LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 39

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 89

Dr. Robert Marshall, President of the Lutheran Church
in America. In his address, Dr. Marshall congratulated
Dr. Preus on his reelection and assured him of his
prayers that the Spirit of God might guide and direct
him in leading the church. He greeted the delegates as
brothers and sisters in Christ and reminded them that
the church is one body. He stated that he believes God
wants this unity manifested but that we have not yet
found the way to do this. In our efforts to achieve a
manifestation of this unity we must resist ecclesiastical
idolatry and ecclesiastical introversion. He pointed out
that there are a number of areas in which cooperative
work is being carried out either partially or completely.
These include such things as campus ministry, theolog-
ical studies, and other programs within LCUSA. Some
cooperative efforts are also being carried on outside
the Council in areas such as the preparation of a com-
mon hymn book and in the program of international
world relief. “The church has a great deal going for it”
he said. “We need to listen to the apostle’s plea, ‘en-
deavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of
peace’ and then they will know we are Christians by
our love.”

Dr. Preus also introduced Dr. Naumann of the Wis-
consin Evangelical Lutheran Synod who was present
with the Commission on Doctrine from that church
body as an observer.

Elections

After the ballots for the final position on the Board
for Missions had been cast, the elections were declared
closed.

Correction

Although the records of the Secretary of the Synod
and the Assistant Secretary as well as those of the
parliamentarians indicated that Resolution 3-09 had not
been placed on the floor through a motion and second,
the convention agreed with the ruling of the chair,
based on a statement of several delegates, that this had
indeed been done.

Procedure

Dr. Wiederaenders stated that in the further discus-
sion of Resolution 3-09 the 2-~minute restriction of time
per speaker would apply and that the previous ques-
tion would automatically be called after 30 minutes of
discussion. If the previous question would be called
for by a majority of the registered voting delegates, the
resolution would be placed before the convention for
a decision. The chair ruled on a question from the
floor that it was not necessary for the Board of Control
to have a hearing at this time unless the convention
should so decide. A motion that the Board of Control
be heard on the matters relative to consideration of
Res. 3-09 was ruled out of order by the chair since it
was made by someone making the motion after he had
called for a point of order and was therefore not priv-
ileged to make the motion. By common consent the
delegates agreed with the suggestion of District Presi-
dent Karl Barth that arrangements for the continuation

of discussion should be determined by the same com-
mittee which prepared the procedures for the 3-hour
morning discussion.

Closing

The morning session closed with a devotion led by
Mr. Waldo White.

Session 13

July 12, Afternoon
Opening
Opening devotions for the afternoon session were
led by Rev. William Wedig, a member of the executive
staff of the Southern District.

Elections

Chairman Mennicke reporting on the committee on
Elections declared that elections were now completed.
The committee was dismissed with thanks for its work.
Point of Privilege

Calling for a point of privilege a delegate pointed
out the difficulty of voting in the elections when there
is little information available concerning nominees
whose names are proposed from the floor. A motion was
then made, seconded, and approved asking that an ad
hoc committee made up of all areas and regions of our
Synod be appointed to study the provisions for the
nomination and election procedures. Another delegate
calling for a point of privilege moved that points of
order which are brought to the chair be read by the
chairman and ruled on. This motion was adopted.

Procedures

Dr. Wiederaenders asked the delegates for approval
for procedures which had been worked out by the com-
mittee which was designated to propose the procedures
to be followed in discussion in the afternoon session.
He indicated that four actions would be necessary and
they would have to follow a certain sequence. First,
Committee 3 wished to amend Resolution 3-09 by
changing the resolveds on line 31 of page 114 of TB
and adding another resolved. Second, a ruling would
have to be made on a point of order which raised the
question of the constitutionality of consideration of Res.
3-09. Thirdly, the convention would have to consider
the request that a reply of the Board of Control of the
St. Louis seminary, as well as an answer to that reply
be distributed. Dr. Wiederaenders stated that he would
ask the committee to place the amendment before the
convention for consideration and adoption by means of
a motion and a second. The convention then would not
deal with the amended resolution immediately but would
first hear the point of order challenging the validity of
presentation of the resolution on the basis of the Con-
stitution. If presentation of the resolution was found
to be unconstitutional, this would eliminate Resolution
3-09 from consideration. If it was declared constitutional
then the resolution would be considered. Before its
consideration, however, the report of the Board of
Control would be heard, and finally action would be
taken on the amended resolution.