LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 22

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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22 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

these rules as presented and as attached to the official
copy of the Minutes.

President’s Report

President Preus began his report by pointing out
that the first section of his report had been presented to
the floor committees at an earlier meeting and was
printed in the first issue of Today’s Business. He then
directed the attention of the delegates to the second
portion of his report which appears in Today’s Business,
pages 189—199. Dr. Preus indicated that he would not
read the entire report but would highlight certain
aspects of it which he felt were especially important.

Since this is the last convention of the Synod at
which Dr. Preus will serve as President, he reviewed
many of the things which had occurred during the past
12 years. Special mention was made of the adoption of
the Mission Affirmations in 1965, which have become
especially influential in the formation of partner
churches. By this action, a new direction was taken,
which is now being followed by many other churches.
Progress in Black and Hispanic ministry was also cited
as a major achievement of the past years. In addition to
these important developments, new mission fields have
been opened. The church has made tremendous progress
in the areas of youth ministry and evangelism.

In the area of stewardship, special attention was
given. to the outstanding results of the Forward in
Remembrance effort in which over 80 percent of the
congregations of the Synod participated. Reference was
also made to the doctrinal conflict of the first six years

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of 1970 and to the fact that the Synod has continued to
remain doctrinally strong.

Continuing his report, Dr. Preus thanked all of those
who had been involved in the work of the Synod during
these years, including the Vice-Presidents, District
Presidents, executives, boards, commissions, and many
other leaders. He also expressed his thanks publicly to
his wife, Delpha, for the faithful support which had
been given him during his 12 years of service as
President of the Synod. Mrs. Preus was thanked by the
delegates with a standing ovation.

In his report, Dr. Preus referred to a number of
concerns which will come before the Synod, comment-
ing particularly on the election of a new President, the
decision regarding the continuance or breaking of
fellowship with The American Lutheran Church, and
the resolutions relating to the restructuring of the
Synod.

In closing, Dr. Preus again thanked all those who
had been so kind to him during the past years, asking
forgiveness of any who had been hurt, and wishing the
Synod God’s richest blessings as it moves into what,
under Him and with His blessings, can be the most
marvelous era that our beloved church body has ever
known. He concluded by saying “May God bless us all
as we begin this convention and go forward in His work
and in remembrance of His blessings.”

Resolution A

Secretary Herbert Mueller presented Res. A (TB 168),
directing petitioners in certain overtures to take their