LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 110

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110 RESOLUTIONS

An amalgamation resolution was actually adopted at
the 1935 synodical convention, which said:

Wuereas, The matter of amalgamation has been before
Synod and has been thoroughly discussed repeatedly ever
since 1923; therefore your committee is of the opinion that
the time for the amalgamation of the congregations of the
English District with other Districts has fully arrived and
that such amalgamation will be most expedient and salutary
for both the English District and for other Districts of
Synod. Your committee therefore recommends that the Pres-
ident of Synod appoint a committee to confer with duly
appointed representatives of the English District and work
out with them an equitable and profitable solution of the
whole question to the end that the amalgamation, if possi-
ble, be accomplished by the next convention in 1938.

Although it was adopted, nothing happened. Imple-
mentation simply bogged down.

Attempts to effect amalgamation were made in the
synodical conventions of 1950, 1953, and 1956, and com-
mittees were appointed by the general Synod and by the
English District to accomplish this end, but without
success. At the 1973 New Orleans convention, Resolution
4-41, which was not acted on because of the expiration of
convention time, again called for the assimilation of the
English District congregations into the geographical Dis-
tricts. This same issue now faces the delegates of this
1975 convention.

WHEREAS, The English District in its earlier years
fulfilled an important need and rendered valuable serv-
ice to the Synod; and

Wuereas, The purpose of the formation of the Eng-
lish District, namely English language work, has been
long since fulfilled; and

Wuereas, There has, for many years, been a vast
duplication of program, administration, and funding by
the English District and the geographical Districts; and

WHEREAs, The amalgamation of the English District
congregations with the geographic Districts has been
proposed to the Synod in convention many times and has
been under detailed study; and

Wuereas, The 1973 convention again initiated such
an amalgamation proposal, Resolution 4-41, and took
action by referring it to the Board of Directors in the
Omnibus Resolution; and

Wuereas, The Board of Directors adopted the follow-
ing resolution with respect to the “Assimilation of the
English District”:

Wuereas, Resolution 4-41 of the New Orleans con--
vention of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod was
not acted upon by the Synod in 1973 for lack of time and
was referred under Omnibus Resolution 4-47 to the Board
of Directors; and

Wuereas, This resolution (4-41) deals with a matter
of such importance that it should be considered by the
Synod in convention and not by the Board of Directors;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors resubmit Resolu-
tion 4-41 to the 51st convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, which is to meet at Anaheim, Calif.,
July 4—11, 1975;

and

Wuereas, In a later action the Board of Directors
proposed that this question be referred to a task force to
study all Districts; and

Wuereas, It appears that the question of nongeo-
graphic Districts must be resolved before a study of all
Districts is practical; and

WHEREAS, All the requirements of Bylaw 3.03 c, per-
taining to the dissolution of Districts, have been fulfilled;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District be dissolved,
effective July 15, 1976; and be it further

Resolved, That every congregation, pastor, and
teacher in membership with the English District as of
July 15, 1976, be assigned on that date to the respective
geographical District in which such is located or resides;
and be it further

Resolved, That all matters relating to the dissolution
of the English District, including but not limited to the
corporate status, real and personal property, and the
Church Extension Fund, shall be coordinated by the
synodical Board of Directors and that these matters be:
completed by July 15, 1976; and be it further

Resolved, 1. That all members of the English District
be encouraged to respond positively and cooperatively to
this resolution of the Synod, and 2. That all members of
the English District be encouraged to continue to serve
their Lord by giving loyal service and support to the
proclamation of the Gospel through their respective geo-
graphic Districts; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod declare its gratefulness to
God for the services the English District has rendered to
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as well as for its
faithful mission endeavors for the past 100 years.

Action: Not carried.

Minority Proposal

The following members of Committee 4 are grateful
for the permission to submit the following proposal: L.
Lloyd Behnken, Leonard C. Glaser, John M. Haffenref-
fer, R. A. Jagels, Arthur Nordstrom, Jay Pfotenhauver,
Henry E. Simon.

Wuereas, Intensive study has revealed that the mat-
ter of amalgamation of the congregations of the English
District has wide-ranging, time-requiring, complex fac-
tors which need much more prayerful, careful, expert,
and unpressured study; and

WHEREAS, This convention has ordered a task force to
study the total synodical structure, including possible
revision of District lines and possible merging of Dis-
tricts; and

Wuereas, This is an administrative matter, and not
doctrinal, and therefore has no Scriptural imperative
which demands action at this convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That the question of the amalgamation of
English District congregations be referred by this con-
vention to the ad hoc committee; and be it finally

Resolved, That this matter be Biven high priority on
said ad hoc committee’s agenda, with recommendation
for specific action by the Synod’s 1977 convention.