LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 38

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38 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

program was introduced (TB 288, 16-01). An amend-
ment to the resolution was made and seconded. It reads
as follows:

“Resolved, That wherever possible debt retirement
payments be made only after full 1971 and 1972 Work
Program commitments have been made to Missions and
Special Ministries, Higher Education, Communications,
and Parish Services.”

Discussion on the amendment was terminated be-
cause of lack of time on the agenda.

Parish Services and Youth

Discussion was resumed on the resolution to resolve
certain concerns regarding the Walther League and the
Board of Youth Ministry. A number of amendments to
the resolution were declined, and the convention adopted
the resolution as presented by the floor committee (TB
265, 7-18). They accepted the report of the Board of
Youth Ministry (TB 98, 7-02).

Higher Education

An overture requesting a special evaluation of the
Board for Higher Education as well as one calling for a
special study of the Synod’s higher education system
was declined by the delegates (TB 67, 6-08; TB 67,
6-03). They authorized a board for the training, certifi-
cation, and licensing of lay ministers after adding the
following resolved to the resolution (TB 68, 6-10) pre-
sented by the floor committee:

“and be it further Resolved, That the board do all
in its power to encourage ministers particularly for
part-time nonsalaried service.”

After the floor committee had introduced a resolu-
tion calling for referral of the recommendations of syn-
odical schools to the Board for Higher Education (TB
219, 6-16), the convention allowed a member of the
floor committee to append a minority report (TB 221)
to Res. 6-16. After declining a proposed amendment,
incorporating part of the minority report, the resolution
of the floor committee was adopted by the delegates.
They expressed their appreciation for the work of the
Board for Higher Education and received the report
of the Colloquy Eoard (TB 219, 6-17; TB 220, 6-18).

Social Action and Welfare

Following the floor committee’s recommendation the
convention urged District officials to be diligent in the
implementation of social ministry and world relief reso-
lutions, asking the Board of Social Ministry and World
Relief to assist them in carrying out their work (TB
37, 9-01). It accepted the report of the Board of Social
Ministry and World Relief as well as the report of the
Commission on Social Concerns (TB 37, 9-02; TB 38,
9-03). The delegates urged congregations to give their
support to the “Keys for Christ” program and declined
Overture 9-14 which was proposed as a substitute for
the resolution of the floor committee (TB 39, 9-05).

Since Lutheran World Relief is involved in a medical

assistance program throughout the world they also de-
clined Overture 9-25 (TB 43, 9-08).

Elections

Chairman Bruns reported the following election re-
sults:

Board of Parish Education: Rev. Leonard Heide-
mann; Committee for Convention Nominations: Messrs.
Iddo Heinicke, George Rummel; Board for Missions:
Rev. Paul Martens.

Ballots for unfilled positions were distributed, and
the election was declared closed.

Constitutional Matters

Dr. Scherer, chairman of the floor committee, intro-
duced a resolution regarding the status of synodically
adopted doctrinal statements. Before the resolution was
discussed he asked that it be considered on its own
merits and that it not be amended. After the resolution
had been read, a motion was made and seconded to
adopt it. Following discussion the convention adopted
the resolution as printed (TB 246, 5-24) and joined in
singing the doxology in praise to God for this reconciling
moment. The delegates thanked the Commission on Mis-
sion and Ministry for its work, encouraging it to con-
tinue to prepare its final report and to seek ways to
share it with the church prior to the next convention
(TB 244, 5-22). They agreed that the Committee for
Convention Nominations should remain as an ad hoc
committee and that its chairman and secretary should
become advisory members of the succeeding Committee
for Convention Nominations (TB 96, 5-05). Since con-
gregations already have the option of requesting a
change in District membership, they declined Overture
5-23 (TB 96, 5-06).

Closing

The afternoon session closed with prayer, again led
by Rev. Byron Wallschlaeger.

Session 15

July 15, Evening
Opening

The opening prayer for the 15th session of the con-
vention was offered by Dr. Roland Wiederaenders.

Constitutional Matters

The convention began consideration of a revision
of Bylaws designed to establish regional Commissions of
Adjudication to deal with appeals which are made in
cases of excommunication, disagreement, accusation, or
controversy (TB 237, 5-14). Since the suggested re-
visions appeared in the convention Workbook, 246—249,
the delegates agreed to hear only those portions of the
Bylaws which contained changes suggested by the floor
committee in these proposed Bylaws as printed in the
convention Workbook. A motion to substitute the words
“District Commission of Adjudication” for “Regional
Commission of Adjudication” was made and seconded.

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