LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 33

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 33

Since that time and since the work had been taken up by
the Commission on Church Literature, six volumes of
the selected writings of Dr. Walther had been completed.
Especially bound volumes of these writings were pre-
sented to Dr. Preus as symbolic of the work which had
been done in carrying out the assignment of the Synod.
They were presented by Dr. Martin Scharlemann; Dr.
John Drickamer; and Dr. August Suelflow, as senior
editor and brother of one of the translators. Dr. Preus
responded with thanks for the volumes and for the work
which had been completed.

Introduction

Dr. Milton Carpenter, former Treasurer of the Synod,
and Dr. George Wittmer, a former Vice-President of the
Synod, were introduced to the delegates.

Theology and Church Relations

Chairman Cloeter of the Floor Committee on Theol-
ogy and Church Relations introduced Res. 3-02 (TB 67),
calling for the implementation of pro-life programs.
Before discussion was begun, Dr. Jean Garton, pres-
ident of Lutherans for Life and author of “Who Broke
the Baby?” addressed the convention. She spoke of the
effect of the courageous witness of The Lutheran
Church, which has been very strong in the pro-life area,
and asked the delegates to adopt the resolution support-
ing efforts to go Forward in Remembrance of life which
has been created by God. An amendment calling for the
addition of the words “and to support a pro-life amend-
ment to the United States Constitution” to the last
resolved was approved. The resolution was then adopted
as amended. By taking this action the convention called
for support for a pro-life stance in both the United States
and Canada, encouraged the Board for Youth Ministry,
the Board of Parish Education, and the Board for Social
Ministry and World Relief to prepare materials for all
ages in the church which will present the Synod’s
opposition on the basis of the Scriptures to willful
abortion, and encouraged its auxiliary organizations to
lend support and witness to the efforts of the church in
the area of pro-life concern. “The Lutheran Hour” was
also encouraged to devote one of its programs annually
to the support of this cause and “This Is the Life” was
encouraged to make this issue one of its programs. The
congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod were urged to form new chapters of Lutherans for
Life and pastors were asked to give a clear witness and
wholehearted support to the position of the Synod on the
pro-life question.

At this point the delegates were asked to reconsider
Res. 3-01 (7B 65), which had been adopted in a previous
session. After listening to a number of opinions and
hearing from President-elect Bohlmann, who spoke in
opposition to reconsideration, the delegates declined to
reopen discussion of Res. 3-01. The Chairman then
stated that this matter could not be brought up again in
the remaining sessions of the convention. Discussion
was begun on Res. 3-03 (7B 215) calling for the pre-
paration of guidelines for inter-Christian relationships.

The delegates declined to consider a substitute motion
which asked the CTCR to prepare guidelines on union-
ism and sectarianism to assist the officials, pastors,
teachers, congregations, and individuals of the Synod
to live together under the rule and norm of Holy
Scripture. They also declined an amendment which
would have removed the last resolved from the resolu-
tion. The resolution was then adopted as presented
asking the CTCR to prepare guidelines for inter-Chris-
tian relationships, for all the members of the Synod to
study these guidelines in the light of Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions, and to report their findings to
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
While these are being prepared all members of the
Synod were asked to abide by the decisions which the
Synod has made in view of Article VI of the Constitution
of the Synod. By adopting Res. 3-04 (TB 68) the conven-
tion declined to divide altar and pulpit fellowship since
these two were considered to be inseparable. With the
adoption of Res. 3-05 (7B 69) a decision was made to
continue membership in the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A. Synodical representatives on the Council were
asked to continue to provide Scriptural and confessional
witness to the doctrinal and ethical issues confronting
Lutheranism in America and the Board of Directors is
to continue to evaluate the cost of the Synod’s member-
ship in the Council in relation to the benefits received
and avenues for service provided.

Res. 3-06 (7B 69) assuring The American Lutheran
Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the
Association of Ev. Lutheran Churches of the desire of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to seek agree-
ment in Biblical and confessional doctrine and practice
whether or not these church bodies continue to exist as
individual denominations or in a new organizational
structure was introduced. An extended amendment was
introduced from the floor to be added to the resolution at
line 56 (TB 69). Time expired before discussion could be
completed on this resolution.

Closing Devotion

Closing devotions for the afternoon session were led
by Dr. Walter Rosin, executive secretary of the Board for
Higher Education.

Session 6
July 7, Morning
Opening Devotion

Dr. August Suelflow again led the delegates in the
opening devotion asking them to join him in the singing
of the hymn “‘Let the Children Hear the Mighty Deeds.”’
In addressing the delegates he spoke of the importance
of elementary education in the establishment of congre-
gations from the time the Synod was founded. He
described the branch system of education in effect in
Chicago which resulted in the establishment of many
daughter and granddaughter congregations.

Acceptance Statement

President-elect Ralph Bohlmann and his wife were