LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 5

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Jesus Christus Dominus Est

Prior to the convention the hope had been expressed
that the resolutions of the convention would be firm,
loving, and confessional.

There has been a mixed reaction to the resolutions
adopted in Anaheim. Some feel that the resolutions were
altogether too firm, others that they were not firm
enough. Perhaps such a mixed reaction indicates that the
objective has been achieved at least to some extent.

Those who were closely associated with the conven-
tion would undoubtedly concede that procedurally it was
much better than several previous conventions. Contrib-
uting to this improvement were the following: the meet-
ing of the floor committees in advance to draft tentative
resolutions and to share them with the delegates prior to
their departure for Anaheim, the small-group program
for Bible study, for discussion of issues, and for getting
better acquainted; and perhaps last but not least the
standing rules which the convention adopted.

Among these we might mention especially the 2-
minute rule for speakers; the automatic decision on the
part of the assembly after every 30 minutes of debate
whether the convention now wished to terminate debate;
the prioritization of resolutions by number and their
consideration usually in that order; the so-called “Behn-
ken rule” for the handling of substitute motions.

According to the special standing rules adopted by the
convention no omnibus resolution of mass referrals was
possible, but resolutions which were not acted upon
before adjournment died, with the understanding that
the subject matter would need to be reintroduced at the
next convention by means of an overture.

Also helpful was the introduction of two resolutions
aimed at expediting the business of the convention. Floor
committees were permitted to recommend in Resolution
A that those who had submitted certain overtures be
directed to bring their proposals to a specific office, board,
commission, or department of the Synod before present-
ing the matter to the convention. In Resolution B floor
committees were able to list those overtures in which
petitioners were referred to the actions of a previous
convention for an answer to their concern.

The number of points of order raised were fewer
than in recent conventions.

Questions of privilege seemed to become somewhat of
a problem. It is not easy to distinguish between a ques-
tion of privilege and a privileged motion. Questions of
information also seemed to be quite time consuming.
Both types of questions seemed to be used at times in
order to leapfrog into an advantageous position in the
process of debate.

But most observers would undoubtedly agree that the
Anaheim convention was procedurally an improvement
over those of the immediate past.

We are again listing for ready reference some of the
more important resolutions that came before the conven-
tion:

Res. 1-03 Renewal Retreats

Res. 2-01A Mission

Res. 2-02A Mission Study Commission

Res. 2-06, 2-07A Campus Ministry

Res. 3-01 Theological Discussions Toward Unity
Res. 3-03A Former Faculty

Res. 3-04 Doctrinal Statements

Res. 3-05 A Statement

Res. 3-06 ELIM

Res. 3-12 LCUSA

Res. 4-02A English District

Res. 5-01A Task Force on Organization

Res. 5-02A District Presidents

Res. 5-06 Congregations with Unendorsed Pastors
Res. 5-07 Status of Seminex Instructors
Res. 5-08 Removal of District Presidents
Res. 5-09 CCM _ Opinions

Res. 5-10 New Orleans Resolutions

Res. 6-02 Status of Seminex

Res. 6-04 Colloquies and Exceptions

Res. 6-05 Status of Seminex Graduates

Res. 6-07A Synodical Educational System
Res. 6-08A Adjustments in Educational System
Res. 6-11A Lay Ministry

Res. 7-06 TV Ministry

Res. 8-03, 4-15 World Hunger

Res. 9-12 Lawsuits

Res. 12-01 Eligibility of Delegates

Res. 14-01 Preconvention Procedure

Since the device seems to have been helpful, we have
again added to some resolutions additional information
in small print from the notebooks of both secretaries.

The numbers in parentheses below each resolution
indicate the session in which action was taken. It is
suggested that in many instances the minutes of that
session may well be consulted for further information.

CW is the symbol for Convention Workbook, the 500-
page book of reports and overtures submitted to the
convention. TB refers to Today’s Business, the daily
manual bringing the text of the proposed resolutions
drafted by the floor committees. This time, because the
floor committees met several weeks prior to the conven-
tion, the first issue of Today's Business, published in
two sections, contained practically all of the proposed
resolutions.

For the sake of the record perhaps the following items
should also be noted:

__ All sessions were held in the Anaheim Convention
Center in Anaheim, California.

_-The theme of the convention was “Jesus Christ Is
Lord.”

__On Saturday afternoon delegates were invited ei-
ther to participate in evangelism activities in the
neighboring parishes or to attend evangelism
workshops at the convention center.

—-On Sunday morning an evangelism service was
held with the Rev. Paul J. Foust as the preacher.

_ On Sunday evening a gala Celebration was held in
the Arena with a “standing room only” audience in
attendance. Featured were special ministries con-
ducted in Southern California.

__A Recognition Night was held on Monday evening
to give recognition to those who were serving in