LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 36

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36 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

7-08 (TB 154), encouraging subscriptions to the Lutheran
Witness, was adopted. The convention also approved a
resolution encouraging attendance at youth gatherings
after adding: “Resolved, That our Districts and circuits
be encouraged to arrange youth gatherings and programs
at their levels” (Res. 7-09, T'B 154).

Resolution 7-10 (7B 155), calling for intensification
and expansion of education for mission and promotion of
the programs of the Synod, was introduced. An amend-
ment adding the resolved that “all congregational mate-
rials be sent to congregations rather than the pastors”
was not acted on since time for discussion of this resolu-
tion had expired.

Closing

The morning session was closed with the Apostolic
Benediction.

Session 9

July 9, Afternoon

Opening

Dr. Arthur Ahlschwede, Executive Secretary of the
Board for Higher Education, led the opening devotion for
the afternoon session. After reading selected passages
from Eph. 4, he led the delegates in prayer, including a
prayer for the family of Donaldo Schueler, delegate from
Brazil. The family had been involved in a serious auto-
mobile accident.

Orders of the Day

The chairman indicated that the orders of the day
would be followed as presented in the morning session.
Guests

The convention adopted a resolution which allowed

guests to sit alongside the convention floor and asked that
they remain quiet during the discussion of resolutions.

Minutes

The minutes for the afternoon session of July 7 and
the morning session of July 8 were adopted as amended.

LCUSA

Dr. George Harkins, General Secretary of the Lu-
theran Council in the United States of America, was
presented to the convention by the chairman. Dr. Har-
kins stated that he wished to emphasize three things in
his remarks to the delegates. (1) LCUSA is responsive to
the concerns of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Although adjustments have had to be made in the pro-
gram of LCUSA because of the withdrawal of financial
support by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in
some areas, he expressed the respect of the Council for
the views of the Synod which had helped to create the
Council and has helped to shape it. (2) LCUSA is flexible
to change. As new problems arise, the Council has taken
action to meet these problems. Dr. Harkins referred.
especially to the activities of Dr. August Bernthal in
relation to the settlement of refugees from Vietnam as
an example of the Council’s response to changing prob-
lems. (3) LCUSA is dedicated to renewal and service. Dr.
Harkins stated that Lutherans are in a position to help
one another and that he was addressing the convention as
a friend, fellow Lutheran, and partner in service. Presi-
dent Preus responded with thanks for the remarks of Dr.
Harkins.

Standing Rules

The convention amended the standing rules of the
convention by agreeing to limit individuals speaking
from the floor to one minute. When the ruling of the
chair that the motion had passed by the required % vote
was challenged, the delegates declined the request for a
count.

Theology and Church Relations

Dr. August T. Mennicke, chairman of the floor com-
mittee on Theology and Church Relations, reintroduced
Res. 3-05 (TB 47), asking for clarification concerning A
Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles. The
delegates asked to hear from Dr. Arnold Kuntz of the
Advisory Committee on Doctrine and Conciliation. He
stated that his remarks were not to be considered as
official and that a 200-plus-page report would be sent to
the President of the Synod at the end of the month,
reporting on the work of the committee. He pointed out
that the committee had come to recognize clearly that
decisions had to be made but that he also felt that we
have the time to make them. We do have doctrinal
problems. Another problem, however, which faces us is
that participants in the debates are often locked into

-their positions. Partyism and insistence to win is a prior

problem which must be overcome. After the question had
been called, the convention rejected Overture 3-64A as a
substitute and returned to Res. 3-05. After the question.
had been called for, Res. 3-05 was adopted. After making