LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 113

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RESOLUTIONS 113

When we talk about politicking, we need to define
what we mean. We believe we all recognize that there
are forms of so-called politicking that may well be
proper and in good order. We believe we all recognize
that there are other forms and types of so-called poli-
ticking that in the framework of the church are both
wrong and bad. Anytime politicking takes on the form
or the impression of violating the Eighth Commandment
of God’s holy law, it’s sin and it’s wrong.

Some practices that have been carried on in recent
years by various groups, such as using mailings to
delegates of preferred or acceptable nominees for office,
are totally contrary to the practices that have prevailed
in our church in the past.

We need to recognize, brethren, that these practices
of so-called politicking reflect upon the church. What
is said and the manner in which a thing is done speak
not only for the individual or group involved in doing
these things. When they are doing them as a part of
a church body, they reflect upon that church body. Such
incidents and events come to the attention and the
knowledge of the public, and on the basis of this knowl-
edge the public judges the church. These practices
can also readily become a divisive factor which only
divides and disrupts the church. We need to stop
and take serious account of ourselves, each and every
one of us. We need to search our hearts and minds.
We need to search our understanding, our concept of
the function and work of the church. We need to seek
and search our understanding of our relationship to
one another as Christian brothers. It is against these
self-searching investigations that we judge and evalu-
ate what we as individuals or as groups ought to do
in these matters.

In the hearings there were two areas of concern
expressed by most of those who spoke. One was the
question “What is proper procedure in promoting or
opposing either an individual or an issue before the
church?” The other concern widely expressed dealt
with some means of obtaining better information so
that the delegates, and particularly the laymen, might
perform their serious duty of electing officers and mem-
bers of boards and commissions for our Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod more intelligently and wisely.

In the course of our committee sessions since Mon-
day evening, we have not been able by any means to
enunciate or to delineate any specific policy or program
that we would like to present to you at the convention.
But we do believe, brethren, that in earnest Christian
love for one another and out of an earnest concern
for the well-being of our beloved church, we need to
stop and take a good, strong, long, serious look at these
matters that reflect upon us and our church. It is against
this background that we present to you two resolutions
that deal with these particular concerns.

Wuereas, Many earnest concerns have been voiced
about the propriety of various methods used to per-
suade and influence delegates in their voting for candi-
dates or on issues; and

Wuereas, A general confusion and bewilderment is

felt by many in the Synod about the kind of activities
they may legitimately pursue in obtaining information
or in soliciting support for their convictions; and

Wuereas, These issues deal in a most profound way
with the very life-style of the Synod and are altogether
too complex to be given the comprehensive and intense
study they demand during the course of a convention;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod instruct the Council of
Presidents to develop and publish a statement on ethics
and honorable and acceptable practices associated with
avenues of communication designed to inform the Synod
at large and convention delegates in particular.

Action: Adopted as amended (16).

(The assembly resolved that the introductory statement
of the committee chairman should be incorporated in the
resolution as a preamble and distributed among the members
of the Synod.)

To Study Election Procedure
RESOLUTION 4-39

Convention Referral

Wuereas, The current method of electing the ad-
ministrative officers of the Synod no longer appears
adequate for enabling all delegates to a synodical con-
vention to make an intelligent decision in casting their
votes; and

Wuereas, Many delegates have stated that they lack
the necessary information concerning all candidates,
and we recognize the need of such information; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, with the
concurrence of the Council of Presidents, appoint a
committee to study the method and procedure of nom-
inations and elections and the dissemination of informa-
tion concerning candidates, and present appropriate
recommendations to the 1971 convention.

Action: Adopted (16).

5. CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

To Accept into Membership Certain
Congregations
RESOLUTION 5-01

Report 5-01 (CW, pp. 225—227); Overtures 5-62U, 5-63U,
5-67U, 5-75U (URO, pp. 58, 59, 62)

WHEREAS, Certain congregations have, in accordance
with Article V of the Constitution, applied for member-
ship in the Synod:

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Flint, Michigan (Mich.)

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Sharonville, Ohio

(Ohio)

King of Kings Lutheran Church, Chesterfield, Mis-

souri (Mo.)

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Chesterfield Twp.,

Macomb County, Michigan (Mich.)

therefore be it