LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 36

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36 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

They urged the Board of Managers to study the mat-
ter of providing maternity benefits for new professional
church work as well as the matter of providing ade-
quate medical coverage for seminary students (Res.
12-16, TB 151). A request was made for the same group
to carry out a feasibility study on providing benefit
coverage to employees in the Concordia Welfare Plans
to adopt a child through a legally certified adoption
agency. (Res. 12-17, TB 151)

Chairman Goetz reported that this concluded the
work of Committee 12 but indicated that the group
would be returning as a new committee to present the
work program of the Synod.

Greetings

A letter of greetings from Rev. Edward G. Thomas,
President of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church, a
sister church of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
was read to the convention. Rev. Thomas emphasized
the fact that the two churches are one in faith and
confession though they may be different in many things.

LWML

Vice-President Krieger introduced Mrs. C. R. Montz,
president of the LWML to the delegates. In her remarks
she said that she was bringing greetings from the 200,-
000 women in the organization to all of the missionaries
who were sitting on the convention floor. When assum-
ing her office she had chosen as her motto, “Be full of
joy in the Lord.” She had chosen this verse since it says
something positive about serving our Lord. She said
the task of the LWML was to inspire women to serve
our Lord where they are. The League inspired women
to be in a mission to women and a mission through
women, The League has a program of mission study
of the Word of God. Much of this is done through in-
dividual Bible studies called “Mustard Seeds.” The
latest of these is titled “The Spirit and Me.” Although
she recognized that most of the delegates were men
and ineligible to join the LWML she asked them to join
their hearts and minds in the pledge of this group.
She left with the words “Go Ye” asking the delegates
to spread the Word of Christ and His love in their
homes, jobs, community, and throughout our great and
wonderful world.

Brazil

The chairman next called upon Dr. Milton Carpen-
ter to respond to a question which had been raised
with regard to financial matters. He addressed himself
to the floor regarding the investments made in the
country of Brazil. In his response he made it very clear
that no fees were involved in the Brazil transaction and
that no one benefited from it in a personal financial way.
This investment can be of great service to the church
in Brazil and had a precedent in similar investments
which have been made in Japan.

In response to a point of privilege delegates were
informed that they might visit with the Treasurer to
discuss any matters which were of concern to them
after the session.

Lutheran Laymen’s League

After the order of the day was called for, Chairman
Krieger introduced Mr. Gus Melde, president of the
Lutheran Laymen’s League. In his presentation he
emphasized the work which is carried out by the
League through the Lutheran Hour, television ministry,
preaching through the press program, and cassette min-
istries. Through these programs 2% billion people are
reached annually with the Gospel of Christ. The
League provides materials for devotion, social minis-
try, and evangelism. He closed his remarks by inviting
the delegates to the Lutheran Laymen’s League conven-
tion which will be held in Tulsa at the end of July.

Theology and Church Relations and Seminary Issues

The committees on Theology and Church Relations
and on Seminary Issues reintroduced Res. 3-01 (TB
93) asking the convention to adopt the document, “A
Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles.”
A motion from the floor asking that this matter and
similar resolutions be referred to the Council of Dis-
trict Presidents was declined. The question on this
amendment was called prior to the completion of one
half hour of discussion. It failed to receive the required
two-thirds majority needed to close debate. After the
expiration of 30 minutes, debate ceased when the con-
vention, following the standing rule adopted earlier in
the day provided the simple majority of registered
voters needed to call the question. The delegates then
declined the amendment to refer the resolution to the
Council of Presidents by a vote of 435 to 572. A motion
proposing a secret ballot was also declined.

An amendment was proposed from the floor, “Re-
solved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
declare “A Statement” may be used in judging the fit-
ness for membership in The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod of any official, minister, teacher, or con-
firmed lay member.” In response to the amendment,
floor committee chairman Karl Barth stated that in his
personal opinion the proposed amendment went beyond
anything which the committee envisioned.

The convention by a vote of 580 to 429 agreed to
limit debate on both the amendment and the main mo-
tion. After further discussion, the chairman ruled that
the time required for discussion by amended standing
rules of the convention had passed and asked if the
assembly would sustain him in his interpretation of the
rules of order underlying the motion passed by the
assembly that a majority of the registered voting dele-
gates could end debate at specified intervals. This was
done after an objection to the chair’s interpretation of
Robert’s Rules of Order had been raised by a delegate.
They did so sustain the chair by a vote of 579 to 386.
The delegates then declined the amendment and there-
upon adopted Resolution 3-01 (TB 93) by a vote of
562 to 455.

Point of Privilege

Speaking on a point of privilege Rev. Herman Neu-
naber, President of the Southern Illinois District, asked
that his concerns about the resolution be entered into