LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 25

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5

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 25

4-03 (TB 23) which were adopted. As a result Trinity,
Onarga, Ill, was transferred from the Northern Illinois
to the Central Illinois District, St. Paul’s, Venango,
Nebr., was transferred from the Nebraska to the Colo-
rado District and Christ the Cornerstone Congregation
of San Diego, Calif., was received into membership of
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. Overture 4-44
(Workbook 197) calling for exercise of good steward-
ship with the Synod’s budget was referred to admin-
istrations at the synodical, District, and circuit levels
(TB 24, 4-04). The delegates adopted Res. 4-05 asking
that The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod abide by
Handbook regulations regarding tenure offices in the
Synod and by decisions of the New Orleans convention
regarding faculty tenure (TB 24). They resolved that
the Synod, Districts, and congregations should continue
to give preference to firms which have equal oppor-
tunity practices (Res. 4-06, TB 24). As a result of con-
vention action involving a change in Bylaw 1.37, con-
vention Proceedings will be mailed to all congregations
and to all voting and advisory delegates (Res. 4-07,
TB 25). By adopting Res. 4-08 (TB 25) and Res. 4-09
(TB 26) the delegates declined to eliminate the review
of proceedings of pastoral and teachers conferences and
to eliminate the excuse committee for District conven-
tions. A change in the Bylaws by the delegates will
mean that in the future only member congregations of
the Synod will receive copies of the Statistical Yearbook
at synodical expense, although other copies will be
available for sale at cost (Res. 4-11, TB 57). The con-
vention agreed with the committee recommendation to
continue the Commission on World Hunger but after
considerable discussion declined its recommendation to
commend and dismiss with thanks the Commission on

Mission and Ministry in the Church. (Res. 4-12 and -

4-14, TB 58)

Closing

Prior to the closing devotion Dr. Preus introduced
Dr. Roland Wiederaenders, retiring First Vice-Presi-
dent of the Synod, and on behalf of the Synod thanked
him for his outstanding work in District and synodical
administration. Dr. Wiederaenders responded by ex-
pressing his thanks for this privilege which God had
given him in serving in these capacities and reminded
the delegates to continue reflecting the Savior’s love for
them in their outreach of love and compassion to others.

The session closed with the devotion led by Dr.
Wiederaenders.

Session 4

July 9, Morning

Opening

The fourth session of the convention began with a
devotion consisting of a hymn and prayer led by Rev.
Lothar Kleinhans and a portion of the convention
essay presented by convention essayist Dr. August
Suelfiow, director of Concordia Historical Institute and
synodical archivist. He stated that since it is impossible
to report all of the historical vignettes of our synodical

Holy Communion at the Sunday evening anniversary service

history a judicial selection of them would be made. It
was his hope that this would result in a deeper appre-
ciation of God’s blessings and would assist in rejoicing
in His mercy. Today we can detect a nostalgia for the
past, a past which is important since those who cannot
remember it are doomed to repeat it. Our job is not to
walk in the cemetery of the past but through the pages
of the past in order to renew our commitment and help
us meet the contemporary challenges. A proper re-
sponse would be, “Not unto us, O Lord, but unto Thy
name be glory.” Dr. Suelflow then proceeded to present
several vignettes from the early history of the Missouri
Synod which reflected the difficult conditions which
they experienced in their witness to their faith partic-
ularly during periods of disease and epidemic. The sac-
rificial work of these early leaders should be an in-
spiration for us today.

Elections

Chairman Mennicke of the Elections Committee re-
ported that in the balloting for the remaining vice-
presidential offices 1,054 votes were cast. Since a 75%
majority or 791 votes were needed for election and no
candidate had received this number, no election had
occurred. Of the 70 names submitted the 12 receiving
the highest number of votes would be placed on the
next ballot. These were: Guido Merkens 599, Walter
Maier 493, Theo. Nickel 492, August Bernthal 415, W.
Krieger 400, Moses Dickinson 321, Emil Jaech 277, Paul
Jacobs 215, William Kohn 124, Paul Harms 113, Charles
Mueller 99, Karl Barth 45.

The remaining names and totals were also read to
the convention as required by the Bylaws.

Prior to the vote for vice~presidential positions
Charles Mueller and Emil Jaech requested that their
names be withdrawn. A motion that the nominating
ballot remain as stated was approved although these
names were withdrawn from consideration. Delegates
were reminded to vote for only four candidates and that
a simple majority was needed for election.

Announcements

President Preus announced to the delegates that 170
resolutions had been presented thus far for action to