LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 31

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 81

Chairman Nieting announced that Committee 12 had
completed its assignment.

Social Action and Welfare

Chairman Martin C. Poch for Committee 9 intro-
duced the report of the committee.

The convention endorsed ‘Project Equality” (TB
160, 9-07).

The resolution to affirm the legitimacy of black power
and black separatism (TB 161, 9-08) was recommitted.

The convention considered a resolution to ask the
church to make renewed efforts to improve the present
moral climate and to inform various public officials of
these concerns of the Synod (TB 158, 9-03). The resolu-
tion was amended to the effect that Canadian and pro-
vincial governments be informed through Lutheran
Church — Canada. It was amended further to the effect
that each member of the Synod be encouraged to write
on this matter to governmental officials. No action was
taken on the resolution for lack of time.

Registration Committee

The Registration Committee announced that the
registrations would be closed at 6 p.m. today.

Higher Education

Chairman E. C. Weber introduced the report of Com-
mittee 6.

The resolution to approve capital projects for the
schools of the Synod totaling $605,000 was read (TB
195, 6-22). The resolution to grant Alabama Lutheran
College and High School at Selma the right to launch
a special drive was also read (TB 196, 6-23). Resolved,
to postpone consideration of Res. 6-22 until Res. 6-23 has
been disposed of.

Mr. James Thomas, president of the student body at
the Selma school, was introduced and pleaded that the
assembly grant badly needed funds for the school. After
more discussion this resolution was recommitted.

Dr. Paul W. Streufert

Dr. Streufert read a statement in which he announced
that he accepted the election as Fifth Vice-President of
the Synod. He received a standing ovation for his
announcement.

Report

Dr. Oliver R. Harms read the following response:

“At the opening of our session this afternoon, the
convention was deeply moved by an experience in which
black members of our fellowship, under the leadership
of Pastor Albert Pero and Pastor Will Herzfeld, appeared
before the convention. ;

“They honored the founders and fathers of the Black
Lutherans of our church. Young people of the group
escorted to the stage: Rev. Albert Dominick, Dr. Peter
Hunt, Pastor Dewitt Robinson, Pastor Moses Dickinson,
Pastor Rockefellow Jenkins, Pastor Howard Foard, and
Pastor H. J. Lehman.

“In a very calm, deliberate, and restrained manner,
Pastor Herzfeld then listed six demands involving

priorities of the church. These are on file with the con-
vention’s secretary.

“When the presentation was completed, many per-
sons in the auditorium joined the group for a fifteen
minute interval in front of the convention hall for
prayer, singing, and sharing.

“We heard the demands. We understood the urgency.
We appreciate the love and restraint with which they
were presented. I herewith charge the respective boards,
committees, and commissions to assign priority to these
demands and to do everything in their power to see that
the needs expressed are met.

“In order that our brethren who made the presenta-
tion may know your concurrence, I would ask a voting
delegate to sponsor the following brief resolution:

“Be It Resolved, That the convention acknowledge
the demands and their urgency, recognize the love for
Christ and the church which motivated the presentation,
and concur in the charge issued by the President.”

The resolution was moved and seconded from the
floor. It was called by Dr. Roland Wiederaenders as
chairman and passed.

Elections

Fourteen ballots were distributed for the election of
various boards.

Vice-President W. Harry Krieger was in the chair
during the balloting.

Closing

Mr. Walter Hinck read the closing prayer after an-
nouncements.

Session 11

Opening July 16, Evening

The chair called the eleventh session of the con-
vention to order at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Gerhardt E. Nitz
spoke the opening prayer.

The minutes for the eighth, ninth, and tenth ses-
sions were approved as read.

Synodical Administration

Chairman E. C. Rakow introduced the report of
Committee 4.

The convention voted to consolidate the Board of
Social Ministry and the Board of World Relief (TB
250, 4-25) and established a Commission on Lutheran
Lay Higher Education (TB 250—251, 4-26). The Board
of Directors was instructed to clarify the functions of
the proposed Department of Special Resources Develop-
ment and report to the 1971 convention (TB 257, 4-32).
The convention adopted a divisional realignment of the
synodical administrative structure and advised the
Board of Directors to provide full-time heads of divi-
sions if needed (TB 251—254, 4-27). The word “con-
solidated” was inserted in line 37, p. 254. On p. 253,
line 26, the correction was made to read “Board for
Lutheran Television.”

The convention agreed that the President appoint