LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 34

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34 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Jordon, Executive Director of the Lutheran Children’s
Society, Milwaukee.

Session 11

July 14, Afternoon
Opening
Dr. Herbert W. Berner, pastor of Mount Olive Lu-
theran Church, Milwaukee, led the convention in prayer
as the afternoon session opened. Minutes up to and
including Session 6 stood approved as submitted.

Missions

After the insertion of the word “separate” by the
floor committee in the first resolved, the convention
agreed to establish a separate Board for Evangelism
(TB 217, 1-19). They agreed that the Board for Mis-
sions should initiate work program planning for the
next biennium based on budget figures of 10.5 million
dollars in 1972 and 11 million dollars in 1973 and to
provide the resources for missions but to reevaluate this
policy of making a firm commitment after a two-year
trial period (TB 218, 1-20).

Dr. William Kohn, executive secretary of the Board
for Missions, introduced nine young Lutherans who will
be going to Guatemala in a work program.

Theological Matters

The convention took up again Res. 2-21 (TB 249)
regarding the upholding of synodical doctrinal resolu-
tions, A proposed amendment to substitute Res. 5-24
(TB 246) was made and seconded and, after having
been read by the Floor Committee on Constitutional
Matters and discussed, was narrowly declined after
considerable discussion and extension of time. A point
of privilege was granted by the delegates, allowing Dr.
Lloyd Goetz, chairman of the Council of Presidents, to
read a statement adopted by the council on Feb. 27, 1970.
A motion was made and seconded to substitute the
statement of the Council of Presidents for the proposed
Res. 2-21. Since time had expired, a decision was made
to continue discussion after the convention had adopted
a resolution requesting that the statement of the Council
of Presidents be printed and distributed to the delegates.

Recognitions

Dr. Preus asked the delegates to recognize Dr. Law-
rence E. Meyer, former Planning Counselor of the
Synod, Dr. E. J. Friedrich, a former Vice-President of
the Synod, and Dr. Willis Wright, president-elect of
Alabama Lutheran Academy and College.

President Phillip Fry, of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan
District, introduced Dr. S. T. Jacobson, president of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church — Canada, who brought
the greetings of his church to the convention.

Social Action and Welfare

After Mr. Eugene Crawford, president of the Na-
tional Indian Lutheran Board, had addressed the con-
vention on the problems of the Indian American and

thanked the Synod for the contributions that it had
made toward the Indian American, the convention
adopted a resolution (TB 38, 9-04) encouraging the
Board for Social Ministry to develop effective ways of
bringing the ministry of Jesus Christ to the Indian
American and to remind governmental and other agen-
cies involved in Indian affairs to be concerned with
preserving the dignity of the Indian American in ap-
proaches taken to the solution of his problem.

Although Senator Vance Hartke could not be present
because of a crucial senate vote, his best wishes were
extended to the convention, and excerpts from his in-
tended speech were read to the delegates. After hearing
them, the convention adopted a resolution to aid refu-
gees from Pakistan (TB 39, 9-06).

Church Relations

The floor committee presented a resolution to decline
membership in the Lutheran World Federation which
the delegates accepted, asking the Commission on The-
ology and Church Relations to study the matter and
report its findings at the next convention of the Synod
(TB 71, 3-06). After being reminded that the discussion
on the resolution of selective fellowship had not been
completed, the floor committee stated that it had not
yet discussed the matter with the Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters as requested by the convention. This
will be done, and the resolution will be brought before
the convention at a later time. The delegates declined
an overture prohibiting the production of joint state-
ments and materials and an overture making proposals
for establishing a new approach to fellowship (TB 74,
3-12; TB 74, 3-13). They asked that doctrinal discussions
with the Lutheran Church in America be continued
(TB 75, 3-14). An overture asking for revision of the
Bylaws concerning LCUSA appointments was declined
(TB 78, 3-15). The convention expressed appreciation
for a study regarding anti-Christian organizations and
encouraged wide distribution of a report regarding the
matter (TB 253, 3-16). This was adopted after amending
the first whereas to read as follows:

“Wuereas, At the request of the President of the
Synod in consultation with the Synod’s CTCR .. .”

An overture requesting Bylaw amendments regard-
ing fellowship recognition proposals was declined (TB
253, 3-17). The floor committee introduced a resolution
to receive a document titled “A Statement Regarding
Lutheran Unity.” Since discussion on the issue could
not be completed, it will be considered at a later time
(TB 268, 3-19).

Synodical Administration

Resolution 4-29 regarding Bylaw 2.11 dealing with
tenure and termination of services of executive secre-
taries and their equivalents was reintroduced by the
floor committee. The point at which previous discussion
had been terminated was that of a motion to recommit
the matter to the floor committee. Time for discussion
of this matter expired before the convention had reached
a decision on the issue.