LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 25

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 25

Districts when geographical Districts are made (TB
153—154, 5-15).

Observers of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
and Evangelical Lutheran Synod

President Harms recognized the observers of the
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod: President Oscar
J. Naumann, Professor Oscar J. Siegler, Rev. E. Arnold
Sitz, and Prof. Carl J. Lawrenz. He also recognized
the observers of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod: Rev.
Juul B. Madson and Rev. T. N. Teigen.

Theological Matters

The chairman of Committee 2, Dr. Victor Behnken,
announced that Resolution 2-22 (TB 81) has already
been adopted in a previous resolution (TB 72, 2-09).

The Synod resolved that arrangements be made for
the inclusion of laymen in theological conferences (TB
75, 2-14) and asked the Commission on Theology .and
Church Relations to coordinate several studies on or-
dination and the church’s various ministries (TB 75—76,
2-15).

After considerable discussion it declined the overture
seeking to restore the word “true” in the Catechism on
the Sacrament of the Altar (TB 78—79, 2-18).

It accepted the reports of the Commission on Worship
(TB 79—80, 2-19). It was explained that this resolution
accepted the reports of the commission, not the Worship
Supplement.

The Synod declined the overture to produce a sub-
stitute for the document “Christian Discipline in The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod” (TB 80, 2-20). By
resolution it shared concerns on questions of Biblical
hermeneutics and requested the concerned congregation
to continue its study (TB 74, 2-13).

It commended the position paper of the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations on “Death, Resur-
rection, and Immortality” and referred it to the 1971
convention for action (TB 81, 2-21).

Stewardship and Finance; Retirement and Benefits

Chairman E. Nieting presented the report of Com-
mittee 12.

The convention adopted a commendation for Dr.
John E. Herrmann with a rising vote and applause.
Dr. Harms read and presented the citation to Dr. Herr-
mann, who expressed his thanks (TB 82, 12-01).

The convention accepted the report of the Board of
Trustees for Trust Funds (TB 89, 12-09) and the report
of the Board of Pensions and Support, commended the
Work Committee, making it a regular feature of this
board, and asked that it review some designated features
of the Pension Plan (TB 89—90, 12-10). It accepted the
report of the Board of Managers for Concordia Welfare
Plan, Concordia Survivor Plan, and Concordia Retire-
ment Plan (TB 90—91, 12-11). The overture to raise
the minimum monthly pension was declined after a mo-
tion to recommit was lost (TB 91—93, 12-12).

Elections
Chairman Bruns of the Committee on Elections an-
nounced that the candidates for the third ballot for

First Vice-President are: Theodore Nickel, E. C. Weber,
Roland Wiederaenders.

Stewardship and Finance; Retirement and Benefits

The convention declined the overtures to permit
withdrawal of Pension Plan contributions and pension
retirement accumulations (7B 93, 12-13) and made no
changes for additional vesting in the Retirement and
Pension Plans (TB 94, 12-14). Resolution 12-15 (TB 95)
dealing with changes in the scope of participation in
these plans could not be acted on.

Dr. Fredrik A. Schiotz

President Harms introduced the Reverend Dr. Fred-
rik A. Schiotz, president of The American Lutheran
Church and of the Lutheran World Federation. Dr.
Schiotz thanked the convention for the hearty welcome
it gave him and other evidences of goodwill toward
The American Lutheran Church. He spoke in personal
terms of his ministry. He pointed out that The American
Lutheran Church has adopted the “Joint Statement and
Declaration” and disclaimed allegations of hypocrisy in
The American Lutheran Church in respect to the mean-
ing of “inerrant.” He reported that 18 district conven-
tions of The American Lutheran Church have ratified
the Omaha resolution of 1968 regarding fellowship with
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod by 94.7% of all
ballots. He said: “If you accept our proffered hand, we
will regard it as God’s gift to our people. If you do
not find it in your hearts to do that, many of our people
will ask, ‘Is God’s Spirit pointing us in new directions?’ ”
He also said, “May the Lord turn His face towards you.”
On behalf of The American Lutheran Church he ex-
tended congratulations to Dr. Preus as the newly elected
President of the Synod and invoked the blessing of
God’s Spirit that He might give Dr. Preus a large
measure of the spirit of faithfulness, integrity, openness,
and persevering Christian kindness which Dr. Harms
displayed. A standing ovation with sustained applause
greeted Dr. Schiotz at the conclusion of his address.

Later on the chair allowed a question of Dr. Schiotz,
who had agreed to answer it. A delegate asked: “Do
you believe that The American Lutheran Church can
wait for two or four more years for the Missouri Synod
decision on fellowship in view of the concerns within the
Synod?” Dr. Schiotz replied that this was an exceed-
ingly difficult question, that any church body must make
decisions being fully persuaded. He repeated his state-
ment that many within The American Lutheran Church
might regard the refusal of the fellowship resolution by
the Missouri Synod as a directive to The American Lu-
theran Church to look for new directions. Many within
his synod are impatient, he stated; he hoped that his
answer would not be misunderstood.

Social Action and Welfare
Dr. Martin C. Poch, chairman of Committee 9,
presented Rev. Harold Huxhold, who read “A Statement
of Principle on Social Action” (TB 162—165, 9-09).
The Synod reaffirmed Resolutions 9-08, 9-10, 9-12,
9-13, 9-15, and 2-29 of the New York convention in 1967,