LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 50

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

50 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

amendment which would have added a resolved stating
“Resolved, That our seminaries both at Fort Wayne and
St. Louis, be urged to make one quarter of clinical
pastoral education mandatory to all candidates to the
holy ministry; and be it finally Resolved, That all
pastors of our Synod be urged to take a quarter of
clinical pastoral education.” After adding the words “‘be
encouraged to” by common consent after the word
“congregation” in line 50 (7B 150), the delegates adopt-
ed Res. 8-12 (7B 150), which encouraged congregations
to avail themselves of the services of existing public and
private agencies to alleviate the social conditions of
poverty. The boards of social ministry of the Synod and
Districts were asked to prepare materials and conduct
workshops to assist pastors in congregational social
ministry committees in locating resources which would
help the poor in obtaining assistance. Following the
adoption of this resolution Dr. Leslie Weber, executive
secretary of the Board for Social Ministry and World
Relief, informed the delegates that a container had been
placed at the door for an offering to “skip a meal and
save a life.” As its final resolution the Floor Committee
on Social Ministry introduced Res. 8-13 (7B 151), which
encouraged increased support for Social Ministry, a
support which is especially needed as the support for
social programs by the government is reduced. The
committee was then dismissed with thanks.

Higher Education

Chairman Lloyd Behnken of the Floor Committee on
Higher Education presented Res. 6-04A to the delegates
once again. Discussion of the resolution, which would
grant four-year status with baccalaureate degree grant-
ing privileges to St. John’s College, Winfield, Kans., had
been begun in a previous session. After further dis-
cussion the resolution was adopted as presented and
this status was granted to St. John’s College.

Orders of the Day

A resolution to extend the evening session until all
business of the convention is completed was declined by
the delegates.

Elections

Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-
tions announced the results of the latest balloting for
officers and members of the boards of the Synod. The
results are attached to these Minutes. After distributing
another ballot and after voting was completed, ballot-
ing was again declared closed.

Constitutional Matters

Chairman Paul Spitz of the Floor Committee on
Administration introduced a resolution (Res. 5-20, TB
188) which would remove those holding dual member-
ship from the roster of the Synod after Dec. 31, 1981.
Extensions could be granted by the President of the
District with the approval of the President of the Synod.
In response to a question from the floor it was stated
that about 50 pastors, 3 congregations, and 8 teachers

would be affected by this resolution. After declining an
amendment which would have limited the possible
period of extension to six months, the delegates adopted
the resolution as presented by the floor committee. In
the introduction of Res. 5-08 (TB 103), which would
classify “ministers” for the purposes of federal law, the
floor committee called on attorney Phil Draheim to
explain what was really involved in voting on this
resolution. The major point was that for the purpose of
federal law churches must deal with categories of
“ministers” as defined by the churches. In order. to
provide more time for a study of this resolution and for
the church to determine how it would define “ministers”
a resolution was adopted which stated “so that the
Synod can continue under the status quo in this matter
until the CTCR’s study of ministry is released to the
church and the Synod can make an informed judgment
in this matter, Resolved, That these resolutions be
referred to the Board of Directors for study and report at
the next convention of the Synod.” The delegates
adopted this resolution, thus providing additional time
for the study of the matter.

Point of Order

An objection was raised to parliamentary action
which was followed in the convention. A delegate
expressed his opinion that speakers were not being
called in turn and that some delegates were relinquish-
ing their positions to other delegates so that they might
call for the question to terminate debate. The Chair
pointed out that the delegates could express their will by
declining to adopt such motions which were made. After .:
the words “lay ministers” was inserted after the word #
“as” in line 32, the words “‘or be colloquized” wereadded ¥
at the end of line 34, and the words “called or otherwise
contracted” were substituted for the words “contracted
or called” in line 36 the delegates adopted Res. 5-09 (TB
104), recognizing special ministries within the church.

Elections

Floor committee chairman Simon in making his
final report to the delegates thanked Marie Biesenthal,
Arlo Otto, and the pages for their assistance in carrying
out the election efficiently. Since S. T. Williams had
failed to be elected to the Board for Youth Services b
only a few votes and since a number of ballots had been
declared invalid because of improper voting, the dele-
gates agreed by convention action to validate his
election to the board.

Orders of the Day

The orders of the day were announced for the
evening session. A resolution calling for an alteration in
the orders of the day to begin the evening session at 7:30:
p.m. was declined.

Closing Devotions

Closing devotions were conducted by Roger Leenerts,
executive secretary of the Board for North American ;
Missions.