran out before action could be taken
on the resolution (TB 107, 14-08).

Committee 9-— Social Action and Welfare

The convention adopted the report of the Board of
Social Welfare (TB 111, 9-01). It resolved to support
and consult with the Lutheran Human Relations Asso-
ciation of America (TB 111—112, 9-02). It adopted the
report of the Commission for Services to the Mentally
Retarded (TB 112, 9-03).

It adopted the resolution to reinstate World Relief
in the synodical budget with the amendment that the
allocation is for administrative expenses of the board
(TB 113, 9-04).

It referred Overture 9-12 to the synodical Board of
Directors for coordination among the institutions and
Districts of the Synod (TB 114, 9-05). It referred Over-
ture 9-17 to the Board of Social Welfare for study and
implementation (TB 114—115, 9-06).

It resolved to observe the centennial of welfare work
in 1968 (TB 115, 9-07).

Committee 14— Stewardship and Finance

Since time was available, Committee 14 was granted
the floor, and the discussion on Resolution 14-08 was
resumed. A resolution to adopt was amended so that
it included not only the renewal of the Synod’s com-
mitment to Ebenezer and the request that President
Harms lead the convention in prayer but also that the
delegates and visitors would kneel for the prayer (TB
107, 14-08). While the assembly was kneeling, President
Harms prayed for forgiveness and for God’s blessings
on the Ebenezer endeavor.

Committee 7 — Parish Education

In introducing the resolutions of Committee 7, Presi-
dent William H. Kohn referred the convention to pp. 250
to 253 of the Convention Workbook. Here the report of
the Board of Parish Education portrayed the need for
parish renewal and the nature and scope of the educa-
tional task of the church and uttered a call to action.

The convention resolved to encourage the congre-
gations of the Synod to examine their educational pro-
grams, instructed the Board of Parish Education to
develop self-study documents, and exhorted the con-
gregations to use these documents (TB 116—118, 7-01).
It authorized the Board of Parish Education to ap-
point an editor-consultant in urban education (TB 119,
7-02).

The resolution to warn against prejudice (TB 120,
7-03) was discussed at some length; no action was taken
because the discussion was not yet completed.

Service of Dedication

One of the high features of the convention was the
service in which the Concordia Catechism Series was
consecrated. Dr. Justus P. Kretzmann was the minister
and Rev. Lewis C. Niemoeller the preacher for the
service. The Children’s Choir of Greater New York
sang. Dr. Walter M. Wangerin presented the books on
behalf of the Catechism Committee to Dr. Oliver Harms,
who in turn handed them to catechumens and catechists
as representatives of the church. Dr. Otto A. Dorn’s
services in promoting the Concordia Catechism Series
were recognized.

Session 5

ly 1 i
Opening July 10, Morning

Dr. Adolf F. Meyer served as chaplain for the open-
ing devotion on Monday morning, speaking on the theme
“God, the Creator of the Universe.” The assembly joined
in the Te Deum Laudamus. Dr. Harms introduced Dr.

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