LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 41

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 41

the Handbook was adopted. This was done after the
committee had changed the first resolved to read as
follows:

“Resolved, That the Bylaws of the Synod be amended
as presented in the convention Workbook pp. 247—249
with changes as written out here following.”

In response to a question from the floor the chairman
indicated that this assumes the commissions will be
elected by the Districts. As a consequence of the action
of the convention, Resolution 5-15 (TB 238) was with-
drawn. The delegates upheld the opinion of the Com-
mission on Constitutional Matters regarding dissenting
groups (TB 236, 5-13). They declined an overture re-
questing a study of the responsibility of the President
and of the Board of Directors (TB 322, 5-32). An over-
ture requesting a study of the authority of the synodical
President was declined as were others requesting exam-
ination of the procedures followed in terminating the
services of Dr. Jungkuntz (TB 240, 5-18; 240, 5-19).
Leaving the Handbook unchanged the convention de-
clined overtures requesting provision for appeals to
synodical conventions (TB 241, 5-20).

Social Action and Welfare

After presenting Dr. Preus with a brochure, “Blue-
print for the 70’s,” Dr. Goetz, chairman of the floor
committee, introduced a resolution urging concern over
our involvement in Southeast Asia, which was adopted
(TB 316, 9-34). After declining a motion to substitute
Overture 9-39 (CW 398), the delegates accepted the
recommendation of the floor committee calling for sup-
port of Project Equality (TB 261, 9-28).

Elections

Chairman Bruns reported these election results:
Committee for Convention Nominations: Raymond
Joeckel; Board of Control, Fort Wayne: Allen Fedder.

Parish Services and Youth

A resolution presented jointly by the floor committee
on theological matters and that of parish services and
youth commending the Board of Parish Education for
its imagination and initiative in the production of Mis-
sion: Life materials but also calling for revision and
review by the Board of Doctrinal Review as well as
critical evaluation of the materials by local congrega-
tions was adopted (TB 328, 7-20). The delegates adopted
another joint resolution asking the Board of Parish
Education to be more careful in its editing and request-
ing more faithful doctrinal review (TB 330, 7-22) and
requested continuation of publication of Life in Christ
Sunday school materials (TB 329, 7-21). After the
report of the Board of Parish Education had been ac-
cepted, the work of the floor committee was declared
finished (TB 327, 7-19).

Procedure

Accepting a motion from the floor, the delegates
agreed to suspend the rules which permit reconsidera-
tion for the remainder of the convention.

Closing

The session was closed with a prayer led by Dr.
Wiederaenders.

Session 17

July 16, Afternoon
Opening

Newly elected officers were installed in the opening
service, which was conducted by Dr. Roland Wieder-
aenders.

Higher Education

On recommendation of the floor committee the dele-
gates declined overtures to establish a board of exam-
iners who would determine the eligibility of pastoral
candidates for a call, and referred other overtures ask-
ing for a study of innovative educational programs to
the Board for Higher Education (TB 232, 6-13; TB 233,
6-14). The delegates accepted a recommendation of
the chairman of the floor committee to refer proposed
Handbook changes regarding removal of faculty mem-
bers from their office to the Board of Directors for fur-
ther study (TB 62, 6-01). After hearing a protest re-
garding open-ended statements, many of the delegates
rose in response to a call for repentance for making or
listening to allegations against their fellow Christians.

Special and Sundry Matters

Delegates agreed to urge their congregations to sup-
port the work of the American Bible Society and to
emphasize the need for a wider reading and sharing of
Holy Scriptures in their own families (TB 317, 11-16).
They adopted a resolution (TB 317, 11-17) asking for
a study of the relationship of deaconesses to the Synod
after adding as a final resolved:

“And be it further Resolved, That the two overtures
printed on pages 8 and 11 of The Lutheran Deaconess,
Vol. 49, 2, be given full consideration by the committee
herewith established.”

This completed the work of the floor committee.

Synodical Administration

The convention approved the recommendation for
holding an annual consultation for coordination of aux-
iliaries and agencies and declined Overture 4-83 (TB
276, 4-37). They accepted the reports of the Lutheran
Church — Canada, the First Vice-President of the
Synod, the Secretary of the Synod, the Executive Di-
rector, the Synodical Service Commission, and the
Department of Research and Statistics (TB 354, 4-50;
354, 4-51; 354, 4-52; 355, 4-53; 355, 4-54; 356, 4-55; 356,
4-56).

The floor committee then introduced Res. 4-57 (TB
358) which replaced Res. 4-36 (TB 275) calling for a
realignment of the Atlantic District into three Districts.
After considerable discussion, the motion was adopted
(TB 358, 4-57).