LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 53

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 53

Elections

Dr. Herman Scherer, speaking for the Floor Com-
mittee on Elections, declared the elections closed after
ballots had been distributed for the remaining unfilled
positions of officers and boards of the Synod.

Point of Privilege

Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, on a point of privilege, stated
that he hoped President David Preus would not
misunderstand the resolution regarding fellowship
which had been adopted by the convention. He pointed
out that no due date had been set for the end of
fellowship but that the resolution only asked for
reconsideration of the matter at the convention in 1979.

Information

Secretary Mueller reported the address of delegate
Norman David to the convention in order to provide an
opportunity for delegates to write to him if they wished
to do so. He also asked them to remember Pastor David
in their prayers.

President Preus announced that the packets con-
taining a cassette and filmstrip of the convention
would be available to voting delegates at the close of
the session.

Ethnic Concerns

Chairman Bryant Clancy of the Floor Committee on
Ethnic Concerns presented Res. 10-17 (TB 167), calling
for the support of ministry among North American
Indians. In adopting it the convention resolved that the
synodical task force for ministry to the American
Indians should receive the full support of the Synod,
asked it to recognize the Center for Indian Ministry and
Studies at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, as a
valuable resource for ministry to the American Indian
people, and resolved to establish on one of the college
campuses a program for training workers for
evangelism work among the American Indians. After
the floor committee had deleted the first three
whereases of Res. 10-14 (TB 166), as well as the words
“Blacks and” in lines 3 and 25 (TB 166), and after the
convention had adopted an amendment changing the
resolve to read: “That the Synod in convention direct
the Board of Directors to provide $25,000 to make
possible a program of scholarships to Hispanics who
are enrolled in a pastoral training program at a
synodical college or seminary,” it adopted the resolu-
tion as amended. Resolution 10-15 (TB 166), calling for
the Synod to recognize the need for training students in
ethnic ministries and for insertion of required courses,
workshops, and seminars into the curriculum of the
schools of higher education for the accomplishment of
this, was also accepted. By adoption of Res. 10-13 (TB
165) delegates resolved that special and concerted
efforts should be made by officials, boards, and
congregations of the Synod to correct the image of
church work which is present for young Blacks since
this image often discourages many who are qualified
academically, spiritually, and emotionally from enter-
ing the work, and in Res. 10-21 (TB 169) encouraged

Black youth representation on youth boards. Since
many Black teachers enter into teaching in Lutheran
schools from public institutions, the Synod was asked
to review the requirements for the colloquy program
with the purpose of qualifying public college graduates
for the teaching ministry in the church through
correpondence courses and other methods (Res. 10-20,
TB 169). The convention agreed with the Floor
Committee on Ethnic Concerns in declining Overture
10-08 (CW 323), calling for the development of liturgical
music and hymnody appropriate to Black con-
gregations, by adopting Res. 10-22 (TB 169). They
agreed that support for Alabama Lutheran Academy
and College should be accelerated, that one Sunday out
of the year should be designated as Alabama Lutheran
Academy and College Sunday, that on this Sunday
congregations should be informed about this important
segment of the Synod’s ministry, and that offerings
should be received in support of it (Res. 10-05, TB 161).
Adoption of this resolution completed the work of the
Committee on Ethnic Concerns. Chairman Clancy
commended the spirit of the convention which was
evident in adopting the resolutions of the committee.

Point of Privilege

On a point of privilege a member of the Board of
Control of Alabama Lutheran Academy and College
also expressed his appreciation for the actions of the
convention.

On another point of privilege a member of the Board
for Missions proposed the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Black Lutheran Centennial Committee

was formed by our Synod and has carried out a commen-
dable task; and

Wuereas, The Black Mission Model Task Force was
authorized by the Synod in convention at Anaheim and
was duly appointed by the Board for Missions; and

Wuereas, The Ethnic Concerns Floor Committee of the

convention carried out a very responsible task, and
WHEREAS, The above three entities are a most joyous,
historic milestone in the Synod’s history; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS assembled in convention
commend the Black Mission Model Task Force and the
Ethnic Concerns Committee for the respective work and
leadership; and be it further

Resolved, That we thank God for their diligence and
for the historic milestone by a rising vote of thanks.

This proposal was enthusiastically adopted by the
convention.

On another point of privilege the delegates, in
response to a plea from President Zimmermann of the
Indiana District, agreed to reconsider Res. 7-26A (TB
302) by a vote of 427 to 394. Following discussion they
passed a motion to postpone action on this matter
indefinitely.

Information

Rev. Marcus Zill, Stewardship Counselor, presented
to the Synod a gift of $12,700 from Lakeside Lutheran
Church of Venice, Fila., which had been gathered
through the Mission 2 effort for scholarships for
national New Guinea workers.