LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 49

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT 49

for the future may color what we see now. Both prevent
us from being realistic.

What we need to recognize is a desperate dependence
on the Holy Spirit. Our earnest desire is not to build
kingdoms but to be faithful subjects to Him who reigns
from His throne of grace. While disunity among Lu-
therans and Christians betrays how badly God’s chil-
dren behave toward one another, it proclaims even
more loudly how stubbornly they refuse to obey God.
Convention resolutions will heal some breaches, and
they will make good news in the headlines. But in
this moment I pray we do not forget to resolve per-
sonally to live as brothers and sisters in Christ so the
world may know we are one with God and the Gospel
may give its witness unhindered in us and through us.

Through the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations or through my office our Synod at its own
express request has been represented at meetings or
at theological discussions with the Lutheran World
Federation, Consultation on Church Union, Lutheran
Free Conference, National Association of Evangelicals,
Roman Catholics, the National Council of Churches, the
World Council of Churches. Representation at govern-
ment conferences of national and international signifi-
cance was provided by the President’s office. The in-
formation and the insight we receive is of help to us
in understanding developments in the church and in
society in general. Beyond this it is our constant hope
that our good words and works will be of help to others
as well.

Your attention continues to be directed to the com-
mon project we have undertaken for the observance of
the 450th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
The theme, “Life —New Life,” is an eloquent witness
to the fact that Luther’s reformation touched the vital
spiritual nerve center. Almost 500 years later his in-
sights into God’s Word and his message from God’s
Word are still terribly necessary and very good. We
ought to thank God for sustaining us in this common
cause of the Gospel and for enabling us in this historic
year to pursue it with common heart and mind and
strength.

One final impression ought to be recorded here. We
live in a world that is complex, changing, and confused.
As a church body we seem to be so few and so insig-
nificant. Even in the confidence that God is at work
mightily through others we feel overwhelmed. Yet we
are not overcome. God still rules in the midst of the
confusion. In fact He orders that confusion to our
welfare. This then is our call to follow as His disciples.
We are only clay, but we are the clay that He has
brought to life by the breath of His creation and re-
Stored to second birth by the breathing of the Holy
Spirit. We are the clay, the earthen vessels, through
whom He would carry His grace to the world. We are
comforted by the presence of a vast company gathered
here, and we rejoice in the knowledge that God has
His disciples in many places. But our strength and our
victory are in Christ Jesus, who enables us to say:

“I can do all things through Christ, who strength-
eneth me.”

Let us move forward in the name of Him “who
was delivered for our offenses and was raised again
for our justification”! Amen.

APPENDIX A

At the time of adjournment in the closing session

of the 1965 convention the delegates were confronted

with 24 proposed resolutions prepared by convention

committees. There was insufficient time to deliberate

and act on these proposed resolutions. The delegates

voted to dispose of these matters by referring these

proposed resolutions to the President of the Synod.

He in turn was to consult with the Board of Directors

for the purpose of referring each proposed resolution

to the appropriate board, commission, or official. When

the Board of Directors met in August 1965, the follow-

ing referrals were made:

Res. 4-31 — to the Executive Director for implementation

Res. 4-32 — to be communicated later by the President
to synodical and District officers, boards, and exec-
utives

Res. 5-23 — to the First Vice-President

Res. 5-26 — to the Board of Directors

Res. 5-39 — to the President and his Vice-Presidents

Res. 5-40 — to the Board of Appeals

Res. 5-42 — no further referral necessary

Res. 7-07 — to the Commission on Constitutional Matters
for implementation

Res. 7-11 — to the Board of Parish Education for imple-
mentation

Res. 7-12 — to the Board of Parish Education for imple-
mentation

Res. 7-14 — to the Board of Parish Education

Res. 7-15 — to the Board of Parish Education for imple-
mentation

Res. 7-16 — to the Commission on Constitutional Matters
for implementation

Res. 7-17 — to the Board of Parish Education for study

Res. 7-18— to the President and Vice-Presidents for
study and to the Board of Parish Education for com-
munication to the Synod at large

Res. 8-06 — to the Board for Young People’s Work

Res. 8-08 — to the Board for Young People’s Work for
implementation

Res. 8-09 — to the Board for Young People’s Work in
consultation with the.Commission on Theology and
Church Relations

Res. 8-10 — to the Commission on Church Literature for
implementation

Res. 8-11 — to the President and his Vice-Presidents

Res. 16-06 — to the Executive Director for implementa-
tion

Res. 16-07 — to the Executive Director for implementa-
tion