LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 114

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114 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That these applications for membership be
approved (Handbook 1.01); and be it also

Resolved, That the signing of the Constitution take
place at the conventions of the respective Districts, in
accordance with Section 1.03 of the Handbook.

Action: Adopted (2).
(See also Res. 5-31.)

To Grant Youth Guests Speaking Privileges
RESOLUTION 5-02
Overtures 15-01, 15-02 (CW, p. 487)
Wuereas, The President of the Synod has invited

Districts to send young people as guests to the Denver
convention; and

Wuereas, This invitation has also been extended to
colleges and seminaries of the Synod to send students
as guests; and

Wuereas, We acknowledge with gratitude to God the
blessing of youth who are dedicated to Christ and to
His church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention extend a cordial wel-

come to these guests; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention encourage the floor
committees to use this opportunity to hear the concerns
of the young people; and be it finally

Resolved, That they be granted the privilege of ad-
dressing the convention at the invitation of a floor com-
mittee and at the discretion of the chair.

Action: Adopted (2).

To Elect Some Younger Persons
to Synodical Boards
RESOLUTION 5-03
Overture 5-27 (CW, p. 237)

Wuereas, The church benefits from the experience
and participation of persons of all age levels; and

WHEREAS, Younger pastors, teachers, and laymen can
often bring new and fresh insights to the church’s pro-
gram; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Committee for Convention Nom-
inations be requested to bear in mind this concern of
the Synod.

Action: Adopted (2).

To Require Election by Majority
RESOLUTION 5-04

Report 5-01, IV, D; Overtures 5-25, 5-26 (CW, pp. 226,
236—237)

Wuereas, The Constitution of the Synod says: “All
matters of doctrine and of conscience shall be decided
only by the Word of God. All other matters shall be

decided by a majority vote” (Constitution, Art. VIII, C);
and

Wuereas, The Synod has stipulated in Bylaws 2.125
and 3.33 that a majority of all votes cast shall be re-
quired to elect the President, the Vice-Presidents, the
Secretary, the Treasurer, the elective members of the
Board of Directors, and the Circuit Counselors; and

Whereas, It has permitted other positions to be
filled by plurality vote, presumably in order to avoid
time-consuming balloting to establish majorities when
larger slates of candidates are proposed; and

Wuereas, It is apparent that the plurality arrange-
ment is unconstitutional; and

Wuereas, The New York convention ably demon-
strated that data-processing equipment makes possible
the expeditious handling of multiple elections and run-
off balloting; and

Wuereas, It would seem proper, since it is now pos-
sible, to permit the majority principle truly to prevail
in all matters not decided by God’s Word; therefore
be it

Resolved, That Bylaws 2.125 and 3.33 be amended to
read as follows, effective forthwith and governing the
elections at the 1969 convention:

2.125 (and 3.33) Majority Vote

a. A majority of all votes cast shall be required for elec-
tion to all elective offices and elective board positions.

b. Except in the election of the President and the Vice-
Presidents, the following regulations shall apply: Candi-
dates receiving a majority on the first ballot shall be de-
clared elected. When a second or succeeding ballot is re-
quired for a majority, the candidate receiving the fewest
votes and all candidates receiving less than 15% of the
votes cast shall be dropped from the ballot, unless fewer than
two candidates receive 15% or more of the votes cast, in
which case the three highest candidates shall constitute the
ballot. In every election balloting shall continue until every
position has been filled by majority vote.

Action: Adopted (2).

Not to Require Annual Subscription
to Constitution and Installation Pledge
RESOLUTION 5-05

Overture 5-32 (CW, p. 240)

Wuereas, A periodic renewal of a solemn vow calls
into question the very nature of a vow; and

Wuereas, A mandatory annual renewal of the in-
stallation pledge would depreciate the integrity of the
Synod’s pastoral and teaching ministerium; and

Wuereas, Synodically adopted statements are not
part of the ordination or installation vow; and

Wuereas, Placing synodically adopted doctrinal
statements on an equal basis of authority with Scripture
and the Lutheran Confessions is not in harmony with
Article II of the Constitution of the Synod; therefore
be it

Resolved, That Overture 5-32 be declined.

Action: Adopted (2).