LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 4

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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And Then?

Anyone who attended the New Orleans convention
knows how much time was consumed on points of order,
on questions of information, and especially on points
of privilege.

Perhaps some of this was once again part of con-
vention strategy designed by interested parties to keep
certain crucial issues from coming to a vote. But un-
doubtedly much of it was completely unpremeditated
and devoid of any strategical intentions,

In any event the end result was obvious. Many im-
portant as well as lesser matters never came to the floor
for action. There simply was not enough time. Conse-
quently many proposed resolutions were finally turned
over to the Board of Directors under “omnibus” Reso-
lution 4-47.

In spite of this, most of the really urgent matters
disturbing the church were indeed finally brought to
a vote. In this respect, whatever strategy was involved
failed of its purpose.

Many were satisfied, but many were also dissatisfied
with the decisions made by the convention. But at least
it must be said that most of the issues were given very
much time and attention not only at the 1973 synodical
convention but also for several years previously — in
publications, in pastoral and teachers conferences, in
circuit meetings, in congregational meetings, in District
conventions, in meetings of special interest groups, in
synodical conventions — almost to the point of surfeit.
Perhaps the Synod after all has finally come to some
definite conclusions regarding matters long in contro-
versy and will now address itself with renewed vigor
to the mission of Christ in the world.

* * *

With so much attention devoted to issues long trou-
bling the church it is perhaps not surprising that one
certain resolution was adopted without any delegate
asking for the privilege of the floor, and that was the
historic resolution permitting women to become full-
fledged teacher members of the Synod! At almost any
other time this would have received headline attention.

We are again listing for ready reference some of the
more important resolutions which came before the con-
vention:

Doctrinal statements: Res. 2-12
“A Statement”: Res. 3-01

LCUSA: Res. 2-39

ALC fellowship: Res. 2-40

AATS and due process: Res. 3-02
St. Louis faculty: Res. 3-09

Dr. John Tietjen: Res. 3-12A
Synodical rosters: Res. 5-13
Election of college presidents: Res. 6-13A
Women teachers: Res. 7-05
General administration: Res. 4-26
Higher Education study: Res. 6-30
Omnibus resolution: Res. 4-47

We have again taken the liberty of adding to some
resolutions in small print additional information from
the notebooks of both secretaries.

The numbers in parentheses below each resolution
indicate the session in which action was taken. The
reader may wish to turn to the minutes of that session
for additional information.

About abbreviations. CW is the symbol for Conven-
tion Workbook, the 477-page book of reports and over-
tures submitted to the convention. TB refers to Today’s
Business, the daily manual bringing the text of the pro-
posed resolutions drafted by the floor committees.

In addition to the information contained in the Min-
utes the following should be noted for the sake of the
record:

— All sessions were held in the Rivergate conven-
tion center in downtown New Orleans and the
preconvention committee meetings, which began
as early as July 2, at the Marriott Hotel.

— The theme of the convention was “Ever, Only, All
for Thee.”

—A 125th Anniversary Service with Holy Commu-
nion was held on Sunday evening, July 8, with
Dr. W. Harry Krieger the preacher.

Special thanks should go to Dr. Walter Rosin, who
had the principal responsibility of producing the Min-
utes, and to Rev. Paul Picard and his hard-working
crew producing Today’s Business.

* * *

The undersigned is the only person in the Synod
who has had the opportunity of witnessing in their
entirety seven successive synodical conventions from
the vantage point of the rostrum. Anyone who has
shared such a vantage point even briefly can testify that
it can be almost a shattering experience at times and
that it affords a unique opportunity to gain insights and
to make evaluations.

If I may be permitted as a result of this unique ex-
perience extending over 14 years to share just one
thought with you, a fellow member of this church which
both of us hold dear, it is this:

Perhaps it’s time for us to look once again deep
into the eyes of Jesus Christ and to listen —
really listen — to His searching

question: “Simon, ... lovest thou Me?”

And then? “Feed My lambs ... Feed My sheep!”
HERBERT MUELLER, Secretary