LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 42

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42 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

ments” in line 20 (TB 141). An amendment to add the
word “radio” in the resolved was withdrawn.

Since a previous convention had authorized an
annual allocation of $25,000 for the preparation and
publishing of scholarly works, the delegates adopted
Res. 7-11 (TB 141) urging the Board of Directors to
allocate an annual amount of $25,000 to the Commission
on Church Literature for its scholarly research com-
mittee beginning with the 1982—83 fiscal year. The
Commission was also encouraged to seek a grant of
$100,000 to compensate for the lack of funds during the
last four years. By adopting Res. 7-12 (7B 142) the Board
of Parish Education was directed to clarify the methods
and procedures available to a teacher or to a director of
Christian education when the change of position ap-
pears to be needed or appropriate and to communicate
these methods and procedures through District educa-
tion leaders to these professional workers. An amend-
ment stating, “Resolved, That there be no fees for the
use of such methods,” was declined.

Higher Education

Chairman Behnken of the Floor Committee on High-
er Education informed the delegates that discussion
would continue on Res. 6-17A (TB 241) at the point of
discussion of an amendment which would authorize the
Board of Directors to borrow funds to meet the 25
percent level of support of the colleges and seminaries if
sufficient funds were not available. After brief discuss-
ion President Preus asked for the privilege of addressing
the convention. The privilege was granted. Dr. Preus
reviewed the problems which have faced the Synod in
the past in its efforts to fund its programs. He pointed
out that we have problems of distribution and com-
munication. Past methods of seeking to secure the funds
to carry out programs mandated by the Synod have not
been successful. The results of Forward in Remem-
brance indicate a new approach should be taken and
that we should apply what has been learned through
this effort to the ongoing funding for the Synod. He
described a new plan for funding which is proposed and
pointed out that it is time to try a new and better method.
He asked that discussions on the resolutions proposed
by Committee 6, the Floor Committee on Higher Educa-
tion, be delayed and that Committee 12, the Floor
Committee on Program Implementation, be allowed to
forward its proposal for funding at this time. The
convention agreed to a suspension of orders of the day to
allow for this appearance.

Program Implementation

Chairman Bornemann of the Floor Committee on
Program Implementation introduced Res. 12-08A (TB
283), which called for the establishment of a Steward-
ship and Financial Support Department. During the
discussion which followed, an amendment calling for
the deletion of the words “mission education and pro-
motion” in lines 30—31 (TB 283) was declined. By
common consent the words “motivation and” were
added at the beginning of line 30. The delegates declined

to consider a substitute resolution calling for a continu-
ation of the present structure for funding in the Synod.
After further discussion the delegates agreed to cease
debate on the resolution, which was then adopted.

Essay

The Rev. James Uhrinak presented the essay for the
day, beginning his presentation with the hymn prayer
“O God Forsake Me Not.” He pointed out to the delegates
that the discussion would revolve around passages
related to the stewardship of earth and resources and to
the stewardship of money. A general outline of the essay
which followed was that of the Apostles’ Creed.

Nominations

Chairman Eldor Meyer of the Floor Committee on
Nominations made several announcements to the dele-
gates regarding nominations for the election which
would be held later in the day. Because Arthur Bracke-
busch had declined to be elected to the Board for
Professional Education Services, the Nominations Com-
mittee had added the name of William R. Ballowe of
Anesia, Calif. Chairman Meyer also pointed out that in
order to equalize the procedures for elections to Boards
of Regents, one pastoral and one lay position on the
Board of Regents at Portland would remain vacant on
that board for one year.

Greetings

Dr. James Crumley, Bishop of the Lutheran Church
in America, was introduced to the delegates by Dr.
Preus. After bringing greetings from the church body
which is headed by him, he described certain develop-
ments which have been occurring in the Lutheran
Church in America. Its center of membership has
continued to shift to the South and Midwest with
Minnesota now being the largest concentration of mem-
bers of the LCA. He described the excitement which is
developing about the change in relations which is
occurring between the AELC and the LCA. He pointed
out that the future is one in which we need each other
and not one where we can be isolated from each other.
He also spoke of the joy which is experienced in the LCA
at the prospect of closer relations with other Christians. -
He expressed his regrets regarding divisions in the
Lutheran Church although he clearly recognized that
each must work out its own identity. He stated it as his
belief that divisions compromise the witness which we :
can give before the world. In his closing remarks he bid
the delegates well and God speed.

Dr. David Preus, Bishop of the American Lutheran
Church, brought greetings from that church body. He
expressed his congratulations to Dr. Preus at this time
of his retirement from the presidency of the Synod, to
President-elect Bohlmann, and to all of the members of
the LCMS on the success of Forward in Remembrance.
He described all of this as an indication that we stand in
the front line of those who are carrying out God’s
mission in the world. Bishop Preus expressed his dis-
appointment over the action taken by the convention in.

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