LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 29

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 29

presented Dr. Harms with commemorative coins and
brought the greetings of the commissioner general of
Expo ’67,

Since the session adjourned at 12:00 noon, Dr. Harms
announced that the afternoon session would convene
at 1:45 p.m.

The session closed with prayer offered by Dr. John
H. Tietjen.

Session 11

Opening July 12, Afternoon
Mr. Walter F. Steinberg offered the opening prayer.
The minutes of the tenth session were adopted as
read.

Committee of Three

Dr. Gergely announced that there was a communi-
cation from the Lutheran Church of Australia and rec-
ommended that it be referred to the appropriate com-
mittee. The recommendation was adopted.

Award to Rev. Waldemar O. Ferber

Rev. Herbert W. Rohe presented the award, and
Rev. Howard J. Schoenfeldt read the citation in award-
ing the John of Beverley Medal to Rev. Waldemar O.
Ferber for his 44 years of service to the deaf.

Revised Agenda

Dr. Harms announced a revision in the agenda. Com-
mittees this afternoon will report in this order: 1, 2, 3,
14, 6, 16; this evening: 2, 3, 6. There were no objections.

Committee 1— Missions

The convention endorsed the selection of several
larger “community” areas as pilot projects for struc-
turing congregations for missions in such areas (TB
284, 1-27). It reaffirmed the inclusion of funds for a
series of Japanese telecasts (TB 285, 1-28).

Committee 2— Theological Matters

The discussion on the report of the Study Committee
on Censorship was resumed (see Session 8). After some
discussion the previous question was moved and carried.
The convention resolved to accept the report of the study
committee and thanked the Concordia Seminary faculty
for its years of service as the official censor (TB 142,
2-24).

It recommitted the resolution regarding accusations

about false teaching (TB 143, 2-25). It requested the
President of the Synod to remind its members of the
proper procedure in matters of doctrinal discipline and
exhorted all of them to follow these procedures (TB
143—144, 2-26). It referred the matters regarding the
“Proposed Rite for Holy Baptism” to the Commission
on Worship (TB 137, 2-17).

It declined Overtures 2-66, 2-67, and 2-68 because
many of the concerns expressed there are being dealt
with (TB 208, 2-27). ;

Committee 16 — Elections

Dr. Waldschmidt reported that no candidate for the
Board of Directors of the Synod had received a majority
of the 728 votes cast on the second runoff election. Four
candidates were presented for the third runoff election.
The election was conducted between 3:05 and 3:11 p.m.

Introductions

Dr. Harms recognized Drs. John W. Boehne, Herman
Harms, E. J. Friedrich, and Walter Birkner.

Committee 3— Church Relations

The resolution to authorize the declaration of altar
and pulpit fellowship with The American Lutheran
Church was recommitted to Committee 3 (TB 281—282,
3-22; TB 313b to 313c, 3-22).

The convention adopted an addition to Chapter XVI
of the Handbook, “B. Sister Church Fellowship,” para-
graph 16.03 (TB 279-280, 3-21; recommitted TB 50,
3-08).

It voted that the campus ministry is the direct re-
sponsibility of the District. It adopted the “Policy
Statement on Campus Ministry.” The Synod is to
continue in an advisory capacity for campus ministries,
and the convention asked that the Lutheran Council in
the U.S. A. be drawn in in a coordinative consultative
function (TB 278—279, 3-20; recommitted TB 48—49,
3-06. Note that TB 49, lines 3 to 6, are part of Reso-
lution 3-20).

The convention voted to postpone action on affiliation
with the Lutheran World Federation until 1969. It asked
that adequate consultations be arranged with the Lu-
theran World Federation, that information be supplied
to the Synod “and all her sister churches” (added by
amendment) on the consultations, and that the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations provide
guidelines “in preparation for the 1969 convention of
the Synod” (by amendment) (TB 277, 3-18).

The gathering sang the Common Doxology. Vice-
President Streufert took the chair.

Committee 14— Stewardship and Finance

The convention voted that additional opportunities
for bringing Ebenezer thankofferings be provided
through the congregations (TB 304, 14-14). It urged
every member of every congregation to become in-
volved in the Ebenezer thankoffering and exhorted the
pastors to spearhead the efforts for the offerings (TB
302—303, 14-13; recommitted TB 109, 14-11).

It resolved that the members of the Synod join to-
gether in repentance for parochialism and faithlessness,
asking God for more dedicated discipleship (TB 106
to 106a, 14-07).

It warned congregations against overextending
themselves in local welfare plans, asking them to seek
the advice of the District welfare committee, the Dis-
trict president (substituted by amendment for “its Dis-
trict in convention”), and the Synod’s Board of Social
Welfare (TB 104, 14-03).