Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 212
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 212

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

212 SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION

Future Plans

It is hoped that the Department of Research and
Statistics may continue to provide valuable services
to various boards and commissions of the Synod as well
as to congregations and individuals who submit special
requests to the department. Beyond this, however,
there are many areas where additional research is des-
perately needed. This needed research has been seri-
ously limited by the inability of the Synod to secure
needed staff in this area.

A particularly pressing concern is the necessity for
continual study of the growth trend of the Synod. Re-
lating to this is the need for valid projections on the
membership, income, expenditures, and_ professional
staff needs in the Synod in the future. This information
is invaluable for sound decision-making and adequate
long-range planning.

A second area requiring immediate attention is the
problem of coordinating and centralizing much of the
research presently scattered throughout the Synod.
This was specifically recommended by the Synodical
Survey Commission in order to eliminate duplication
of research efforts and to enhance the viability and
validity of research conducted in the Synod.

A third area in which much can be done in the
future is the providing of consultant services in the field
of statistical analysis and research methodology to
various boards and commissions of the Synod engaged
in research projects.

Finally, it is intended that the Department of Re-
search and Statistics will continue to provide services
to the membership of the Synod. The underlying con-
cern of all projects and activities of the department is
to provide information and services that will be of value
and help to the congregations, pastors, teachers, and
members of the Synod.

DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS
Pau R. Picarp, Acting Director of Research

(4-07)

To Return to Triennial Synodical Conventions

WuereEas, An experiment with biennial conventions
of the Synod has already demonstrated that this ar-
rangement does not allow sufficient time to fully carry
out the directives of one convention before plans must
be put in motion to prepare for the next; and

Wuereas, The biennial convention pattern does not
effect the hoped-for economies; and

WHEREAS, It is the growing opinion of the church’s
leadership both on the District and on the synodical
level that we are better served through the previous ar-
rangement; therefore be it

Resolved, That we petition the honorable Lutheran

Church — Missouri Synod at Denver to return to the
triennial convention pattern.

MIcHIGAN DISTRICT
Epwin H. Roeurs, Secretary

(4-08)

To Charge for Filing or Printing Overtures

Wuereas, It seems that the number of overtures to
synodical conventions continues to increase; and

WuereEas, The money spent on publishing the Con-
VENTION WoRKBOOK ($45,722 was spent on publishing the
New York ConvENTION WoRKBOOK) could better be used
in the outgoing mission of the church; and

Wuereas, In the interest of conserving convention
time and energy, concise and meaningful overtures must
be submitted; therefore be it

Resolved, That a suggested filing fee of $10 or sug-
gested per-line charge of 50¢ be considered as manda-
tory for each overture submitted to a synodical con-

vention. Pastors oF CIRcuIT 4
NorTHERN ILLINOIS DISTRICT
B. W. Brucu
Paut GERTH
ROBERT WENDELIN
RicuarpD GOTSCH
Bruce HartTunc
RicHARD MAASSEL
JOHN NICKERSON
Jutius Kocw
MELVIN MEYER
EUGENE REDDEL
JAMES F, Bacu, Secretary

(4-09)

To Elect Committee on Review of
Convention Resolutions

God has given us His Holy Scriptures for our guid-
ance. (2 Tim. 3:16 f.; Luke 16: 29; 24: 25 ff.; 1 Cor. 14:37)

If our present convention should fail to follow Scrip-
ture in resolutions pertaining to doctrine or practice,
this would lead to great spiritual damage to the Synod,
and it would also bring down the wrath of God upon us.
(Jer. 8:9; 23:16; Is. 8:20; Luke 24:25; Gal. 1:8 f.)

Because of the gravity of the decisions facing the
Synod at the convention in Denver and because of the
urgent need of extreme caution, lest unscriptural reso-
lutions be adopted by the convention, the undersigned
herewith respectfully submits a resolution pertaining
to election of a special committee to serve at this con-
vention as a Committee on Review of Convention Reso-
lutions.

The resolution follows. —

Wuereas, God would have us Christians humbly
abide by His Holy Scriptures (Is. 8:20; Luke 16:29:
24: 25 ff.; 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16 f.; 1 Peter 4:11); and

Wuereas, Failure to follow Scripture will involve us
in sin and folly (Jer. 8:9; 23:16; Is. 8:20; Luke 24:25),
bringing down God’s wrath upon us (Gal. 1:8f.); and

Wuereas, God would not only have us sincerely and
penitently express our sorrow for having tolerated un-
scriptural doctrine and practice in our midst but would
also have us be firmly determined henceforth to be