LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 44

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44 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

a decision on Res. 6-08A (7B 248) when this matter once
again came before the house.

Recognition

Dr. Herbert Mueller, Secretary of the Synod, pre-
sented Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rauscher to the delegates. Mr.
Rauscher, Controller of the Synod, has served the Synod
since September 2, 1952, and has announced his inten-
tion to retire to the Board of Directors of the Synod. The
convention joined Dr. Mueller in wishing God’s blessings
to Mr. and Mrs. Rauscher in their retirement.

Closing

The convention session closed with the devotion led by
Dr. Arnold Kuntz, President of the Southern California
District.

Session 14

July 11, Morning

Opening

After President Preus had declared this session open
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the
delegates were led in a devotion by the Rev. Wilbert
Griesse, President of the Mid-South District. In his re-
marks he stressed that Jesus Christ is not only Lord but
Savior.

Point of Privilege

Speaking on a point of privilege, a delegate addressed
the convention, asking that the members proceed with
the business of the convention in an orderly and evangel-
ical way.

Convention Format Review

Dr. Herman Scherer, speaking for the Convention
Format Review Committee, introduced Res. 14-01 (TB
310), which called for a change in the Bylaws of the
Synod relating to the preconvention procedure and calen-
dar. After several attempts to correct the proposed word-
ing in lines 60—64 of page 310 (Bylaw 1.27 f), the
following wording was approved by common consent: “If
the President deems it advisable, he may convene any
committees prior to the opening of the convention.” The
words “following which meeting to be held at least 6
weeks before the opening of the convention” were deleted
from the paragraph. By common consent the delegates
also changed the time of 8 weeks to 7 weeks in line 3 of
page 311 (Bylaw 1.27 g). The resolution was then adopted
as amended (Res. 14-01, TB 310). After inserting the
words “and further implemented” between the words
“incorporated” and “into” (line 47, TB 311) by common
consent, the delegates called for utilization of the new
convention format at the 1977 and subsequent conven-
tions of the Synod, with particular emphasis on the
small-group format.

Progress Report

The chairman, Dr. Preus, reported that of the 268
resolutions presented for action, 155 still remained to be
considered.

Convention Format Review

Dr. Scherer then introduced the final resolution from
the Convention Format Committee, which asked that the
Convention Format Review Committee meeting at the
1975 convention be included in an ad hoc committee
reporting to the 1977 convention of the Synod on conven-
tion format and procedures. Resolution 14-03 (TB 312)
was then adopted after inserting the word “evangelistic”
in line 25 (TB 312) between the words “fellowship” and
“and.”

Standing Rules

Responding to a suggestion from Mr. Robert Hirsch,
the convention adopted a resolution stating that “the
standing rules of the present convention shall serve as
the temporary rules for the 1977 convention.”

Missions

Chairman Richard Schlecht, chairman of the floor
committee on Missions, introduced Res. 2-09A (TB 238),
which directed the Board for Missions in consultation
with the black clergy caucus of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod to appoint a task force of lay persons and
clergy with competent staff personnel to explore models
of ministry and mission outreach which would be more
effective, efficient, and adaptable in and to the black
community. They also directed that funds be made avail-
able by the Board of Directors for this study. Resolution
2-09A (TB 238) was adopted as a substitute for Res. 2-09
(TB 37). The convention called for synodical and District
Church Extension Funds to coordinate their efforts (Res.
2-15, TB 40). After declining to add the words “with
specific emphasis on inner-city ministries” after the word
“Synod” in the resolved, the delegates adopted Res. 2-16
(TB 40), which encouraged the Church Extension Board
to operate uniformly throughout the Districts of the
Synod. The Church Extension Departments of the Synod
and the Districts were urged to seek state licensing
and/or certification for their Church Extension Depart-
ments (Res. 2-17, TB 40). The delegates then adopted
Res. 2-18 (TB 41), urging the Church Extension Board to
generate capital for its service-charge loan fund after
being informed that this action would make it possible to
offer small-interest loans to inner-city congregations and
to ethnic groups. Resolution 2-19 (TB 41), asking for
deferral of the request to use Church Extension funds to
meet the budget of the Synod, was withdrawn after the
convention was informed that the Commission on Consti-
tutional Matters had ruled that the earnings of the Fund
must revert back to it. As a result of this ruling, the
resolution was declared out of order. After declining to
change the word “a” to the words “the present” in line 3
of Res. 2-10A (TB 239), the delegates agreed with the
floor committee in declining to recommend Handbook
changes regarding Medical Missions. In response to a
question from the floor, it was stated that the intention
of the committee was that this in no way meant that the
present workable program could not be continued. This
intention was to be recorded in the minutes.