LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 42

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42 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

changes in the Handbook reflecting this change in
procedure are to be made by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters. This action was taken after the
convention had declined to consider Overture 6-46 (CW
245) as a substitute motion. Resolution 6-09 (TB 123),
encouraging Seminex graduates to seek endorsement
according to the procedures established by the Synod,
was adopted as presented. This action, however, was
taken only after considerable discussion had ensued
and after a number of suggested amendments had been
declined. One of these called for striking the words
“1976 and 1977” and substituting the words “if any” in
line 7 (TB 124) and adding after the word “graduates”
in line 8 the words “and that any residency study
previously and succesfully completed at any one of the
Synod’s recognized seminaries be credited in the
colloquy procedure.” Another called for substitution of
the words “at the time of the convening of the 1979
synodical convention” for the words “after January 1,
1978” in line 10 (TB 124). Delegates also declined to
delete the words “in a spirit of mutual repentance,
forgiveness, and reconciliation” in lines 68—69 (TB
123). A recommendation to add a final resolve stating:
“Resolved, That the Colloquy Board, when dealing
with Seminex graduates who have applied for colloquy,
be called upon to include in its process, with vote, the
following: the District President under whose supervi-
sion and pastoral concern the candidate has placed
himself, and a pastor, teacher, or professor in good
standing in the LCMS of the candidate’s choosing” was
also not accepted. Prior to the final vote on the
resolution, President Oswald of the California and
Nevada District was given an opportunity to address
the delegates. President Preus also addressed the
assembly on the issue before the vote was taken.

Standing Rules

The delegates amended the standing rules of the
convention by agreeing to limit debate after each
resolution to 30 minutes rather than to grant 30
minutes of debate for each amendment which is
proposed as well as for the main resolution.

Missions

Prior to considering resolutions from the Floor
Committee on Missions, Chairman Behnken of the
floor committee presented Mr. Fred Lietz, Executive
Secretary of the Church Extension Board, who has
been involved with the activities of the Church
Extension Fund for the past 20 years. In his remarks
My. Lietz stated that the program, which began 75
years ago with $400, has present assets of almost
$57,000,000. Mr. Vance Hinrichs, chairman of the
Board for Church Extension, spoke briefly to the
convention, announcing a gift to the church in the form
of a new program. One-half million dollars in interest-
free funds is being made available from the Church
Extension Fund for the purpose of providing foreign
mission facilities. After the convention had viewed a
Church anniversary film, the delegates considered Res.
2-10 (TB 41), encouraging congregations to participate
in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Church

Extension Fund. It was adopted as presented, as was
Res. 2-11 (TB 42), directing the Board for Church
Extension to continue its effort to comply wtih security
laws in various states. The delegates declined to take
action with respect to Overture 2-23 (CW 35), relating to
the continuation of Church Extension Fund loans to
AELC congregations, since this matter had already
been acted on through a policy previously adopted by the
Church Extension Board (Res. 2-32A, TB 262).

Recognitions

At this point in the session the convention paused to
honor a number of former synodical officers. Former
Vice-Presidents Wiederaenders, Friedrich, Nitz,
Streufert, and Wittmer were present and were recogniz-
ed with a standing ovation by the delegates. Former
President Dr. Oliver Harms, who had been present
previously in the session, could not be present at this
time. Other officers who could not be present were
former Vice-Presidents Lichtsinn and Herman Harms
and former Treasurer of the Synod, Martin Strieter.

Constitutional Matters

Chairman Schlecht of the Floor Committee on
Constitutional Matters reintroduced Res. 5-21 (TB 113),
which called for the referral of the question of
cumulative voting to the Task Force on Consitution,
Bylaws, and Structure. Discussion was begun on a
motion to amend the resolution by substituting the
words “has been suggested as” for the words “could be”
in line 57 and the word “question” for “matter” in line
60 (TB 113). This amendment was adopted. After
declining to consider Overture 5-77 (CW 194) as a
substitute resolution, the amended resolution was
declined by the delegates. Resolution 5-02A (TB 265),
which had been referred to the Floor Committee on
Constitutional Matters for reconsideration in a
previous session, was reintroduced. After declining to
delete the words “Redeemer Lutheran Church,
Lawrence, Kans.; Concord Lutheran Church, Prairie
Village, Kans.; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Great
Bend, Kans.;” from lines 19—20 (TB 265), the resolution
was adopted as originally presented.

Bylaw 2.129 f of the synodical Handbook was
changed by adoption of Res. 5-22 (TB 114). This Bylaw
prescribed the procedure to be followed in amending the
slate of candidates for the office of President and First
Vice-President of the Synod. Three resolutions referring
matters to the Task Force on Constitution, Bylaws, and
Structure were adopted collectively. The first of these
declined to deal with an overture which asked for
clarification of the nature of a Christian congregation
and its relation to the Synod (Res. 5-23, TB 114). The
second declined an overture asking for a more precise
description of the relationship between the Synod and
its District Presidents (Res. 5-26, TB 115). The third
declined an overture asking for revision of the
procedure for the election of District Presidents (Res. 5-
27, TB 115). In adopting Res. 5-25 (TB 115) the
convention concurred with the basic concerns of
Overture 5-112 (CW 205) and reminded the members of
the Synod to observe Scriptural and Handbook re-

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