LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 28

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28 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Elections

Chairman Bruns again called the attention of the
delegates to the statement on ethics prepared by the
Council of Presidents and asked them to take the matter
of voting seriously, acting responsibly in carrying out
their work as electors.

Theological Matters

The resolution to withhold ordination of women to
the pastoral office was introduced once more, since dis-
cussion had not been completed previously. Several
amendments to the resolution were proposed and de-
clined after lengthy discussion. A motion to extend
time until the issue involved in the resolution was re-
solved was also declined, and the matter will be con-
sidered at a later time on the agenda.

Communications

Chairman Happel of the floor committee introduced
Dr. O. A. Dorn, general manager of Concordia Publish-
ing House, to the convention. In his report Dr. Dorn
reviewed some of the activities and accomplishments of
the publishing house and spoke of plans for future pub-
lications and services. He concluded his report with
a personal note announcing his retirement at the end
of this month after serving Concordia Publishing House
for more than 30 years.

Ralph Mueller of the Board of Directors of Concordia
Publishing House read the statement and resolution of
the Board of Directors of Concordia Publishing House
which had been passed upon their acceptance of Dr.
Dorn’s request for retirement. Mr. Ralph Reinke, who
has been asked to become general manager of Concordia
Publishing House, was introduced to the delegates and
spoke briefly to the convention. The delegates adopted
the report of Concordia Publishing House and expressed
their gratitude to it for the transfer of two million dol-
lars to the synodical treasury during the past biennium
(TB 105, 10-01). They expressed their appreciation to
Dr. Dorn for his services with a rising vote of thanks
and joined the President of the Synod in prayer asking
God’s grace and protection for Dr. and Mrs. Dorn
(10-02). Dr. Wiederaenders then presented Dr. Dorn
with an original and specially prepared copy of the
resolution of thanks.

A proposal to change Article VI of the Articles of In-
corporation of Concordia Publishing House in order to
comply with the laws of the State of California was
adopted (TB 105, 10-03). The proposed revisions of the
bylaws of Concordia Publishing House were also
adopted (TB 106, 10-04).

Greetings

Dr. Preus introduced Dr. Paul C. Empie and Dr. Carl
Mau, who brought greetings from the Lutheran World
Federation. In his remarks Dr. Mau spoke first of the
work of the LWF and then thanked the Synod for its
contributions to the organization’s work. Dr. Empie
spoke of his work as president of Lutheran World Relief

and addressed the convention as a friend of the Synod,
expressing both his appreciation and concern for it.

Stewardship and Finances

The chairman of the floor committee introduced Dr.
Fred Precht, who spoke to the convention regarding
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod Foundation.
The Foundation, which originated 12 years ago, is now
self-supporting and has distributed over a million dol-
lars. Emphasis in the future will be on estate planning
for giving to the church. Reference was also made to
a new publication of the foundation called The Steward.

After changing the word “receive” to “approve,”
the convention approved the report of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod Foundation (TB 84, 12-05).
Chairman Heckmann announced that Resolution 12-06
calling for reorganization of the Stewardship Depart-
ment was being withdrawn at this time. The Synod
asked that the Stewardship Department continue to be
conscious of God-pleasing stewardship in raising funds
and agreed to seek to make Concordia Plans available to
pastors and lay workers serving in Canada (TB 86,
12-07; TB 86, 12-08). It declined overtures to reconsider
the provisions of the Pension Plan and to make retire-
ment and survivor plans more equitable (TB 86, 12-09;
TB 87, 12-10). It encouraged trustees of the several
funds of the Synod to continue their exercise of good
Christian judgment in the investment policies which
they follow (TB 87, 12-11) and adopted a resolution to
observe the centennial of the School for the Deaf, De-
troit, Mich. (TB 88, 12-13). It accepted the report of the
Stewardship Department (TB 89, 12-14) and, after sus-
pending the rules to allow reading by title, it accepted
the report of the Board of Pensions and Support to-
gether with the Bylaw revisions which were to be
included in Section X of the Synod’s Handbook (TB 89,
12-15).

Elections

Chairman Bruns announced distribution of ballots
for 29 remaining boards and committees as well as a
run-off ballot for the three boards whose membership
had not been completed in the previous election. Be-
cause of an obvious omission, biographical information
on Frederick E. Trinklein was given orally from the
floor. It was announced that since Rev. Bruce Strade
was not a parish pastor he was not eligible to be elected
as a pastoral member of the CTCR. A correction from
Harold to Harland Kirchner was also made in the slate
of candidates for the Board of Control of Concordia
College, Milwaukee. Chairman Bruns then issued in-
struction for the balloting. A motion to suspend time on
the agenda until balloting was completed and announce-
ments had been made was adopted.

During the closing moments of the balloting a group
of students from California known as Young Believers
presented several songs to the convention under the
direction of Mrs. Elmer Thyr. Chairman Bruns declared
the election closed.