LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 55

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 55

the results of their study to the next convention. Since
in many mixed marriages the pastors of both parties to
the marriage are being invited to it and are being
invited to participate in the wedding service, and since
questions have arisen regarding this practice, the
delegates stated the position of the Synod on this
matter by affirming the validity of Article VI of the
Constitution of the LCMS and by stating that pastors
and congregations were expected to follow this article
with respect to mixed wedding ceremonies (Res. 3-25,
TB 68). This action was taken after declining to
substitute the word “encourage” for the word “expect”
and “examine” for the word “follow” in line 36 (TB 68)
and after the word “and” had been added at the end of
line 14 (TB 68). The convention resolved to provide
assistance regarding bioethics (Res. 3-26, TB 68). The
convention declined a motion calling for the addition of
the last three resolves of Overture 3-114A (CW 103) and
then adopted Res. 3-27 (TB 69), reminding elected
officials of the responsibilities of their office and
encouraging them to perform their work with con-
fidence in the power of the Spirit working through the
Word. The convention commended the CTCR for all of
its work and referred the “Revision of A Statement”
and other CTCR documents to the church for prayerful
study and use. It adopted Res. 3-37 (TB 73), thereby
approving amendments to the Constitution of LCUSA
which define a commission and an office and
designated their position in the structure of LCUSA.
The delegates adopted Res. 3-29 (7B 69), urging that a
unified witness be given against anti-Christian
organizations and that congregations study and
discuss Art. XIV of the synodical Handbook together
with materials available from the synodical Commis-
sion on Organizations in seeking to give this unified
witness. They also reminded District officials of their
responsibility to exercise Christian, evangelical super-
vision and discipline in matters relating to these anti-
Christian organizations whenever necessary. Before
introducing Res. 3-30 (TB 70), the floor committee
substituted the words “its Social Concerns Committee”
for “the Social Concerns Committee” in line 38 (TB 70)
and inserted the word “its” between the words “and”
and “SCC” in line 55 (TB 70). The convention then
adopted this resolution, affirming the sacredness of
human life and declaring unequivocally that the
practice known as euthanasia is contrary to God’s
Word and will and cannot be condoned or justified. It
also asked the Commisson on Theology and Church
Relations and its Social Concerns Committee to
complete their study of this matter as soon as possible.
The delegates encouraged congregations, Districts, and
parish worship leaders to promote communication
between one another in church music and worship
practices through workshops, institutes, training
sessions, and other channels of communication (Res. 3-
31, TB 71). In Res. 3-32 (TB 71) the convention
respectfully declined Overtures 3-112A—C (CW 101—
102), which called for the establishment of a Bible
Science Commission. Lay involvement in worship and
other services of the church within the limitations
established by the Scriptures and the Confessions was

encouraged (Res. 3-33, TB 71). Study of the issues
involved and working toward the goal of giving women
equal rights before the law was encouraged, and the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations was
commended for its “Report on Equal Rights Amend-
ment,” which offered guidance to the Synod in this
matter (Res. 3-34, 7B 72). After declining to consider a
substitute motion, the convention commended the
CTCR for its work in preparing a paper which provided
guidelines for making judgments regarding capital
punishment and asked the Synod to receive this paper
for study and response (Res. 3-35, TB 72). Since the
Handbook spelis out the details of doctrinal review and
since the names of doctrinal reviewers are not revealed
in order to assure candidness and objectivity of review,
the convention agreed to decline Overture 3-110 by
adopting Res. 3-36 (TB 72). With the adoption of this
resolution the work of the Floor Committee on Theology
and Church Relations was completed.

Point of Privilege

A delegate was granted a point of privilege to make
the following motion, “That we, as a church body and
as individuals, declare that we do humbly ask for
forgiveness from anyone who may have suffered hurt
or pain as a result of our words or actions, at this
convention or in the past, and that we do earnestly seek
a God-pleasing reconciliation with anyone who is
alienated from us, and in total reliance upon our
heavenly Father, call upon Him to grant it.” This
motion was adopted by the convention.

Constitutional Matters

Chairman Schlecht of the Floor Committee on
Constitutional Matters introduced Res. 5-24 (TB 114),
Res. 5-28 (TB 116), Res. 5-31 (TB 116), Res. 5-32 (TB 117),
Res. 5-33 (TB 117), Res. 5-34 (TB 117), Res. 5-35 (TB 117),
Res.5-36(TB 118), Res.5-37(7B 118), and Res.5-38(TB
118), and asked that they be considered collectively
since they all dealt with the declining of overtures
which had been presented for convention considera-
tion. A motion was made and adopted to consider all
except Res. 5-32 (TB 117) in this manner. They were
then adopted as presented by the floor committee.
Resolution 5-24 (TB 114) declined Overture 5-101 (CW
199) since the functions of the Council of Presidents are
adequately defined in applicable Bylaws pertaining to
the Council of Presidents. Overtures calling for the
requiring of loyalty on the part of officers and
appointees of the Synod were declined since all
synodical officials are expected to respect all
resolutions of the Synod (Res. 5-28, TB 116). An
overture calling for a 4-year limit on the effectiveness of
resolutions adopted by a convention was declined
because it would be impractical and cumbersome when
applied to all resolutions (Res. 5-31, TB 116). Because
the Constitution of the Synod sets the standards for
membership and voting privileges in the Synod,
Overture 5-63 (CW 190), which asked that voting
privileges be given to ALC pastors serving LCMS
congregations, was declined (Res. 5-33, TB 117).
Overtures asking that laymen be made eligible for all