LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 38

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38 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

a vote of 362 in favor of reconsideration as opposed to
497 against reconsideration. The Chairman pointed out
that this resolution can no longer be brought before the
assembly except by unanimous consent.

The convention next began consideration of Res. 2-
12 (TB 51) which would provide for District representa-
tion in the nominating process. This resolution called
for members of the Nominating Committee to be elected
by the Districts with one-half of the Districts electing a
professional church worker and one-half electing a
layman with the roles reversed every three years. The
Chairman declined to entertain a substitute motion
since the same result would be effected if Res. 2-12 was
defeated. After 30 minutes of debate, the convention
agreed to vote on the resolution. A division of the house
showed that 565 favored the resolution while 392
opposed it. The resolution was therefore adopted.

Higher Education

Chairman Lloyd Behnken of the Floor Committee on
Higher Education reintroduced Res. 6-14 (TB 120), on
which discussion had been begun in a previous session.
This resolution dealt with the establishment of place-
ment procedures for teacher candidates in conformity
with the document approved by the Board of Assign-
ments. After a short period of discussion the delegates
agreed to cease debate and adopted the resolution as
presented.

Arthur Brackbusch, chairman of the Board for High-
er Education, introduced an audiovisual presentation
which had been prepared, describing the history and
needs of the higher education of the Synod. Following
this presentation the delegates adopted Res. 6-01 (TB
111), thanking and praising God for the blessings which
had been bestowed on synodical higher education. This
resolution was adopted after the delegates had agreed to
add the words “Board for Higher Education” in line 24
(TB 111). Discussion was begun on Res, 6-17A (TB 241),
which called upon the Synod to prevent a decrease in the
present percentage of its college support. During the
discussion an amendment was introduced to the effect
that “the Board of Directors be authorized and directed
to borrow dollars to maintain the 25 percent level of
support when congregational gifts to Synod are insuffi-
cient.”Time expired before action on the resolution
could be completed.

Closing Devotions
Dr. Robert Sauer, newly elected First Vice-President

of the Synod, was called upon to lead the delegates in
devotion for the afternoon session.

Session 8
July 7, Evening
Opening Devotion
Opening devotions for the evening session were
conducted by Dr. August Suelflow, who in his devotion
described the beginnings of social ministry within The

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, a ministry in which
it has been involved since the time of its founding.

Social Ministry

Before offering its resolutions for consideration by
the convention, Mr. Eugene Crawford, an American :
Indian, presented President Preus with a peace pipe.
The Rev. Bryant Clancy, a member of the Floor Com- 4
mittee on Social Ministry, who had become il] during
the convention, thanked the delegates for their prayers
during his recovery.

Chairman Barth of the Floor Committee on Social
Ministry introduced Res. 8-02 (TB 145), which encour-
aged congregations and their members to discuss the
subject of hunger and human needs and to generously
support the World Relief/World Hunger Programs of
the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief. This
resolution was adopted as presented. By adopting Res.
8-03 (TB 146) the staff of the Board of Social Ministry
and World Relief was directed to consult with the Board
of Directors of the Synod to seek funds to convene a
national conference of top LCMS policymakers to study
the topic “The Church in Service to Society.” The
conference is also to review the Social Ministry affirma-
tions and to make appropriate recommendations
through the Board of Social] Ministry and World Relief
to the Synod. By approving Res. 8-04 (TB 146) the
convention asked the Board of Directors of the Synod to
continue to search for funding for a staff person to
provide ongoing leadership, training, and guidance in
relation to the health of professional church workers
and their families. The resolution was adopted as
presented after the delegates had declined a motion
which asked that the Concordia Health Plans consider
the funding of such a person.

After introducing the resolution encouraging the
donation of kidneys and other organs at the time of
death in order to relieve the suffering of individuals
requiring organ transplants (Res. 8-05, TB 147), Dr.
Leslie Weber, executive secretary of the Board of Social
Ministry and World Relief, introduced Mr. Albert Beck-
ler of Grand Island, Nebr. Mr. Beckler gave his personal
testimony to the value of such transplants whichhehad 3
experienced as a result of the effects of diabetes. He 4a
required the transplanting of a kidney. The kidney -
which was donated by his brother has been functioning :
well since April 1974. After losing his eyesight it was
recognized that a pancreas transplant was needed. The
original transplant, a portion of the pancreas of his
sister, was not successful. Since that time he has
received a pancreas from a child who had died, and heis
one of the very few people with whom this kind of
operation has been successful. After some discussion
and after hearing further testimony from members of
the convention with regard to the value of transplants,
the resolution was adopted as presented.

Nominations

Chairman Eldor Meyer of the Floor Committee on
Nominations described the work which was involved in
the preparation of a slate of candidates for the various -
offices and boards. He expressed his thanks to th :
committee for the work which had been done and »