LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 48

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48 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

for a continuation of the support of campus ministry
and the maintenance of a commitment to the LCUSA
Campus Ministry and Educational Services, a delegate
introduced a substitute resolution which he asked the
delegates to consider. Because of the length of the
proposed resolution the delegates were offered an oppor-
tunity to have the resolution distributed to provide an
opportunity for its reading before a decision was made
regarding the willingness of the delegates to consider
the substitute resolution. This proposed resolution will
be considered at the discretion of the Floor Committee
on Missions. Res. 1-04A (7B 231) was introduced, en-
couraging the Synod to be involved in a total ministry to
the American Indian people. In introducing the resolu-
tion the words “and support” were added between
“fund” and “the” in line 42 (7B 231). An amendment to
this resolution was introduced from the floor calling for
deletion of the words “our Synod’s participation in the
work of” in line 25 and the word “our” in line 26. It also
asked for the deletion of the last resolved proposed by
the floor committee and for the substitution of a final
resolved which would state “Resolved, That The Luther-
an Church—Missouri Synod’s participation in the
National Indian Lutheran Board and its funding of the
Indian Desk of LCUSA be terminated as of March 1,
1982.” After an amendment calling for the deletion of
the fifth whereas and the last resolved was withdrawn,
the delegates adopted the amendment by a vote of 486 to
433. The resolution was then adopted as amended.

Elections

Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-
tions reported the results of the third balloting for
officers and boards of the Synod. The results of that
ballot are attached to these Minutes. Ballots for the
remaining unfilled positions were then distributed, and
after voting was completed and the ballots had been
gathered, balloting was declared closed.

Convention Rules

During the discussion of Res. 1-04A (TB 231) the
convention agreed by a two-thirds majority vote to
reduce the period of discussion prior to the call for a
decision on ceasing debate. It also agreed to limit
speaking by individual delegates of a period of one
minute rather than two. In addition it extended the
period of time for dealing with Res. 1-04A for 10 minutes.
Because of remarks which were made during the dis-
cussion of Res. 1-04A the Chairman reminded the
delegates that Robert’s Rules of Order under which the
convention is being conducted has some very specific
statement about the manner in which the debate on
issues is to be conducted.

Program Implementation

The Chairman was reminded by a delegate that a
request would be made for the reconsideration of Res.
12-08A. The Chairman responded by stating that the
request would be considered at a point designated by the
Floor Committee on Program Implementation. After
adding the words “and excluding the expenditures to

the extent directed by Res. 6-30, (TB 262), Wednesday”
after the word “authorized” in line 19 (TB 285), Res.
12-11, calling for a clarification of the policy of synodical
spending, was introduced for consideration. This resolu-
tion stated that “each resolution adopted at this or any
previous convention that does or may involve the
expenditure of funds in 1981, 1982, and 1983, excluding
expenditures for capital purposes for which borrowing
may have been specifically authorized and excluding
the expenditures to the extent directed by Res. 6-30,
shall be interpreted and carried out as being mandatory.
only to the extent that there are current revenues,
excluding borrowed funds, available in those years for
those purposes.” This resolution was adopted as it had
been amended by the committee. Based upon legal
advice, the floor committee deleted lines 57-—59 (TB 287)
and then introduced Res. 12-12 (7B 285), establishing
the Treasurer of the Synod as the trust officer of the
Synod, as the prime liaison person between all financial
boards functioning under their appropriate policies,
and accountable to each such board in that capacity. It
also combined the Board of Trustees for Trust Funds
under the Board of Trustees of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod Foundation so that the Foundation
becomes the trust department of the Synod and trans-
ferred the investment responsibilities for the Pension
Plan for Pastors and Teachers from the Board of
Trustees for Trust Funds to the Board of Managers—
Worker Benefit Plans. The resolution also incorporated
the necessary Bylaw changes. This resolution was also
adopted as amended by the floor committee. The floor
committee asked the delegates to include the words “at
least” in line 42 after the word “by” (TB 163) and then
introduced Res. 12-10 (7B 163), which requested indivi-
dual members, congregations, and Districts to take
certain actions and urged synodical officials to main-
tain faithful and efficient application of all funds given
by members of congregations for the mission and
ministry program of the Synod so that a continuance of
deficit spending might be avoided. The resolution was
then adopted.

The convention next considered a request of a dele-
gate for the reconsideration of Res. 12-08A (TB 283).
After brief discussion, however, the convention declined
to take this action. Chairman Bornemann reported that
this completed the work of the Floor Committee on
Program Implementation.

Recognition

Dr. Robert Schnabel, president of Valparaiso Uni-
versity, was introduced to the delegates. In his remarks
he described the programs available at Valparaiso
University, which had been established to help educate
Christians who are preparing for a Christian calling in
lay professions. The purpose of the university is to
complement the synodical system of colleges; in terms
of synodical history, the relationship to the Synod of the
university is that of flesh of flesh and bone of bones.
Dr. Schnabel thanked the Synod forits past support and
asked for its continued assistance and prayers.