Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 232
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 232

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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232 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

work of the Synod,” and its second function seems to be
limited to assigning candidates for various full-time posi-
tions, as pastors, teachers, lay workers, deaconesses, and de-
termining their qualifications; and

Wuereas, In recent years the concept has arisen among
some of our members that the Council of Presidents is simi-
lar to a Senate or Legislative Body, with powers inherent in
itself to define and set policy within the church: and

Wuereas, Synod functions with a Board of Directors for
continuing operation, and has invested the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations with certain specific duties;
and

Wuereas, The District Presidents by nature of their office
are to carry out the policies and decisions of the Synod it-
self; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention clearly state that
the Council of Presidents is only an advisory body, and does
not possess legislative powers, nor does it have the power
to restrict or veto the actions of the President of the Synod,
or the presidium; and be it further

Resolved, That the District Presidents be reminded that
their function is to carry out the directives of the Synod in
their respective Districts.

Mr. Catvary LUTHERAN CHURCH
Richfield, Minn,

Henry Trebelhorn, President
Erwin Bruesehoff, Secretary

Identical or Similar:
5-73B

St. John's Lutheran Church, Chaska, Minn., Henry Wrase,
Chairman; Robert Berkey, Secretary.

5-73C

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, N. Dak., Earl Mit-
tag, President; Edward J. Rutter, Pastor,

5-73D

Hope Lutheran Church, Chicago, Nl, Herbert T, Wians,
Pastor; T. Murphy, Secretary.

5-744

To Call upon District Presidents
to Support Synodical President

Wuereas, The President of the Synod is elected by repre-
sentatives of the entire Synod and is responsible to the en-
tire Synod; and

Whereas, The Constitution of the Synod in Article XI
confers broad power and great responsibilities upon its
President, charging him with the duty of “promoting and
~-aintaining unity of doctrine and practice in all the Dis-
tricts of the Synod” (Constitution XI, B,3); and

Wuereas, The Districts of the Synod are the Synod rather
than the Synod being a federation of Districts; and

Wuereas, The District Presidents are historically the arms
of the synodical President and responsible to him (Hand-
book 3.41); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the advisory function
of the Council of Presidents (Handbook 3.41); and be it
urther

Resolved, That the Synod call upon the Presidents of the
synodical Districts to support the synodical President in his
supervision of all of the Synod.

MemoriaL LUTHERAN CuHurcH
Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

Donald Jerke, Chairman
Larry Claus, Secreta ry

C. F. Paul, Pastor

Identical:

5-74B

Peace Ev. Lutheran Congregation, Alcester, S. Dak., Wal-
ter A. Bunkowske, Pastor: Vergene Heiman, Secretary.

5-74C
Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., Jerry Gan,
Chairman; P. D. Brack, Pastor.

5-74D
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Stratford, Ontario, Robert
Shore, Chairman; Barry Siegner, Secretary.

5-74E
Christ Lutheran Church, St. Catharines, Ontario, K. Koch,
Secretary; E. Albrecht, Chairman.

5-74F

Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Stoney Creek, Ontario,
William Miehe, President,

5-75

To Censure All District Presidents
Who Do Not Manifest Loyalty
to Synodical Constitution

Wuereas, The Handbook states, "The District Presidents,
in accordance with the Constitution of the Synod, shall su-

Wuereas, Some District Presidents have invited profes-
sors, who are not fully committed to the historical Scrip-
tural position of the Synod and have been found to be guilty
of false doctrine, to address pastors and congregations within
the Synod and have condoned the views of the erring pro-
fessors: and

Wuereas, Some District Presidents, to the righteous in-
dignation of many laymen and pastors in their Districts, have
not voiced their objection to the false doctrine being taught
and promulgated at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.; and

Wuereas, The Council of Presidents recently requested
that Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations
reconsider a decision to formally evaluate the Concordia,
St. Louis, faculty's recent affirmation (Faithful To Our Call-
ing — Faithful To Our Lord) and thus the Council of Presi-
dents is usurping a role which is out of its jurisdiction;
therefore be it

Resolved, That those District Presidents who have con-
doned false teachings at the St.Louis seminary and within
their Districts be censured for their failure to uphold their
duty as District Presidents: and be it further

Resolved, That each District President fulfill the respon-
sibilities in his own District as the representative of the
President of the Synod and deal with erring pastors of his
District; and be it finally

Resolved, That any District President unwilling to per-
form his duties pertaining to the supervision of doctrine be
asked to resign as District President or be suspended by
the President of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.

St. Paut Lurueran Cuurcy
Sanford, Mich.

Earnest Sutton, President
Lynn Robinette, Secretary

5-76A

To Censure Council of Presidents
WuerEas, The District Presidents
outside of their own District; and

Wuereas, The Council of Presidents has no jurisdiction
beyond the duties outlined in the synodical Handbook; and

have no jurisdiction