LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 36

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36 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

replaced the words ‘“‘it is now in a state of ‘fellowship in
protest’ with the ALC” (lines 6—7, TB 196) with the
words “fellowship with the ALC at the synodical level
does not exist.” If the substitute motion had been
accepted, the title would also have had to be changed to
“To Declare that Fellowship with the ALC Does Not
Exist” (line 9, TB 195). An additional amendment,
calling for the substitution of the words “fellowship
with reservation” for all references to “fellowship in
protest” in the resolution and the substitution in lines
138—15 (TB 196) of the words “that the Synod review the
progress made with the ALC in the 1979 convention”
for the present wording in the resolution was also
declined. After agreeing to terminate debate the
resolution was then adopted as presented, declaring a
state of fellowship in protest with The American
Lutheran Church. Resolution 3-03A (TB 196), calling
for continuation of selective participation in LCUSA,
was also adopted. This was done after the delegates
had declined to consider Overture 3-121A (CW 104) asa
substitute motion and after they had received an
explanation from Dr. Preus with regard to the opera-
tion of LCUSA. By adopting Res. 3-05A (TB 197) the
delegates amended the Bylaws of the synodical
Handbook relating to the approval of synodical books
of worship. As a result of this change all service books
and hymnals which are accepted as official receive this
status only by action of a convention of the Synod.

LCUSA

Dr. George Harkins, General Secretary of LCUSA,
who was introduced to the delegates by Dr. Preus,
addressed them with regard to the work of this
organization. He stated that the hope of closer unity
within the Council has not vanished but now burns less
brilliantly than it did some years ago. He expressed the
thanks of LCUSA for the men and women from The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who serve in staff
positions in the organization, for involvement of the
Synod in the establishment and relocation of con-
gregations through the Commission on Mission and
Ministry, for the financial, moral, and spiritual support
which is given to members of the Armed Forces, for
involvement in the resettlement of refugees, for the
theological studies which are carried on and in which
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is involved,
and for the involvement of the Synod in the work of the
Division of Campus Ministry and Services. He urged
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to participate
in the Office of Governmental Affairs again if possible,
as well as in the work of the Office of Communications
and Information. Dr. Harkins concluded by predicting
that for the next decade LCUSA will become more
important than ever for all Lutheran bodies. He stated
that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will
continue to need LCUSA, and it surely will need The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Essay

Rev. Samuel Nafzger, Executive Secretary of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations and
convention essayist, began the presentation by con-

tinuing his discussion on the topic of Law and Gospel,
pointing to the difficulty of properly distinguishing
between the two. He pointed out that we must not only
know what they are but when they are to be applied,
and then illustrated the proper and improper use of the
Law and Gospel. The Bible study of 1 Peter 1:13-25 was
led by the Rev. DeWitt Robinson. This portion of the
morning session concluded with the singing of the hymn
“Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake.”

Constitutional Matters

Chairman Schlecht of the Floor Committee on
Constitutional Matters introduced Res. 5-02A (7B 265),
calling for the acceptance of certain newly organized
congregations by the Synod. In the discussion which
followed a motion to delete the words “Redeemer
Lutheran Church, Lawrence, Kans.; Concord
Lutheran Church, Prairie Village, Kans.; Our Savior
Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Kans.;” (lines 19—20,
TB 265), and to change the words “finally” to “further”
in line 31, and to add a final resolve stating “that the
request of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lawrence,
Kans.; Concord Lutheran Church, Prairie Village,
Kans.; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Great Bend,
Kans., be referred to the Kansas District at this time for
resolution of any difficulties and action on their
requests” was declined after the convention had agreed
to close debate on the amendment. After the amend-
ment had been declined, the delegate who offered the
amendment was granted the privilege of speaking to it.
Following further discussion on the resolution a motion
was made and adopted to recommit Res. 5-02A (7B 265)
to the Floor Committee on Constitutional Matters. The
delegates adopted Res. 5-14 (TB 111) and thereby
revised Bylaw 1.27 c, relating to overtures which shall
not be accepted for convention consideration. They did
this after declining amendments to add the words “or
overtures which contain defamatory allegations” after
the word “appeal” in line 47 (7B 111) or the words “or in
matters for which the Constitution or Bylaws have
provided specific procedures” at the same point. By
adoption of Res. 5-15 (TB 111) the Secretary of the
Synod was authorized to make the election results of
1969 and 1971 available upon request. Through
adoption of a change in Bylaw 2.127 a of the synodical
Handbook, congregations were granted the privilege of
nominating two clergymen for the office of President
and two for that of First Vice-President of the Synod
rather than only one, as had been the case previously
(Res. 5-16, TB 112). After declining to consider Overture
5-68A (CW 191) as a substitute resolution, the conven-
tion adopted Res. 5-17 (TB 112) and retained the present
provisions of the synodical Handbook for the submis-
sion of overtures. They declined to clarify the role of the
synodical and District President since this matter
would require study and consideration and properly
belongs to the assignment given to the Task Force on
Constitution, Bylaws, and Structure. The matter was
referred to the Task Force for their consideration and
recommendation to the 1979 synodical convention (Res.
5-18, TB 112). During the discussion of the resolution
the delegates agreed to delete the word “possible” in

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