LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 51

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- beginning with a society of young men which dated

: “pack to 1857. The devotion was closed with prayer and

7 Session 13
ee July 9, Evening

ee Opening Devotions

Opening devotions for the evening session began
with a song Sung by the choir of 41 youth delegates who
were attending the convention. In his devotional mes-

gage Dr. Suelflow reviewed the efforts of the Synod to

out its ministry to youth throughout its history,

the singing of a hymn.

~~ Qheology and Church Relations
- © Ghairman Cloeter of the Floor Committee on Theol-

ogy and Church Relations, who was also celebrating his
birthday on this day, introduced Res. 3-13 (TB 72),
which was adopted by the convention. With this action
the Synod authorized the Commission on Worship to
prepare an updated agenda for presentation to the next
convention for acceptance as an official service book of
the Synod. Next adopted was Res. 3-09 (TB 70) calling
forthe continuation of doctrinal discussions at alllevels
of participation and for the continued study of the
Scriptures and the Book of Concord by individuals so
that they might give a clear and uncompromising
witness to the truth of God. Res. 3-10 (TB 71) was
approved, commending the report of the CTCR, “The
Nature and Implications of the Concept of Fellowship,”
to the members of the Synod for study. Before adopting
this resolution the words “along with its previously
adopted ‘Theology of Fellowship’” were added after the
words “CTCR” in line 25 (TB 71). The resolution was
also amended by adding the following resolveds:
Resolved, That this convention endorse President
Preus’s letter dated June 19, 1981, referring to the 1977
actions of the Synod (TB 200-—201); and be it finally

Resolved, That the convention encourage our new
LCMS President to carry out the sense of that letter by
arranging to initiate the discussion referred to therein
promptly after he assumes office.

By common consent it was agreed that all of the
actions referred to in the 1977 resolution relating to this
matter were to be included. The convention took this
action after declining to add additional resolveds which
called fora poll of congregations with their reaction to
this study and the publication of the results of that poll.
The convention also adopted Res. 3-11 (TB 71) and thus
urged the Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions to complete its study on women’s role in the
church. While this study is being completed all congre-
gations of the Synod are to continue to be guided by
Denver Res. 2-17 as interpreted by the CCM. With the
adoption of Res. 3-12 (TB 72) the CTCR was asked to
carry out a study of the doctrine of justification and all
members of the Synod were requested to uphold and
honor the Synod’s position on the doctrine as articulated
in the brief statement while this study is being com-
pleted. During the discussion the delegates also agreed
to amend the resolution by adding the words “the joint
faculties of the seminaries and the Council of Pres-

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 51

idents” after the word “relations” in line 15 and the
words “within one year” after the word “justification”
in line 16 (TB 72).

Point of Privilege

During discussion of the amendment to Res. 3-12(TB
72), Vice-President George Wollenburg was granted the
privilege of addressing the delegates to express his
thanks to God and to the Synod for having had the
privilege of serving as one of its officers.

Theology and Church Relations

The proposed change in the Bylaws offered in Res.
3-21 (TB 216), which called for a change in the procedure
for appointment for doctrinal reviewers of synodical
publications, was declined by a vote of 384 to 498 after a
delegate had called for a division of the house. Res.
3-14A (TB 215) was, however, adopted, urging congrega-
tions to utilize educational materials which are avail-
able and which warn against cults so that members of
the Synod might not be led astray but be prepared to
make a defense in witness of their sure hope in Jesus
Christ.

Point of Privilege

Responding to a point of privilege, a delegate pro-
posed a resolution relating to election lists which had
been prepared. No action was expected or taken on the
proposed resolution.

Task Force

At its first action on resolutions presented by the
Floor Committee on Task Force in this session the
convention approved Res. 2-09 (TB 49), which called for
the provision of Bylaws for the appointment of standing
committees. By adoption of Res. 9-27 (TB 338) the
membership of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations was established consisting of 17
members. This resolution was adopted after the com-
mittee had changed the words “of 23” to “from 25” in
line 27 (TB 338) and after the delegates had declined to
amend the resolution by adding the words “and Cana-
dian seminaries” in line 50 (TB 338). After also declin-
ing to substitute the word “advice” for the word “ap-
proval” after the word “whose” in line 55 (TB 50), Res.
2-11 (TB 50) was adopted by the convention, defining
the supervision of staff at the synodical headquarters.
After replacing the words “be encouraged to” with the
words “will” in line 37 and the words “be encouraged to”
with “will” in line 52 (TB 51) the convention first
declined to delete the words “and (b) a Circuit or joint
Circuit convocation every three years;”. Res. 2-13 (TB
51) was then adopted as amended by common consent,
thereby defining the procedures to be involved in Circuit
forums and convocations. The convention also provided
for a committee to rewrite adj udication procedures with
the adoption of Res. 2-23 (TB 64). The five-person
committee is to be appointed by the synodical President
and is to include one person each from the Board of
Appeals and from the Commission on Constitutional