LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 34

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34 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

serve as coordinator in exchanging information regar-
ding circuit-rider ministries and directed it to work with
concerned Districts in their efforts to meet the spiritual
needs of scattered Lutherans (Res. 2-25, TB 48). They
overwhelmingly adopted a resolution recognizing the
contributions of all agencies, auxiliary organizations,
and fraternal-benevolent agencies in assisting in
carrying the Gospel throughout the world (Res. 2-28, TB
50). At the request of Dr. Coates the Floor Committee on
Missions presented a resolution declining Overture 2-29
(CW 36), which was adopted by the delegates (Res. 2-15A
TB 194). The Board for Missions was asked to consider
the concerns presented in a minority report by a member
of the Board for Missions when evaluating their work
and relationships (Res. 2-16, TB 44). Since the concerns
expressed in Overtures 2-24A—B (CW 35) were in the
area of the Synod working at the District level rather
than at the national level, these overtures were declined
(Res. 2-33A, 7B 263). Delegates also declined to consider
Overture 2-28 (CW 36), relating to the employment of
Citizen Band radio in the service of the Gospel (Res. 2-34,
TB 52), as well as Overture 6-110 (CW 263), requesting
$10,000 for the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ
building (Res. 2-35, TB 52). During the discussion of the
last resolution a substitute motion, asking that con-
gregations and individuals be encouraged to begin or
increase their support for the Ongoing Ambassadors for
Christ program, was withdrawn. Resolution 2-36 (TB
263) was adopted, commending the Lutheran Associa-
tion of Missionaries and Pilots for their concern and love
in the work which they are doing, and asking that the
Board for Missions seek to determine what relationship
might be established between this group and the Synod.

Special and Sundry Matters

Chairman Bahr of the Floor Committee on Special
and Sundry Matters began the work of this committee
by presenting Res. 9-01A (TB 269), asking for the
establishment of themes for the 1979 and 1981
conventions in the areas of missions and stewardship
respectively. This resolution was adopted. Since finan-
cial support for military chaplains being separated
from active duty is now provided through government
auspices, the delegates agreed to revise Bylaw 15.25,
relating to military and veterans administration
chaplains (Res. 9-02, TB 153). They expressed their
support for the ministry of the Armed Forces Commis-
sion and asked all pastors and congregations to
cooperate with the commission by promptly reporting
all names and addresses of those serving in the Armed
Forces to the commission, and participating in the an-
nual Mother’s Day offering, which is used to support
this vital ministry (Res. 9-03, TB 154). Resolution 9-04A
(TB 269), asking for the release of funds for completion of
an addition to Concordia Historical Institute, was in-
troduced. By committee consent the word “tentatively”
was added between the words “meeting” and “ap-
proved” in line 55 (TB 269), and the words “subject to
the availability of funds” after “Thankoffering” in line
56 (TB 269). Because of some unresolved questions
relating to the availability of funds, this resolution was
tabled by the delegates. The convention expressed its

thanks to God for pastors, teachers, and other retired
servants of God as gifts to the church and asked that
the Synod show its thanks by providing free synodical
mailings of such items as would assist them to continue
to advise and serve the church (Res. 9-05, TB 155). The
convention expressed its support for and urged the
promotion of the “Growth in Ministry” program on
District and congregational levels (Res. 9-06, TB 155). It
agreed to study equity compensation for pastors and
teachers who are provided with a parsonage or
teacherage as part of their compensation (Res. 9-07, TB
156) and revised the requirement regarding attendance
at conferences, asking that conference programs be
developed with specific attention to the fulfillment of
the aims of paragraph 4.121 of the Handbook (Res. 9-08,
TB 156). After substituting the word “fair” for the word
“honest” in line 56 (7B 156) and declining an amend-
ment to add as a final resolve “that we urge the Council
of Presidents to find a way for at least three evaluations
to be given and that these evaluations be signed and
dated,” the delegates adopted Res. 9-09 (TB 156), asking
for the development of standardized instruments and
procedures for pastoral and congregational
characterizations of candidates for the office of pastor
in a congregation. Since the synodical Handbook
already clearly delineates the duties of the synodical
President, District Presidents, and the Circuit
Counselors regarding the supervision of clergy and
congregations, the delegates agreed to decline con-
sideration of Overtures 9-08A—D (CW 213). They did
this by adopting Res. 9-10 (TB 157). The chairman
announced that with the exception of the motion which
had been tabled, this completed the work of the Floor
Committee on Special and Sundry Matters.

Program Implementation

Dr. Paul Zimmerman, chairman of the Floor
Committee on Program Implementation, addressed the
delegates briefly, explaining that program implementa-
tion is all about taking the Gospel into the world. He
stated that we have many assets, including many
people and above all the limitless power of God’s
blessing. Resolution 13-01 (TB 171), asking for provi-
sion of an ongoing stewardship program and the
prioritizing of budgets on the basis of the Great
Commission, was introduced. This was done after
striking the word “the” in line 53 (TB 171) and
changing “this” to “its” in line 61 of the same page.
After some discussion debate was terminated by action
of the convention, and the resolution was adopted as
presented. Resolution 13-02 (TB 172) was next in-
troduced, asking for implementation of a Circuit
Counselors conference for the training of Circuit
Counselors under the synodical Stewardship Depart-
ment with the understanding that all Circuit
Counselors would visit each congregation in their
circuits to apply the principles which had been learned
and discuss with them the work of the Synod and the
congregation’s responsibility. In the discussion which
followed the convention declined to consider a sub-
stitute motion which asked that after the word
“arrange” in line 24 (TB 172) the words “for

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