LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 35

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 35

development, publication, and distribution of a hand-
book for Circuit Counselors to assist them in the
performance of their duties” be substituted for the
words “such a conference in 1978 following the District
conventions” (lines 24—25, TB 172). After agreeing to
terminate debate, the convention declined this resolu-
tion. After adding the words “or institutes” after the
word “workshops” and before “to” (line 24, TB 173),
delegates directed the Stewardship Department of the
Synod to promote God-pleasing proportionate giving
through such workshops or institutes, encouraging
those who attend them to return to their congregations
and present to their members the challenge of raising
their level of proportionate giving (Res. 13-03, TB 173).
They encouraged the promotion of mission education in
our church on all levels and asked the President of the
Synod to invite and host leaders of the partner
churches for the 1979 convention in order to assist in
such promotion (Res. 13-04A, TB 240). After con-
siderable discussion they also resolved to reestablish a
“Synodical Sunday,’ asking that the Board of Directors
designate such a Sunday, with offerings on that day
being designated for the use of the Synod to finance its
programs and asking the Board of Stewardship to
coordinate the activities of this Sunday (Res. 13-05, TB
174). Discussion was begun on Res. 13-06 (TB 174),
calling for acceptance of the reports of the Treasurer
and Assistant Treasurer/Acting Controller. Time for
discussion of the resolution expired, however, before
action could be completed on it.

Closing Devotion

As a closing devotion of this session Chaplain
Streufert led the delegates in a brief patriotic service.

Point of Privilege

Following the closing devotion President Preus
granted a point of privilege to a delegate, permitting
him to address the assembly for a few minutes. His
remarks were related to a statement which had been
made in an earlier session and were intended by him to
be a message of “healing and understanding.”

Session 7

July 19, Morning

Opening

The seventh session of the convention was opened
with the singing of “Awake, My Soul” by the delegates
and with the reading of John 10 in Wendish by Pastor
John Socha. After Chaplain Streufert read this same
section in English, he led the delegates in a prayer for
peace and concord within the church.

Remaining Resolutions

President Preus announced that a large number of
resolutions remain to be acted upon by the convention
and asked the committee chairmen to begin prioritizing
their resolutions.

Social Ministry

As the first order of business the convention
resumed discussion of Res. 8-04 (TB 147), asking for the
sponsorship of “Serve Your Neighborhood” workshops.
Action on this resolution had not been completed in a
previous session. After Floor Committee Chairman
Marcis introduced a member of the committee who had
had experience with these workshops to explain their
function to the convention, the delegates adopted this
resolution as proposed. Resolution 8-06 (TB 148) was
adopted, encouraging congregations and individuals to
seek ways to conserve energy wherever possible and to
be especially concerned for those who suffer hardship
because of the energy crisis. They did this after placing
the words “be urged to” between the words “Synod”
and “individually” in line 21, the words “be encouraged
to” between the words “member” and “determine” in
line 24, and the words “be strongly encouraged to”
between the words “congregations” and “show” in line
27 by common consent. After Dr. Preus had received a
citation in behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod from the National Voluntary Organization for
Independent Living for the Aging because of the work
of the Synod in this area, the delegates adopted Res. 8-
07 (TB 148), calling for expansion of Project Compas-
sion and setting as a goal 25,000 trained Project
Compassion volunteers in the field by 1980. They also
adopted Res. 8-08 (TB 149), encouraging growth in
social ministry on the part of pastors, teachers, and
congregations through the establishment of boards and
committees related to this work. Prior to presenting the
resolution the committee had struck Overture 8-03 from
line 7 (TB 149). The convention also expressed its
continued concern for criminal justice and prisoner
rehabilitation and asked that funds be included in the
operating budget of the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief for the preparation and distribution of
appropriate guidelines relating to this matter (Res. 8-10,
TB 150).

Parliamentary Procedure

Prior to beginning the work of the next floor
committee, the convention approved the introduction of
resolutions by title unless there was objection. The
delegates were, however, reminded that resolutions
relating to Bylaw changes must be read.

Theology and Church Relations

Chairman Happel of the Floor Committee on
Theology and Church Relations reintroduced Res. 3-
02A (TB 195), on which action had not been completed
in a previous session. Before resuming discussion on
the resolution the delegates heard from Dr. Ralph
Bohlmann, a member of the Commission on
Fellowship. In the discussion which followed the
delegates declined to consider a substitute motion
calling for deletion of lines 41—63 (TB 195) and the
replacement of these lines with the resolve “that the
LCMS declare with regret that fellowship with the ALC
at the synodical level does not exist on account of the
doctrinal differences listed above.” It also would have