LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 182

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EEE OG On W’‘ Ww  — LCC CTS

182 SYNODICAL ADMINISTRATION

toon, Saskatchewan. When that report was written, four of
our young men had determined that they preferred to pur-
sue their theological training in the Canadian setting
(finances too are a serious consideration) and had enrolled
at LTS. Two years later that number has grown to 10 (3
Juniors, 2 Middlers, 2 Seniors, 3 Vicars). We are therefore
grateful that the Synod has recognized the importance of
encouraging an indigenous ministry in Canada as in other
fields and has accordingly approved a chair of theology
permitting our Canadian students the option of acquiring
their theological training at LTS (Milwaukee, Res. 6-20). We
are also pleased to learn that the Board for Higher Educa-
tion is now in the process of implementing this important
resolution.
III. Pensions

On Jan. 1, 1965, the Concordia Plans were made available
to the pastors and teachers of LCMS, replacing the old Pen-
sion Plan that had been in effect since 1937. However it
was not until Jan. 1, 1972, that all Canadian regulations and
legal requirements could be met so that the Plans could be
registered and made available to synodical workers in Can-
ada. Regrettably only the Retirement and Survivor Plans
are in effect; the Welfare Plan has not yet been established.

We realize that there are many complexities to the re-
quirements since each of the provinces has its own compul-
sory medicare plan. However in the conviction that Synod’s
plan provides certain benefits not covered in the govern-
ment plans, we are encouraging the Board of Managers to
continue their negotiations in our behalf.

Lutheran Church — Canada is also concerned that Ca-
nadian citizens serving in foreign missions have thus far
not been enrolled in the Canada Pension Plan. We are there-
fore urging Synod’s Board of Missions to consult with the
government of Canada that this inequity can be corrected.

IV. Right to Memorialize

Lutheran Church — Canada takes seriously its role as an
administrative unit of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod in Canada. As we explore all the privileges and re-
sponsibilities this entails, we question the equity of denying
an administrative unit the right to memorialize Synod. Un-
der Synod’s present constitutional provisions, the nearest
avenue open to LC-C for bringing overtures before the
church is through the convention or Board of Directors of
one of the three Canadian Districts. For that reason the
February '73 convention of LC-C adopted a resolution sup-
porting a request that “Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
in convention be memorialized to authorize Lutheran
Church —Canada in convention and/or the LC-C Board of
Directors to present overtures to synodical conventions.”

Conclusion

This report would not be complete without a closing word
of appreciation for the concern, encouragement, and support
that The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, its officers
and officials have given Lutheran Church — Canada during
these 15 years of its existence. We pledge our continued
love and loyalty to the Synod in our common cause for and
under Jesus Christ. We ask only that in return you con-
tinue to remember us before the throne of grace as we join
in joyful service to Him whose might and mercy sustains

us all. Louis N. Scholl, President
George Rode, Secretary

4-08

Report of Commission on Mission
and Ministry in the Church

During the past biennium the commission has again tried
to fulfill its mandate from the Synod in accordance with the
terms of reference stated in Synod's Handbook, 2.111 d.

With some modifications the commission has continued
to follow its established working procedures, namely, to look
upon itself not as an operational board parallel to or in
competition with other operational boards of Synod, but
rather to work together with and utilize those boards and
their channels to create a greater awareness of the nature

of the mission of God in our world today and a deeper com-
mitment to that mission as it is carried out through the
Synod. To this end the commission has engaged in study
programs, and through frequent consultations, fed the re-
sults of its study to the various program agencies of Synod.

I Organizational Matters

A. The officers of the commission during the past bien-
nium were: Chairman, Dr. L. C. Wuerffel; Vice-Chairman,
Rev. Victor G. Albers; Secretary, Prof. Kenneth Schueler;
Consultant: the Board of Directors of Synod has appointed
Dr. Martin L. Kretzmann to serve as full-time consultant
to the commission until Dec. 31, 1973.

B. In addition to the officers the following served on the
commission (with year when term expires): Mr. George
Albers, 1975: Mr. Herbert Arkebauer, 1975; Mr. Carl Brauer
Jr., 1975; Mr. Walter Brunn, 1975: Mrs. Georgia Falwell, 1973;
Dr. William Griffen, 1975: Prof, John Johnson, 1973; Mr.
Donald Kell, 1973: Prof. Reinhold Marxhausen, 1975: Prof.
Gerhardt Meyer. 1975: Mr. Vernon L. Nuss, 1973: Mr. Roland
Rodeck, 1973; Mr. Walter Rugland, 1973: Dr. Roy Suelflow,
1973; Dr. Erich von Fange, 1975: Rev. Theodore Zeile, 1975.
Mrs. Georgia Falwell resigned in 1972 for personal reasons.

The Rev. Orville Oswald was elected to the commission
at the Milwaukee convention but was unable to serve. The
President of Synod appointed Dr. William Griffen in his
place. Dr. Paul Streufert served as the President's repre-
sentative until his retirement. Dr. W. Harry Krieger has
served in that capacity since then.

Through an oversight the place of a teacher on the com-
mission was not filled at the Milwaukee convention. The
President of Synod appointed Dr. Erich von Fange to this
vacancy to serve a 4-year term,

II Assignments
A. Ongoing Assignments
1. Mission Self-Study and Report

When the commission was established at the Detroit
convention in 1965 it was asked to study and implement the
Mission Self-Study and Report which was presented to that
convention and work together with the Mission Survey Di-
rector in further study. We give herewith a brief overview
of what has happened in this seven-year period with respect
to the findings and recommendations of the Report.

It should be noted that Section I of the Report, which
dealt with the Theological Bases of the Church’s Mission,
Was summarized and articulated by the Synod in the Affir-
mations on God's Mission adopted by the Detroit convention.
These have been widely distributed throughout the church
and have been the subject of much study and discussion.
Various study materials on them have been prepared and
distributed.

The following notes deal with Sections II to V of the
Report:

Method of Constituting Boards: The commission is rec-
ommending an overall review of the synodical Constitution.

Women on Boards and Commissions: The Report recom-
mended that not less than two women be placed on the
major boards in the Division of Missions. The Denver and
Milwaukee conventions asked the CMMC to study the role
of women in church and society. A report on this study
is given below with recommendations:

Relation to other Divisions: The Report recommended
that the structure of the Division of Missions make pro-
vision for: (1) the education and sensitizing of its being as
Christ's mission to the world: (2) an ongoing review and
evaluation of all activities of the church's missions; (3) an
ongoing study of the theological validity of expressions of
the church's mission.

These responsibilities have been carried by this commis-
sion.

The Board for Missions has paid special attention to the
following matters and followed through on the recommenda-
tions of the Report: Postgraduate study of overseas person-
nel; Selection and planning for new fields: Relations to
Sister Church Mission Councils; Planning and Evaluation;
Financial Procedures.