LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 30

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80 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

The services of the Commission on Architecture are
valuable and available (TB 263—264, 11-20).

The convention received the LLL report with com-
mendation and gratitude (TB 217, 11-12).

It received the letter of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of England with thanks (TB 262—263, 11-18).

The report of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod Foundation was received gratefully (TB 264,
11-21). Designated structures within the Synod were
urged to become acquainted with and to use the services
_of this Foundation (TB 49, 11-10).

Parish Education and Services

Chairman H. W. Niermann continued the report of
Committee 7 with Dr. George Wittmer in the chair.

The convention urged every congregation of the
Synod to develop a variety of learning settings and
experiences for all its members by means of various
measures (TB 140—141, 7-03). After some debate it
encouraged designated synodical agencies to launch
a wide-reaching research program in Christian educa-
tion (TB 141—142, 7-04).

A resolution to reaffirm the 1965 resolution on fed-
eral aid for children in nonpublic schools and to favor
boards helping to shape such legislation was amended,
but time did not permit discussion or resolution of the
amendment (TB 142, 7-05).

Closing
After announcements had been made, Rev. Robert
Zehnder offered the closing prayer.

Session 10

Opening July 16, Afternoon

Mr. Walter F. Steinberg spoke the opening prayer.

Missions

Dr. Harms announced that with the consent of the
Board of Directors he had invited Pastors Albert Pero
Jr. and Will Herzfeld to come forward with a group.
About 30 blacks came forward with them. Pastors Pero
and Herzfeld spoke to the assembly. They presented
the Rev. Messrs. Dominick, Hunt, Robinson, Lehman,
Dickinson, Jenkins, and Foard. The convention gave
these seven veterans a standing ovation with sustained
applause. Pastor Herzfeld presented six demands to the
convention. In conclusion, Pastor Pero thanked Dr.
Harms for allowing time to them.

Theological Matters

Chairman Victor L. Behnken of Committee 2 referred
the convention to the resolution to grant woman suffrage
and board membership, which had been postponed (TB
77, 2-17). There was considerable discussion on this
resolution. A substitute motion was defeated. Miss San-
dra Grand, a youth representative, was permitted to
address the assembly and spoke in favor of the motion.
The resolution was adopted.

The convention agreed that the Synod has spoken
on the authorship of the Pentateuch and the Book of

Isaiah and directed the authors of specified overtures

to direct their questions to the Commission on Theology .

and Church Relations (TB 66, 2-01).

It encouraged all its members to recognize the mag-
nitude of God’s blessings, especially in reference to the
three solas, and reaffirmed the resolution of the 1967
New York convention (2-26) regarding the proper ac-
tion in doctrinal discipline (TB 67, 2-02). It again de-
clared that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and that the
Scriptures are the verbally inspired and infallible Word
of God (TB 67—68, 2-03. See Proceedings, 1967, p. 92,
2-16; and Proceedings, 1965, p. 94, 2-01).

It reaffirmed Res. 2-08 of the 1965 convention, com-
mended. the President for his efforts in doctrinal super-
vision, and asked such continued supervision (TB 69,
2-06). The committee added the reference 2-72U (URO,
p.10) and corrected TB, p.70, line 4, to read “1962”
instead of ‘1963.”

After this resolution the assembly sang the Creed.

Stewardship and Finance; Retirement and Benefits

Chairman Ellis Nieting brought the report of Com-
mittee 12. The convention asked the Stewardship De-
partment to develop and implement programs for des-
ignating specific mission areas for budgetary purposes
(TB 86, 12-06). It resolved that the Districts should
adequately support the work of the Synod and asked
for planned budgets (TB 87-88, 12-07). Line 52 of
TB 87 was changed to read “in addition to” instead of
“exclusive of.” The subject of the resolution, TB 87,
line 6, was changed to read “To Limit Budget to Dis-
trict Commitments and Sundry Income.” The conven-
tion resolved that materials should be developed about
the conservation of human and natural resources (TB
88, 12-08).

The Synod urged the congregations to make special
efforts to meet the 1969 budget of the Synod. The resolu-
tion was amended to read: “Resolved, That we urge
each congregation to put forth a special effort to exceed
its regular commitment and also to support whole-
heartedly the Synodwide special offering scheduled for
the 30th of November, 1969, so that our 1969 program
may be completed” (TB 148, 12-19). Line 15 “kingdom”
was changed to “church.” It was pointed out that on the
30th of November at 2:05 a.m. the District commitments
will have been spent and that on the 3d of December at
7:11 a.m. all promised funds will be exhausted.

The convention declined the proposed $30,000,000
offering and participation in the LCUSA Open End
Appeal, and asked that appropriate recommendations
be brought to the 1971 convention (TB 271, 12-23).
A motion to recommit was lost. An amendment to em-
power the Board of Directors to investigate the Open
End Appeal with permission to engage in the effort was
lost by 424 negative votes to 273 affirmative votes.

The signatures for Res. 12-23 and 12-24 on TB pages
272 and 273 are corrected to read: Ellis Nieting, chair-
man, and John P. Uhlig, secretary.

The convention certified that it wanted the Synod
to try the “Venture of Faith” again (TB 272—273, 12-24).

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