LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 46

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46 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Japan Lutheran Church has recognized the respon-
sibility of the Japanese Christians to evangelize other
members of their country. This interdependence in-
volves both provision of men and money by the Japan
Lutheran Church as well as The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod. As an example of what has occurred, he
indicated that presently the average annual contribu-
tion of each member of the Japan Lutheran Church is
$176.

Missionary Dennis Hilgendorf, missionary to the
Muslim Arabic-speaking people in the Mid-East, began
his presentation by asking the delegates to join him in
prayer. He spoke of the tragedy which has occurred in
the country of Lebanon in which 60,000 people have
been killed in the last 2 years. As his second point he
spoke of the blessing that during the tragedy the Lord
had chosen to protect and guide the missionaries and
staff. As his final point he offered a loving rebuke and
appeal to the members of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod to get more in touch with the world in
which God is at work.

Chairman Behnken of the Floor Committee on
Missions indicated that this completed the report of his
committee and then led the delegates in prayer.

LCMS Foundation

Mr. Edwin Schiewe, chairman of the Board of
Trustees of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Foundation, was granted the privilege of addressing
the convention. He described the activities of the
Foundation and the importance of the work which is
being carried out by it, reminding the delegates of the
opportunities which the Foundation offers them for
serving the church with the blessings which they
have received.

Theology and Church Relations

Dr. Happel, chairman of the Floor Committee on
Theology and Church Relations, introduced Res. 3-04A
(TB 318), which called for the convention to deal with
the proposed Lutheran Book of Worship. The resolution
which was presented was identical with Res. 3-04 (TB
55) with the exception of the 5th, 6th, and 7th resolves,
which were added, and the change of the words “the
synodical Vice-President” to “a synodical Vice-
President.”

Orders of the Day

In order to provide for discussion of this resolution,
the chairman indicated that the orders of the day would
be changed so that the convention essay would begin at
10:10 rather than 10:00 as indicated.

Theology and Church Relations

In the discussion of Res. 3-04A the delegates
declined to consider a lengthy substitute motion. An
additional substitute motion was then offered. After it
had been presented to the delegates, the Floor Com-
mittee on Theology and Church Relations stated that
they had received a ruling from the Commission on
Constitutional Matters which declared a proposed
substitute motion unconstitutional. On a point of order

A lighter moment

one of the delegates indicated that if the convention
agreed to consider the substitute resolution, it had in
effect overruled the Commission on Constitutional
Matters. Secretary Mueller, however, indicated that if
the convention wished to consider this substitute
resolution, it would be better to deal with the matter
directly and to overrule the decision of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters. The substitute resolution
asked that the “Blue Ribbon” committee be responsible
for reviewing the final ILCW draft of the Lutheran
Book of Worship after it had followed the regular
review process, that the committee complete its work as
quickly as possible, and that CPH be authorized to
proceed with the publication of the Lutheran Book of
Worship in cooperation with the ALC and LCA
publishing houses as soon as the review processes were
completed. It also asked that the matter of official
endorsement be taken up at the next regular synodical
convention.

Essay

Rev. Samuel Nafzger, convention essayist,
presented the final portion of his essay relating to the
proper distinction of Law and Gospel. The Bible study
based on 1 Peter 2:11—3:17 was led by Dr. Richard
Schultz, director of Advanced Studies at Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis. Following the presentation and
study the delegates joined in singing “The Church’s
One Foundation” and thanked Rev. Nafzger and those
who had led the Bible studies during the convention
with a standing ovation.

Recognition

Dr. Arthur Borden, speaking for the American Bible
Society, thanked the Synod for its part in the distribu-
tion of God’s Word, for the participation of leaders and
individuals of the Synod in the work of the American
Bible Society, and for the financial support which has
been given it. During the first six months of 1977 this
financial support has been $72,000. He also referred to a
number of projects which are being carried out by the
American Bible Society. Among these are the Good