LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 35

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 35

Dr. Karl Graesser, Rev. Arlin Maas, Mr. Fred Puelle,
Rev. Theodore Wittrock, Mrs. Dorothy Bierman, Rev.
Clarence Dohrman, Mr. G. A. Killenberg, Mr. Melvin
Luebke, Rev. Louis Meyer, Rev. Rudolph Ressmeyer.

Committee 18 — Work Program Review

The work program for the years 1968—1969 was
presented. The convention adopted Resolutions I and II.
It urged all pastors and delegates to present the work
program to the congregations and asked the congrega-
tions to dedicate at least 30 percent of their total
offerings to the Districts and the Synod. By amend-
ment to the resolution it was resolved: “That we ask
the President and boards of the Synod to seek to
encourage our members to find the joy and blessing
of the example of Christian tithing” (TB 413—415,
I-II).

With this Committee 18 completed its work.

Committee 2— Theological Matters

The convention received the document of the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations on “Civil
Obedience and Disobedience” (TB 209, 2-29).

After defeating two amendments and a resolution to
extend the time, the convention adopted the resolution
to pledge loyalty and obedience in military service and
discouraged selective conscientious objection (TB 313d,
2-35).

It reaffirmed the principle of “close Communion,”
allowing for exceptions in situations of emergency and
in special cases of pastoral care (TB 139, 2-19).

It asked that studies on the diaconate, work and
leisure, therapeutic abortion, sterilization, and eutha-
nasia be made available to the membership of the Synod
(TB 209, 2-28).

It reaffirmed the Synod’s position on the inerrancy
of the Scriptures, universal atonement, the resurrection
of Christ, and the immortality of the soul. By amend-
ment “appeased God’s wrath” was changed to read
“propitiated God’s wrath” (TB 210, 2-30).

It declined Overture 2-69, which asked that River
Forest seminar papers be submitted to the President
of the Synod and others and referred this matter to
the River Forest Board of Control (TB 234—235, 2-32).

It declined Overtures 2-19, 2-45, and 2-103 U, asking
for the election of a Board of Inquiry (TB 235—236,
2-33).

By formal resolution it thanked the academic staffs
of the Synod’s seminaries and colleges (TB 283, 2-34).

It adopted the recommendation to commend “A Re-
view of the Question ‘What Is a Doctrine?’” for study
and discussion and report to the 1969 convention (TB
313e, 2-36).

It declared capital punishment in accordance with
Scripture and the Confessions (TB 403—404, 2-38).

It accepted the report of the Joint Commission on
the Theology and Practice of Confirmation (TB 403,
2-39). With this Committee 2 completed its work.

Parliamentarian William vonSpreckelsen was ex-
cused at this point. Rev. Arnold Wessler took over

as parliamentarian. Dr. Harms praised the convention
for the attendance at the sessions, which he said was
the best in many years.

Committee 6— Colleges and Seminaries

The convention gave permission to the Board for
Higher Education to close synodical high schools where
continued existence is indefensible (TB 190, 6-13).

It declined to change the method of calling college
and seminary presidents (TB 190, 6-14).

It added section 6.37 to the Handbook (TB 192, 6-17).

It adopted the statements on the roles of the individ-
ual schools in the Synod’s system of ministerial educa-
tion. The paragraph under “California Concordia, Oak-
land, Calif.” was changed to read: “maintain present
pattern of organization and offerings.” In the paragraphs
on the schools at River Forest and Seward the clause
was eliminated: “assist the Board for Higher Education
in studying the desirability of introducing the first two
years of pastoral education” (TB 253—254, 6-31).

It declined Overture 6-73U (TB 256, 6-33) and
Overture 6-74U (TB 287, 6-37).

It accepted the report of the Committee on Colloquies
for the Pastoral Office (TB 191, 6-15).

The convention received the requests for college and
seminary capital projects and referred the priority list-
ing to the Board of Directors for final action on recom-
mendation of the Board for Higher Education (TB 318
to 330, 6-43). This resolution was amended: “Resolved,
That the Board of Directors and the Board for Higher
Education study the possibility and feasibility of car-
rying out building and remodeling projects on such
synodical college and seminary campuses where cir-
cumstances permit this through the use of donated vol-
unteer help; and be it further Resolved, That the
leadership of colleges and Districts which stand to
benefit most from the construction projects strive
earnestly to enlist manpower to execute such projects.”

Extension of Time

The convention agreed by common consent at 12:00
noon to continue until the completion of the convention
business.

President Harms offered a prayer for Mr. Clarence
Amling, who was stricken ill last night.

Committee 6— Colleges and Seminaries

The convention withheld permission to expand two
junior colleges into senior colleges and asked the Board
for Higher Education to continue its study of the need
for additional 4-year schools (TB 354—355, 6-51).

It approved the expansion of the campus at Portland,
Oreg. (TB 353—354, 6-50).

It referred the request of Concordia at Sao Paulo to
the Board for Missions (TB 286, 6-34).

It referred the request to establish a higher educa-
tion study committee to the Board for Higher Educa-
tion (TB 287, 6-36) and asked this board to report its
study on outlining procedures to the 1969 convention
(TB 286, 6-35).