LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 32

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32 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Theology and Church Relations were instructed to study
the matter of sister church status for the Brazil and
Argentine Districts and to report their findings at the
next convention (TB 72, 3-08). They reaffirmed a Den-
ver resolution to pursue the quest for Lutheran unity
with the Lutheran Church in America — Canada sec-
tion, after amending the first resolved to read as follows:

“Resolved, That the convention reaffirm this action,
encouraging the Canadian brethren to seek and strive
for unity in doctrine and in practice on the basis of
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions (TB 73, 3-09).”

The “Interim Principles” were adopted as guidelines
for interchurch relations after an amendment to in-
corporate these interim principles in the resolution had
been adopted. These principles are found in the con-
vention Workbook, page 35, and will be added after the
first resolved (TB 73, 3-10). A resolution to study se-
lective fellowship was introduced to the convention. A
motion was made and seconded to substitute for the
final resolved in 3-11 (TB 74) the following words:

“Resolved, That the Synod require all its members
to honor their fraternal agreement with all members of
the Synod by refraining from practicing altar and pulpit
fellowship with congregations of church bodies with
whom the Synod has not yet declared fellowship.”

After brief discussion the delegates decided to post-
pone discussion of this amendment until the following
day and asked the Floor Committee on Church Rela-
tions to consult with the Commission on Constitutional
Matters regarding the appropriateness of this resolution.

Closing

The evening session closed with a devotion led by
Dr. William Buege, who based his remarks on one of
the searching questions in Scripture posed by Christ,
“Who do you say that I am?”

Session 10
July 14, Morning
Opening
Continuing his series of opening devotions, Dr. Au-
gust Bernthal based his remarks on the theme “A
Marching Song.” It is a song of urgency, courage, in
step, and a song which we do not sing alone.

Essay

Convention essayist Dr. Paul Zimmerman pointed
his discussion toward the way we are equipped for our
ambassadorship. We do not live for ourselves but for
Christ. Man is a new creation equipped by being cre-
ated anew through the creating work of the Holy
Spirit. This involves a unity of spirit with hearts
cleansed. When we slip, we will go back to the Cross,
This equipment is for service. Included in it is meeting
the needs of others. The highest ministry is that of Word
and sacrament. The Biblical concept of “Word” was
very comprehensive. It does things. It is the Word
about Christ and is even identified with Him. For this

reason the church has always been concerned about its
doctrine.

Announcements

The attention of the delegates was called to the index
which appears in Today’s Business and which should
facilitate the finding of resolutions. They were also
reminded of a considerable amount of unfinished busi-
ness which must come before the convention.

Procedures

The delegates resolved to vote by standing on all
resolutions on which there is discussion.

The following motion offered from the floor was
adopted:

Resolved, That this word-weary convention express
its heartfelt thanks and most sincere gratitude to all the
delegates who do not abuse the parliamentary procedure
with time-consuming trivia; who do not quibble over
the wording of well-written resolutions; and who do not
burden the assembly with repetitious, unnecessary, or
self-serving speeches; and that this expression of grati-
tude be read from time to time at the discretion of the
chair.

While declining amendments to limit discussions on
issues to 45 minutes, the convention agreed to limit each
speaker to 2 minutes, allowing him to speak only once
on the same issue. The convention also rejected a mo-
tion to suspend Robert’s Rule 29 (closing of debate) on
all issues except that of fellowship.

Sundry Matters

The floor committee reported that while no written
resolutions were being presented at this time it was
bringing a number of living letters before the conven-
tion. A number of people representing the American
Bible Society spoke on the scope and value of the so-
ciety’s program.

Dr. William Buege reporting for the 125th anniver-
sary committee introduced Dr. Oliver Harms, past pres-
ident of the Synod, and director of the observance, who
addressed the convention regarding this matter. He
stated that he accepted the position of director on the
basis of the following assumptions:

1. God is in all His people.

2. The observance must be a worthy one,

3. It should make things happen.

4. It should seek to stimulate interest and support

for general and specific programs of the Synod.

5. The observance should be based on existing struc-

tures.

6. It should seek a response that is both immediate

and continuing.

He stated further that the observance should have
a plan which would reflect
1. a mood of thanksgiving;

2. a sense of commitment to the original objectives
of the Synod;