LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 25

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 25

converts for the 125th anniversary of the Synod. Since
this completed the assignment of the Floor Committee
on Evangelism, the group was dismissed by the chair-
man with thanks.

Church Relations

In a rising vote and with the singing of the doxology
the Synod expressed its gratitude for the merger of the
Synod of Evangelical Churches with The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod (TB 69, 3-01) and agreed to
allow members of the SELC District to affiliate with
the English District (TB 69, 3-02). The delegates adopted
the resolution to recognize the sister church status of
the Lutheran Church in the Philippines, the Japan Lu-
theran Church, the Lutheran Church of Ghana, and the
Korean Lutheran Church, and to initiate action for es-
tablishing such relationship with the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church of Nigeria, the Wabag Lutheran Church,
the China Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Lu-
theran Synod of Mexico (TB 69, 3-03). This resolution
was adopted after inserting the words “the Holy Scrip-
tures and” prior to the words “Lutheran Confessions”
in the first resolved and after declining a motion to table
the fifth resolved.

Theological Matters

Chairman Wollenburg introduced the resolution from
the floor committee calling for withholding of ordination
of women to the pastoral office. After the motion was
made and seconded, the chairman called attention to
the fact that according to Robert’s Rules of Order, if
large numbers of delegates wish to speak to the motion,
the chairman is permitted to call for alternations of
those wishing to speak for and against it. This proce-
dure was followed, and the time scheduled for consid-
eration of this matter elapsed before the discussion was
completed.

Announcement

Dr. Preus recognized the presence of Dr. Nathan
Bailey, president of the Christian Missionary Alliance,
who had accompanied him on his recent trip to Vietnam.

Missions

Rev. Herbert Rohe, Secretary for Ministry to the
Deaf, announced the presentation of the John of Beverly
Award to Norbert E. Borchert of Detroit for his out-
standing work among the deaf. The close relationship
between the Saxon Free Church and The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod was reviewed by Dr. Herman
Koppelmann, Associate Secretary for World Areas of
the staff of the Board for Missions. Following this the
chair recognized the presence of Dr. Wilhelm Oesch,
professor at Oberursel Seminary. The chairman of the
Committee on Missions, Rev. W. Griesse, then called on
Dr. A. Carino of the Philippine Lutheran Church to ad-
dress the convention.

In separate resolutions the delegates encouraged
greater participation in the Church Extension Fund

through such things as annual Church Extension Fund
Sundays (TB 43, 1-01) and agreed to ask for a con-
sideration of missions and Church Extension capital
needs in connection with a 125th anniversary thank-
offering (TB 43, 1-02) and to seek improvement of fidu-
ciary management of the Church Extension Funds (TB
44, 1-03).

Synodical Administration

On recommendation of the floor committee Trinity
Lutheran Congregation, Claire City, S. Dak., was trans-
ferred to the South Dakota District; St. Paul Lutheran
Church, Julesburg, Colo., to the Colorado District; Grace
English Lutheran Church, Pine Bluff, Wyo., and Zion
Lutheran Church, Grover, Colo., to the Wyoming Dis-
trict (TB 54, 4-01; TB 54, 4-02; TB 55, 4-03). In order
to maintain equal representation on the Inter-Lutheran
Commission on Worship the delegates agreed to in-
crease the membership of the Commission on Worship
to seven members (TB 55, 4-04). They encouraged
equitable geographical representation on  synodical
boards and commissions and declined Overture 4-86
calling for unified mailing of materials since the action
requested by the overture is being considered and car-
ried out to some extent (TB 56, 4-05, and TB 56, 4-06).
The convention adopted a resolution calling for a feasi-
bility study of a new District in the Southwest and asked
for a report at the next convention on this matter (TB
56, 4-07). Resolutions asking departments of the Synod
to strive for reduction in staff and size of boards and for
consideration of a reduction in the number of divisions
of the Synod were approved (TB 57, 4-08, TB 57, 4-09).
The delegates requested that policy making be separated
from administration as much as possible in the work of
synodical boards (TB 58, 4-10) and declined a request
to study the development of a fire and casualty insur-
ance program (4-11). Overtures calling for a limitation
of the role of the Secretary of the Synod and a reex-
amination of the position of full-time Secretary of the
Synod were declined, since the provisions of the Hand-
book 2.39 and 2.39, 1, were being followed (TB 58, 4-12,
and TB 59, 4-13).

Closing

After several announcements by the chairman, the
session closed with prayer offered by Rev. Erich Brauer,
executive secretary of parish education of the South
Wisconsin District.

Session 5
July 12, Morning
Opening

Rev. August Bernthal led the opening devotion of
the morning session, stressing that where Christ is not
the center of life there is no glad song to sing.

Agenda

A motion to abide strictly by the agenda as printed
on page 123 of Today’s Business was declined. The