LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 44

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44 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

groups who have given leadership in matters of church
relations (TB 373, 3-27). The convention also thanked
the typists and other office workers for services rendered
during the convention.

Social Action and Welfare

The assembly asked that the Board of Social Ministry
and World Relief prepare educational materials on the
basis of the Synod’s Social Ministry Affirmations and
determined to continue its support of world relief pro-
grams (TB 128, 9-9; TB 128, 9-10). The members asked
for the preparation of information and dissemination
through the Lutheran Witness Reporter and other news
media of information regarding pending legislative ac-
tion concerning the poor and hungry (TB 130, 9-15),
and encouraged hunger hikes and other activities of this
nature (TB 131, 9-16). This was done after changing
the word “walks” to “hikes” in the resolution and
declining a proposed amendment. It was reported that
$894.00 had been received in a Pakistan refugee offering
and that this money would be processed through the
Board of Social Ministry and World Relief. The dele-
gates declined resolutions relating to the production of
enriched food and the concept of a floor under poverty
since these involved questions on which Christians
might hold differing opinions (TB 131, 9-17; TB 132,
9-18). A resolution to increase financial support by en-
couraging members to contribute a regular percentage
of their income to hunger programs was introduced (TB
132, 1-19). A motion was made and seconded to amend
the resolution by deleting the last resolved. Because of
lack of time the discussion was not completed.

Closing

The afternoon session was closed with prayer led by
Rev. Elmer Mueller.

Session 18

July 16, Evening
Opening

The closing session of the convention began with
prayer led by Mr. Roman Valleskey, Lutheran school
principal, of Milwaukee,

Greetings

Secretary Mueller announced that greetings had been
received from the India Evangelical Lutheran Church
and from the staff of Christian Radio Station in Nigeria.

Social Action and Welfare

The convention resumed its discussion of the resolu-
tion on support of hunger programs and after declining
the amendment to delete the last resolved, adopted the
resolution as printed (TB 132, 9-19). It asked social
ministry committees of congregations to set up programs
for information on action regarding the problem of
world hunger and requested the President of the Synod
to proclaim an Annual World Hunger Day to be ob-
served by congregations on the basis of guidelines pre-

pared by the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief
(TB 129, 9-12; TB 133, 9-20). It commended churches
serving breakfast to the children in their schools or
communities, encouraged congregations to study the
feasibility of such programs, and expressed appreciation
and admiration for young people who have raised money
for them (TB 133, 9-21). Since the Synod had spoken
at its Denver convention on the issue of conscientious
objection, it reaffirmed the principles adopted there and
encouraged its members to transmit their convictions on
conscientious objection to their congressmen (TB 261,
9-29). After agreeing to change the words “these pris-
oners” to “all prisoners,” the convention expressed its
concern for prisoners in Indochina and asked members
of the Synod to communicate their concerns to respon-
sible officials on both sides (TB 262, 9-30).

At the request of a delegate the President stated that
the closing devotion would include a petition to God to
guide the President of the United States in deliberations
during his future visit to the People’s Republic of China.
The Board of Social Ministry and World Relief was
asked to prepare materials which would assist in evalu-
ating the standards, priorities, and assumptions of our
society (TB 262, 9-31). The words “our nation is” were
changed to “our nations are” in the resolution in order
to reflect the fact that Canadian Lutherans are also
a part of the Synod. The delegates encouraged discus-
sions on the Christian family in regard to its size and
role in relation to the problem of hunger and encouraged
the adoption of children regardless of race by the mem-
bers of the Synod (TB 282, 9-33). On completion of its
work the floor committee was thanked for its efforts.

Procedure

The convention resolved to vote on the remaining
resolutions by voice vote rather than by rising.

Theological Matters

On recommendation of the committee the convention
adopted resolutions encouraging District worship work-
shops, declined overtures asking for a change in pro-
cedures for doctrinal supervision, and received the re-
port of the Synod’s Commision on Worship (TB 81, 2-06;
81, 2-07; 81, 2-08). It urged continuation of the publi-
cation of the Worship-Gram at least semiannually and
asked for wider distribution of it (TB 78, 2-02). The
delegates called on parties responsible for preparation
of worship materials to follow the provisions of the
Handbook in their production (TB 79, 2-03). They en-
couraged the CTCR to give high priority to the com-
pletion of the studies on ministry and referred Overture
2-209 dealing with Bible translations to the Bible ver-
sions committee of the CTCR (TB 80, 2-05; 82, 2-09).
Exchange study programs were encouraged for theologi-
cal growth (TB 82, 2-10). On recommendation of the
floor committee the convention asked for annual pub-
lication of available documents of the CTCR and en-
couraged Concordia Publishing House to include a list
of these in its catalog. Congregations desiring further
studies were asked to present overtures for such studies