LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 19

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Opening Service

The opening service of the 48th regular convention
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod was held on
Friday, July 11, 1969, beginning at 7:30 p. m., in the Red
Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colo. Rev. Paul W.
Streufert, D.D., delivered the sermon on the basis of
Hebrews 11:8-10. Rev. Gerhard H. Mundinger, Ph. D.,
was the officiant; Rev. Waldemar E. Meyer, the lector.
Mr. Paul Manz, LL. D., was the organist; Mr. Gerhard
Schroth led the singers of the choirs of the Lutheran
churches of Denver.

After the close of the service Rev. Oliver R. Harms,
D.D., President of the Synod, in accordance with its
Handbook, gave a brief orientation talk chiefly to the
delegates.

Session 1
July 12, Morning

Opening of Convention

A presession Communion service began at 7:15 on
Saturday morning, July 12, 1969, with Rev. W. Harry
Krieger, D.D., as officiant, assisted by eight pastors.
Rev. George W. Wittmer, D.D., was the leader for the
opening devotion, at which President Harms gave the
address on the basis of Rom. 1:16-17.

Rev. August R. Suelflow, D. D., director of Concordia
Historical Institute, turned over the gavel first used in
1911 at the synodical convention to the President for
use in the opening and closing sessions of this con-
vention.

Rev. M. W. Lieske, chairman of the Registration
Committee (15), reported that 456 voting pastors and
417 voting laymen had registered, a total of 873 voting
members present, easily a quorum. Thereupon Presi-
dent Harms declared the synodical convention opened
in the name of the triune God.

President’s Report

President Harms now gave the President's Report.
This report is printed in full in the ProcreprN¢s of this
convention. In his report he paid tribute to the late Rev.
Dr. John W. Behnken, Honorary President of the Synod,
and the hearers bowed their heads in tribute to him.
Dr. Harms called for a study leading to a reorganization

_ of the administrative structure of the Synod. He paid

special attention to the implementation of New York
convention Resolution 3-23 re fellowship with The
American Lutheran Church and the recommendation of
the Council of Presidents to the present convention. He
told about relations with other church bodies and the
Lutheran Council in the United States of America. He
committed the guidance of the convention to the Lord.
A standing ovation greeted him at the close of the
report.

Greetings

Dr. Gerhard H. Mundinger presented Mr. Walter
Koch, who in turn presented the Honorable Governor

of the State of Colorado, John A. Love. His Excellency
addressed the convention briefly. Dr. Mundinger also
presented the President of the Colorado District, Rev.
Waldemar E. Meyer. Pastor Meyer welcomed the con-
vention on behalf of the District and gave due recog-
nition to the Convention Arrangements Committee.

President Harms introduced Rev. Lawrence B.
Meyer, D. D., former synodical Planning Counselor, Rev.
Herman Harms, D.D., a former Vice-President of the
Synod, and Rev. Walter C. Birkner, D.D., past Secre-
tary of the Synod.

Elections

Dr. Harms gave the floor to the Committee on Elec-
tions: A question of privilege led to the response that
Robert’s Rules of Order would be the parliamentary
rules for the convention. A motion carried that the
program for today as printed in Today’s Business be
adopted and followed as closely as possible.

Rev. Arlen Bruns, chairman of the Committee on
Elections (14), explained the procedures for the elec-
tions. The nominating ballot for President of the Synod
was held.

Greetings

During the balloting President W. Th. Janzow of
Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebr., presented
two young ladies who are students at the school: Miss
Jane Briggemann, Miss Nebraska of 1969; Miss Lois
Koth, Miss Iowa of 1969. They gave gifts to President

- Harms.

19

Mr. Walter Koch presented Mr. Richard L. Shannon.
As deputy and Acting Mayor of the City and County
of Denver, he brought the greetings of the ill Mayor,
Mr.. W. H. MecNichols Jr.

Work Program Review

Rev. C. A. Heckmann, chairman of the Work Pro-
gram Review Committee (16), explained the functions
of this committee. A meeting of the committee will be
held Thursday evening. Every addition to the financial
commitments should be considered in the light of the
willingness to implement the commitments.

Nominations

Mr. Walter W. Kayser, chairman of the Board for
Convention Nominations (13), presented the report of
this board, Workbook, pp. 482-486. The following addi-
tions and corrections were made: Board of Directors,
add Gerhardt E. Nitz; Board for Missions, read W. A.
Kamrath, not William Kamrath; Board for Young Peo-
ple’s Work, delete Norman E. Walter, add Victor A.
Bartelt; Board of Appeals, delete Armin W. Hesse, add

Enno Gahl; Board of Control, Austin, delete Louis L.

Pabor, add Elmo Miertschin; Board of Control, Bronx-
ville, add George H. Mueller; Board of Control, Win-
field, Eugene C. Straub, change of address; for the
schools in South America delete the designations
“Slate 1” and “Slate 2.”