LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 20

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20 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

a steady increase in the financial strength of the
church with the possibility of moving forward
as a result of the 125th Anniversary Thankoffer-
ing. While the contribution per communicant
rose by $6.55, only 42¢ of this amount is allo-
cated for purposes of District and Synod. There
is a need to improve the financial base.

f. The Synod is a body faithful to her doctrinal posi-
tion. Doctrine is the basis for all other tasks and
more theological study has taken place during the
past biennium than at any time in Synod’s history.
We are faced with questions concerning the na-
ture and authority of the Word of God. Delegates
who have been studying in preparation for mak-
ing decisions at this convention will profoundly
affect the church’s future. We have reached a
doctrinal crossroads.

g. Synod is people. Dr. Preus reminded the dele-
gates that the church consists of people who are
brothers and sisters of Christ and who are not
just a set of statistics.

The President’s report will be made available to all
convention delegates.

Dr. Preus concluded his report by thanking the
boards and commissions, District Presidents, Vice-Pres-
idents of the Synod, and all who have served faithfully
during the past biennium.

He welcomed the delegates from Brazil as well as
the increased number of delegates from newly formed
Districts and other Districts which had previously been
represented by smaller delegations.

“Sinners in a sinful world will have trouble,” Dr.
Preus said, “but with the exception of doctrinal prob-
lems few of the present problems facing our church
come from within. We belong to a wonderful church
with a wonderful heritage, a wonderful present, facing
a wonderful future.” The President’s report concluded
with the first and final stanzas of the hymn “Take My
Life and Let It Be.”

Announcement

Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, re-
ferred delegates to the nominating procedure to be fol-
lowed for President and First Vice-President and asked
those who wished to place names in nomination to file
the consent form and biographical statements with him.

Convention Procedures

Dr. Roland Wiederaenders, First Vice-President of
the Synod, addressed the delegates informing them of
general convention procedures to be followed.

Synodical Program

A visual presentation of the program of the Synod’s
work was made to the convention. After the presenta-
tion, climaxed with the singing of the hymn “Take My
Life and Let It Be,” thanks were extended to Concordia
Publishing House and the Rev. Victor Growcock for
preparation of this presentation entitled “Synod in Ac-
tion.”

Preliminary Matters

After calling the convention to order Dr. Preus
introduced the secretary and assistant secretary for
the convention (Herbert Mueller and Walter Rosin)
and the parliamentarians Dr. Mark Steege and Judge
Gilbert Zitzelsberger.

Registration

Rev. Alwin Reimnitz, chairman of the Committee
on Registration and Credentials, announced that Over-
tures 15-01A and 15-01B of the Convention Workbook
had been withdrawn. A motion was made and ap-
proved that the delegates from the St. Paul circuit,
English District, be seated.

Convention Rules

The standing rules of the convention (TB page 18)
were adopted without a negative vote.

Constitutional Matters

Dr. Ellis Nieting, chairman of the Committee on Con-
stitutional Matters, presented a resolution calling for
the retention of Bylaw 2.129 b dealing with the nomina-
tion procedures for President and First Vice-President
of the Synod (TB 63, 5-01). A motion was made to
amend this resolution by replacing lines 13—39 of TB
page 63 with the following resolution:

Resolved: That in keeping with the sacredness of the
divine call to ministerial service, the dignity of the office
of the President of the Synod, the principle of fairness,
and respect for the informed, sincere Christian conscience
of the brother, the following sentence be deleted from
Bylaw 2.129b of Synod’s Handbook, p. 72: “Each candi-
date shall reply within 10 days as to his willingness to
serve if elected.”

This motion was declined after the delegates had
accepted the ruling of the chair and declined to call for
a division of the house on the issue. After further dis-
cussion the convention adopted Resolution 5-01 as pre-
sented.

Resolution 5-02 (TB 63) providing for the reporting
of the ballot tally for nominations to the office of Presi-
dent and First Vice-President of the Synod and in all
other elections was introduced. An amendment asking
the chair to instruct Committee 5 to determine their
opinion as to whether the election to the presidency
of the Synod constitutes a call was declined, as was an
amendment asking that this matter be referred to a
committee which the President of the Synod deemed
appropriate. A further motion asking that the report
regarding this matter be brought by Committee 5 to the
convention before the close of the nominations for
President was also rejected. Resolution 5-02 was then
adopted as presented.

Nominations for President

Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, then
made his report on nominations for President to the
convention (CW, page 395, 13-01). He reported the bal-
lot tally for all who had received at least five votes.