LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 24

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24 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Award

Mr. Richard Sauer, president of the Lutheran Edu-
cation Association, presented the Christus Magister
award to Mr. Norman Brinkman, principal of Lutheran
High School, Denver. He is the first member of a Lu-
theran high school staff to win the honor. The award
contains the inscription “A teacher come from God,
John 3:2!”

Parish Services

The convention adopted a resolution to extend mar-
riage and family counseling seminars and asked the
Synod to fund these programs out of the 125th Anniver-
sary Thankoffering as well as to engage a full-time
project director to carry them out (Res. 7-02, TB 43).
It urged congregations and school associations to foster
a better understanding of Lutheran schools by com-
municating their purposes, programs, and contributions
to others and by participating in activities and meetings
of public, governmental, and other groups (Res. 7-07,
TB 43). It asked congregations to study the possibility
of engaging Directors of Christian Education and re-
quested District executives to identify parishes where
they might develop an effective ministry, assisting them
financially where necessary (Res. 7-08, TB 44). Con-
gregations were encouraged to carefully select and use
parish educational materials since it is their responsi-
bility to develop local educational programs (Res. 7-09,
TB 44).

Theology and Church Relations

Beginning with a prayer that God might help us all
to see, know, and do his will, Chairman Karl Barth of
the floor committee for Theology and Church Relations
introduced Res. 2-03 (TB 27) calling on the delegates
to accept the position paper “A Statement on Death,
Resurrection, and Immortality.” After questions were
raised regarding the meaning of “reference and gui-
dance” and “accept,” the floor committee chairman
suggested a change of wording in the resolved so that
it would read, “Resolved, That the Synod commend the
position paper ‘A Statement on Death, Resurrection,
and Immortality’ to its membership for reference and
guidance.” After a motion to recommit the resolution
to the committee for reconsideration had failed, the
amendment was adopted and the delegates accepted the
resolution (2-04, TB 27) as amended. No negative votes
were recorded. The committee next presented its reso-
lution asking the delegates to declare homophile be-
havior sinful and urging that the Law and Gospel of
the Scriptures be applied to such people with a view
toward ministering the forgiveness of Christ to any and
all sinners who are pentitent. Time for discussion of
this resolution expired before the convention could take
action.

Elections

Chairman August Mennicke of the floor committee
reported the following election results for the office of
First Vice-President of the Synod.

August Bernthal __._ 356 Guido Merkens ................ 79
Moses Dickinson _._..._.. 48 Edwin Weber _.............. 486

969 votes were cast with a majority of 485 needed
for election. On the basis of the tabulation, Dr. Edwin
Weber was declared elected. Addressing the conven-
tion, Dr. Weber stated that he would try his best under
the direction of God’s Holy Spirit to serve in the posi-
tion to which he was elected.

Chairman Mennicke then explained the method of
nominations for the remaining synodical vice-presidents
on the basis of the Bylaws of the Synod. After ballots
had been distributed the nominations were declared
closed.

Social Ministry

Chairman John Zimmermann of the floor committee
on Social Ministry introduced the report of the com-
mittee. He presented Dr. Leslie Weber, executive sec-
retary of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief,
who gave a brief history of social work within the
Synod. He pointed out that we do not do our work as
humanitarians but because we believe in the crucified
and risen Lord and strive to imitate Him in the helping
process. Our ministry is a total ministry. He also asked
the delegates to include Dr. Werner Kuntz, former
executive secretary of the Board for World Relief from
1953 to 1970, in their prayers since he is critically ill
at this time.

Chairman Zimmermann introduced Res. 9-01 (TB
52) after changing the subject to read, “To give serious
consideration to priorities in social ministry and world
relief” and eliminating the words “That we receive the
report of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief,
and” from the resolution. The delegates agreed to urge
their congregations to give serious consideration to the
seven priorities included in the report of the Board of
Social Ministry and World Relief (Workbook 313—317).
Res. 9-02 (TB 52) was also adopted after changing the
subject to read “To encourage the Commission on So-
cial Concerns to continue to make their position papers
and study documents available to the Synod” and alter-
ing the resolved to agree with the title. Res. 9-03 (TB
53) asking congregations to sensitize their members to
the problem of world hunger was introduced and dis-
cussed. The words “Members of the Synod” were
changed to “their members” in the first resolved by
common consent. Rev. Martin Poch, secretary of the
Commission on World Hunger, called attention to the
first whereas giving special attention in his remarks
to the needs in Nigeria and the drought-stricken dis-
trict of the sub Sahara. An amendment was made and
seconded to add an additional resolved reading, “That
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod contribute $1
million during the next 2 years for helping to alleviate
the hunger crisis in India, Africa, and Central America,
and that it do this through Lutheran World Relief, In-
corporated.” Time again expired before the convention
could complete action on the amendment and the reso-
lution.

Synodical Administration

Chairman Albin Stanfel of the floor committee on
Synodical Administration presented Res. 4-01, 4-02, and

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