LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 36

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36 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Board for Youth Ministry who in turn introduced the
executive officers of Lutheran Youth Fellowship. In
1979 the first LYF group became affiliated and now
consists of over 3,200 affiliated groups. After the conven-
tion had been addressed by each of the members of the
executive staff, Dr. Preus was made an honorary Luther-
an youth.

Elections

Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-
tions distributed ballots for the election of the remaining
Vice-Presidential positions. After the delegates had
voted and ballots had been gathered, the balloting was
declared closed.

Point of Order

A delegate asked for a reconsideration of Res. 2-25,
indicating that he had given notice that he would be
requesting this reconsideration. He was informed that
the motion for reconsideration could be made at a later
time.

Point of Privilege

Upon being granted a point of privilege, a delegate
introduced a resolution relating to the acceptance of
guidelines which are to govern the Synod since fellow-
ship between The American Lutheran Church and The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been rescinded.
The Chairman pointed out that it would be appropriate
to offer this resolution at the time when Committee 3
appears once again before the convention.

Parish Services

The convention resolved to do more to meet the needs
of persons who are mentally retarded (TB 137, Res. 7-
01), to support Lutheran Youth Fellowship and other
parish youth ministries (TB 138, Res. 7-04), to support
and expand the 1983 youth gathering (TB 139, Res. 7-05)
and to involve youth more in decision-making processes
(TB 1339, Res. 7-06). After adding to the final resolved the
words, “which present the Law and the Gospel to meet
specific needs in areas such as abortion, the draft, drug
and alcohol abuse, and premarital sex,” the convention
adopted Res. 7-07 (TB 139), which reaffirmed youth
ministry as the emphasis for the 1983 convention. After
striking the words “either Luther’s Small Catechism in
contemporary English or” the convention resolved to
use only the 1943 edition of Luther’s Small Catechism
(TB 138, Res. 7-03).

Devotions

Dr. Victor Constien, secretary of the Board of Parish
Education, led the closing devotions.

Session 7
July 7, Afternoon
Opening Devotion

Dr. August Suelflow continued his series of opening
devotions by asking the delegates to join in the singing

of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Choosing asection @
from the Epistle to the Hebrews, he cited three important :
passages: (1) “Remember your leaders whospoketoyou 4
the Word of life.” (2) “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, 4
today, and forever.” (3) “Do not be carried about by
various and strange doctrines.’ He then characterized
each of the Presidents of the Synod, describing the way
in which they had used their various talents in the
leadership of the Synod. The devotion was closed with
prayer and with the singing of stanza 3 of the hymn
“Now Thank We All Our God.”

Elections

Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-.
tions reported on the elections for the remaining Vice-:
Presidential positions of the Synod. He reported that.
1,030 votes had been cast with 516 needed for electio
The results of the vote were as follows: Mueller—50
Maier—503, Merkens—629, Lavalais—642, Hyatt—57
Zimmerman—239, Wollenburg—317, Bernthal—27
Scharlemann—83, Hoffmann—210, Sohns—33, Wes
cott—91. As a result of the balloting, Dr. Josep
Lavalais, Dr. Guido Merkens, and Dr. Gerhardt Hya
were declared to be the Second, Third, and Fourth Vic
Presidents of the Synod, respectively. Chairman Simo
then announced that a runoff election would be held’
between Walter A. Maier, Jr., and Charles Mueller for§
the position of Fifth Vice-President of the Synod. Afterg
the ballots had been distributed, voting had taken place¥
and the ballots gathered once again, the election wa
declared closed.

Minutes

The Minutes for Sessions 3 and 4 were adopted by thi
delegates after several corrections were made by th
Convention Secretary. On line 68 (7B 264) the num
1,100 was changed to 1,110. In lines 32—34 (TB 264) th
words “and one request which had been legitimate!
made was withdrawn by means of a written notice
were added after the word “time.” In line 6 (TB 266) th]
words “next began consideration of the entire” w
replaced with the words “then adopted.”

Constitutional Matters

Chairman Spitz of the Floor Committee on Cons!
tional Matters introduced Res. 5-21 (TB 259), w
called for the acceptance of Good Shepherd Luthel
Church, Erie, Kans., Kansas District, into the Syn
This resolution was adopted. The delegates also adop,
Res. 5-02A (7B 259), thereby referring the membersy
application of Messiah Lutheran Church, Pittsht
Kans., back to the District for presentation
Kansas District Commission on Adjudication for?
and recommendations. The convention adopted Re:
07 (TB 102), providing guidelines for new corporal
related to the Synod and affirmed the right of the 0
District to incorporate its Church Extension
through the adoption of Res. 5-06A (TB 187).

Amotion calling for the reintroduction of the co
ation of the membership of Beautiful Savior Luth@