LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 32

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32 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Special Resolution

The delegates adopted a special resolution proposed
from the floor that “we publicly thank Dr. Herbert
Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, for his humor, patience,
wit, knowledge, and plain old-fashioned hard work,
without which the convention would surely have been
far less productive.”

Greetings and Report

_ Dr. John Houck, general secretary of the Lutheran
Council in the U.S.A., was introduced to the delegates.
In his report he indicated the various areas in which the
Lutheran bodies had cooperated in carrying out min-
istries which were of interest and concern to all mem-
bers. In his report he referred to concerns about the new
legalism which is afoot in our land and the necessity for
a heightened Lutheran response to this challenge of the
20th century. His report concluded by suggesting that
as Lutherans we have a theological background that
enables us to contribute significantly to the multi-
faceted, interfaith task. “The task,” he said, “requires
all of us—even all of us Lutherans.”

Minutes

The Minutes for Sesssions 1 and 2 of the convention
(TB 219—222, 247—249) were presented to the delegates
for adoption. Prior to adoption it was pointed out thatin
line 45 (TB 247) the words “by District meetings in 1983
and” should be stricken and in line 26 (7B 249) the
word “Res. 2-06” should have been “Res. 2-05.’ The
Minutes were then adopted as amended.

Elections

The Floor Committee on Elections reported on the
results of the third ballot for First Vice-President of the
Synod. It was reported that 1,007 votes had been cast
with 504 needed to elect. The results of the balloting
were as follows: Maier—33, Mueller—426, Sauer—548.
Dr. Robert Sauer was thus declared elected as First
Vice-President of the Synod. Following the announce-
ment, he addressed the delegates briefly, thanking them
for their confidence and assuring them of his continued
efforts to serve the Synod to the best of his ability.

The Floor Committee on Elections then announced
that a write-in ballot was being prepared for the remain-
ing Vice-Presidential positions and would be distributed
shortly.

Task Force

Beginning its presentation at this session the Floor
Committee on Task Force introduced Res. 2-04A. This
resolution had been prepared as a result of a request of
the convention. A specially printed report was distrib-
uted to the delegates. During the distribution a motion
for referral of Res. 2-05 (TB 47) was entertained. On a
point of order the Chair ruled that the action presenting
the proposal for referral was legitimate and would be
dealt with following the hearing of Res. 2-04A. The
Chair was sustained in ruling that Res. 2-04A should be

heard before ruling on the legitimacy of the motion for
referral of Res. 2-05.

An amendment was introduced asking that the
Board of Stewardship be retained as a separate board.
The amendment, however, was declined as was a
motion asking for the extension of time for Committee 2 4
to complete action on Res. 2-04A. BS

Higher Education

Chairman Lloyd Behnken of the Floor Committee on
Higher Education began the work of the committee,
pointing to the tremendous blessings which God has
given to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
through its system of colleges and seminaries. Res. 6-
10A (TB 239) was then introduced calling for the
establishment of terms of office of college and seminary
presidents. The establishment of such terms would have
required a change in the Bylaws of the Handbook of the
Synod. The delegates, however, declined the proposal,
retaining the practice of an unlimited term of office for
these executives. Res. 6-11 (7B 118) was next considered,
calling for the extension of the term of service for college
and seminary presidents to a maximum age of 70.
Before introducing the resolution the committee had
changed the words in line 56 which stated “any time
after the end of the school year” to “the end of any term
of office after.” During the discussion it became ap-
parent that this change was no longer appropriate since
Res. 6-10A (7B 239) had not been adopted. Action on this
resolution was delayed until a legal opinion could be
secured. After considering several other resolutions, a
legal opinion was secured, recommending the retention
of the original wording. Res. 6-11 (TB 118) was then
adopted as originally printed.

In order to permit some latitude for granting tenure
to faculty members who had not completed five full
years of creditable service as a member of the faculty of
one or more of the educational institutions of the Synod
the delegates adopted Res. 6-12 (TB 119), calling for a
change in Bylaw 6.54 a, 1 of the Handbook of the Synod.
They also revised Handbook regulations relating to the
provisions for retirement of faculty members in order to
bring them into conformity with federal law. (Res. 6-
13A, TB 240).

PP ree Ae ee

Elections

Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec
tions explained the procedures of balloting for the ;
remaining vice-presidential positions. Following th
explanation, forms for balloting were distributed, and
after delegates had made their written nominations, th
forms were gathered and nominations for the remaining
vice-presidential positions were declared closed.

Presentation

Dr. Ralph Reinke, president of Concordia Publishing
House, addressed the delegates, describing what had
occurred since a directive of the 1962 convention of the
Synod instructed Concordia Publishing House to assem™-
ble the writings of its first President, C. F. W. Walther: