LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 99

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RESOLUTIONS 99

open, honest, fair and evangelical, so that the Synod and
all associated with it may carry out together the task our
Lord Jesus Christ has assigned to His church on earth, to
make disciples of all nations and to teach them to
observe all things He has commanded us; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod, by the mercies of God,
beseech all within its membership who have taken excep-
tion to actions of the Synod to follow our mutually
adopted procedures for expressing their dissent, and at
the same time honor our agreement to walk and work
together in loving expression of our fellowship in Jesus
Christ.

Action: Adopted (9).

(In introducing this resolution the committee made several
editorial changes as indicated in the Minutes. A motion to re-
turn to the two minute rule was declined as well as an amend-
ment to include Balance, Inc., in those statements referring to
ELIM as a divisive influence. Both Pres. J. A. O. Preus and Dr.
C. Thos. Spitz were given a special opportunity to speak. Their
comments are summarized in the Minutes. During the debate it
was stated that those who agreed with the ELIM point of view
would gather on the parking lot after action on this resolution
had been taken. A motion to table the matter was declined.
Before voting on the resolution the delegates were asked to join
in silent prayer. The resolution was then adopted by a standing
vote of 601 to 473. Debora Hage asked that a point of order be
recorded in the Minutes. Following the singing of two stanzas of
“I Walk in Danger All the Way,” the chairman declared a 15-
minute recess.)

To Utilize Women’s Gifts
RESOLUTION 3-07
Report 3-01, IV, A, App. 3-01 I (CW, pp. 46, 57—63)

Wuereas, The Task Force on Women has served the
Synod faithfully; and

Wuereas, The Task Force on Women has through
careful investigation brought to the attention of the
Synod through a report many valuable insights; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the convention rejoice that progress is
being made in utilizing more fully the gifts of women in
Christian witness, service, education, and contributions
to policy making; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention encourage all congre-
gations, Districts, and synodwide departments and agen-
cies to examine their existing structures and procedures
and to develop plans to make any necessary changes in:

a. personnel practices (hiring, promotion, salarying,
etc.), to conform with the Synod’s personnel policies;

b. systems of nominating, electing, and appointing
men and women to decision-making bodies, and methods
of recruiting and selecting persons for full-time staff
positions;

c. images and role models of men and women por-
trayed in church curricula, publications, and actual
styles of operation;

d. language used in worship materials;
and be it finally

Resolved, That all the people of God use all opportuni-
ties to put the gifts of the Spirit to work in their daily

lives, in the church, and in witness and service to others
in the world.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Commend Task Force on Women
RESOLUTION 3-08

Report 3-01, IV, A, App. 3-01 I; Overtures 3-141, 3-
146A, B (CW, pp. 46, 57—63, 106—107)

Wuereas, The President of the Synod appointed a
Task Force on Women at the direction of the 1973
convention; and

Wuereas, The Task Force on Women has done valu-
able work in indicating those areas where the Synod, its
congregations, and its agencies have not fully utilized
the many talents God has given to women and have not
adequately recognized the many services that they are
already performing for the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod express its appreciation to
the Task Force for its valuable accomplishments through
its study of the role of women in the LCMS in sensitizing
the church to the need for increased participation by
women in the life of the church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force be continued for two
years of further study and report to the 1977 convention.

Action: Adopted as amended (10).

(The convention substituted the above second resolved for
the resolved presented by the committee, which would have
assigned further study to the standing Social Concerns Commit-
tee of the CTCR.)

To Decline Division of the Synod
RESOLUTION 3-09

Overtures 3-41, 3-42A, 3-42B, 3-43, 3-44 (CW, pp. 74—
76)

Wuereas, Overture 3-43 alleges that the adoption of
“A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles”
has, in effect, added to the confessional standard of the
Synod; and

Wuereas, Overture 3-43 calls for a division of the
Synod on the basis of this allegation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod declare that the adoption of
“A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles”
does not add to or alter the confessional base of the
Synod as expressed in Article I] of its Constitution, and
be it further

Resolved, That we continue to trust the Holy Spirit’s
power to restore a God-pleasing agreement in doctrine
and practice within the Synod, and that we decline all
overtures which call for a division of the Synod.

Action: Adopted (10).

(The convention defeated a motion to refer the resolution to
Committee 3 to reevaluate it and to present a revised version on
Friday morning. It declined to divide the resolution into (1) the
whereases and the first resolved, and (2) the second resolved. It
also declined an amendment to have the final resolved read
simply, “That we trust the Holy Spirit’s power to restore a God-
pleasing agreement in doctrine and practice within the Synod.”