LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 439

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

To Decline Overtures 3-181 through 3-189
(Actions Re Seminary)
RESOLUTION 3-15
Overtures 3-181, 3-182A, 3-182B, 3-183, 3-184, 3-185,
3-186, 3-187A, 3-187B, 3-187C, 3-188, 3-189

(CW, pp. 160—162)

Wuereas, The convention has acted with respect to
the concerns raised in the overtures; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overtures 3-181, 3-182A, 3-182B,
3-183, 3-184, 3-185, 3-186, 3 187A, 3-187B, 3-187C, 3-188,
3-189 be repectfully declined.

To Deal with Concerns
RESOLUTION 3-16
Overtures 3-111 through 3-130, 3-155A through 3-155F
(CW, pp. 145—150, 154—155

Wuereas, These overtures express serious concerns
of member congregations of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the synodical President or his rep-
resentative on the Board of Control of Concordia Sem-
inary, St. Louis, Mo., call a meeting of the said Board
of Control as soon as possible; and be it also

Resolved, That these concerns be turned over to the
Board of Control for action.

To Encourage Extension of Social Security Act
RESOLUTION 4-25
Overture 12-18 (CW. p. 391)

Wuereas, Many of our full-time church workers are
not currently eligible for Social Security coverage on
a self-employed basis; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors, together with
Synod's legal department, make a careful study of the
situation and take the necessary steps to obtain a pos-
sible ruling that would make all full-time church
workers eligible.

To Decline Merger of Commission
on Organizations with Commission
on Theology and Church Relations

RESOLUTION 4-23
Overture 4-36 (CW. p. 196)

Wuereas. The organizational structure of Synod is
being reviewed: and

Wuereas. Other important functions are already be-
ing assigned to the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Organizations be
retained in its present form until such review is com-
pleted: and be it further

Resolved, That Overture 4-36 be declined.

To Modify Provision of Retirement Policies
RESOLUTION 4-30
Report 4-04, V, E; Overture 4-59 (CW, pp. 172, 200)

Wuereas, Many contributions in time and energy
have been made by persons over 65; and

Wuereas, In compliance with Milwaukee Resolution
4-46, the Board of Directors has reviewed the retire-
ment and further service of staff members: and

Wuereas, The study revealed the need for a Bylaw
change; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 2.105 a 1 which presently reads,

1, Each such person may retire at age 65, but
shall be retired on the first day of the month
following the month in which his 70th birthday
occurs.

be revised to read:

1. Each such person may request early retire-
ment under the applicable provisions of the Con-
cordia Retirement Plan, but he shall be retired at
the end of the calendar year in which his 65th
birthday occurs. Any further service beyond this
mandatory date shall be on a contract basis not to
exceed one year in duration, upon medical certifi-
cation, with a provision for annual renewal to
age 70.

and be it also
Resolved, That all pertinent Bylaws be amended ac-
cordingly, any Bylaws to the contrary notwithstandmg.

REFERRED RESOLUTIONS

To Reconstitute the Commission
on Mission and Ministry

RESOLUTION 4-31
Report 4-08, III, 1, 2, 3 (CW. pp. 182—185)

Wuereas, The convention assembled has chosen to
retain the Commission on Mission and Ministry in the
Church: and

Wuereas, The Commission has requested that its size
be reduced: therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 2.111 which presently reads:
2.111 Commission on Mission and Ministry in the
Church

a. Membership. Membership of the Commission
on Mission and Ministry in the Church shall be
constituted as follows:

1. ten voting members elected by the synodical
convention in the same manner as other elected
boards. commissions. and committees: four pastors.
two teachers, and four laymen who are recognized
in their respective fields of endeavor, representing
some of the areas concerned with the cultural fac-
tors affecting the church:

2. nine voting members appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Synod in consu:tation with the Vice-
Presidents: four laymen with qualifications similar
to those described above. and one representative
from each of the theological seminaries and from
the colleges which confer the baccalaureate degree
in teacher education;

3. four advisory members: the President of the
Synod or his representative. and three members

from among the executive leadership of the Synod,
appointed by the President of the Synod in con-
sultation with the Vice-Presidents.

be revised to read:

1. five voting members elected by the synodical
convention: two pastors, one teacher, and two
Jaymen:

2. five voting members appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Synod in consultation with the Vice-
Presidents: two laymen, two members. one from
each of the theological seminaries. and one member
from a college which confers the baccalaureate
degree in teacher education:

3. one advisory member, who shall be the
President of the Synod or his representative.

and be it further

Resolved, That all pertinent Bylaws be amended ac-
cordingly, any Bylaws to the contrary notwithstanding.

To Recognize with Thanks the Reports
of the Administrative Units
RESOLUTION 4-35
Reports 4-01, 4-02, 4-03, 4-04, 4-05. 4-06, 4-07, 4-08, 4-104

to B (CW, pp. 167, 168, 179, 180. 182, 185, 185—190)

Wuereas, The reports of the following administrative
units of the Synod have been received and duly noted:
therefore be it

Resolved, That we recognize with thanks the work
done by the President, the First Vice-President, the
Secretary, the Board of Directors, the Department of
Research and Statistics. the Synodical Service Commis-
sion, the Lutheran Church — Canada, the Commission
on Mission and Ministry in the Church, the 125th An-
niversary Observance Committee, the 125th Anniversary
Progress Committee, together with their reports.

To Decline to Advise President
in Appointments
RESOLUTION 4-36
Overture 4-46 (CW. p. 198)

Wuereas, The Synodical Handbook already sets down
the procedures regarding presidential appointments. and

Wuereas. These procedures are of long standing and
have proven effective: therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 4-46 be declined.

To Give Further Study
to the Formation of National Churches

RESOLUTION 4-39
Overtures 4-17, 4-18, (CW, pp. 192, 193)

Wuereas. The whole matter of mission churches
overseas becoming national churches is currently under
study; therefore be it

Resolved, That we await the results of this study
before taking any definite action: and be it further

439

Resolved, That the matter of non-USA_ Districts
forming national churches be a part of this same study.

To Decline to Reveal Salaries
RESOLUTION 4-40
Overture 4-49 (CW. p. 198)
Wuereas. The salaries of synodical and District per-
sonnel receive annual review and are subject to change:
and

WHeREAS. There are very few positive purposes to be
achieved by such a revelation: therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 4-49 be declined.

To Provide for the Orderly Assimilation
of the English District

RESOLUTION 4-41
Overtures 4-19, 4-20, 4-21, 4-22, 4-23 (CW. pp. 192, 193)

Whereas. The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
has divided itself into Districts in order to bring Christ
to all people in an efficient manner. and

Wereas. The English District has been an able min-
ister in the Synod for over 62 years of its 100-year his-
tory: and

Wuereas, The administration and ministry of the
English District overlap that of the geographic Districts;
and

Wuereas. The English District could bring leadership
and strength to the geographic Districts: and

Wuereas. The purpose of the English District as de-
signed in 1911, namely to minister to English-speaking
people, has long since ended: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod express its appreciation and gratitude to the
English District for the valuable Kingdom work done
during the past years of our Synod’s history: and be
it further

Resolved, That the English District be instructed by
Synod to take steps to assimilate its congregations into
the geographical Districts: and be it further

Resolved, That this assimilation be reached by the
time of the 1977 synodical convention: and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Directors and the re-
spective departments of the Synod work together with
the English District in this process.

To Study the Rights of Withdrawing
Congregations and or Clergy
RESOLUTION 4-42

Overture 4-16 (CW. p. 192)

Wuereas, The Lord wants our Christian dealings and
love in relation to our fellow believers to transcend any
political or theological divisions and differences; and

WHereas, Situations may arise which may lead to
withdrawal from our fellowship; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors direct a thor-
ough study of the rights and privileges of congregations
and or clergy who may wish to withdraw from the
Synod: and be it also

Resolved, That the results of this study be made
available at the time of the synodical convention in 1975.

To Call Circuit Counselors’ Convocation
RESOLUTION 4-44

Overture 4-56 (CW. pp. 199—200)

Whereas, The study of God's Word is essential to
the growth of our pastors and our church: and

Wuereas, Face-to-face, brotherly sharing of theolog-
ical concerns needs to continue; and

Wuergas, The circuit counselors should play a vital
role in leading and guiding the pastors of their circuits
in theological discussions: therefore be it

Resolved, That a theological convocation for circuit
counselors be called by the Synod on a Synodwide basis,
for the purpose of continued study of the great truths
of God's Word; and also be it

Resolved, That such a convocation be held in the
fall of 1974.