LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 28

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28 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

communicate with the Commission on Worship regard-
ing changes which they felt would be beneficial. Resolu-
tion 3-02A (TB 208), calling for the Synod to state its
position on abortion, was next presented to the dele-
gates for consideration. In the discussion which fol-
lowed, three amendments were approved. The first
amendment placed the words “(Prov. 31:8-9)” in line 42
(TB 208) between the words “privately” and “against.”
The second added as No. 7 to the second resolved the
words, “To teach the biological, social, and parental
functions of childbearing within our schools and church-
es” [see Minutes, Session 7]. The third added as No. 8 to
the same resolved the words, “To support the efforts to
secure the human-life amendment to the United States
Constitution.” The resolution was then adopted as
amended. After the resolution had been adopted, the
word “Lutheran” was added by common consent prior
to the word “schools” in the second amendment which
was approved. Following the adoption of the resolution,
a certificate of charter membership in Lutherans for
Life was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Preus.

Closing Devotion

As a closing devotion the convention chaplain, Dr.
Nitz, led the delegates in the singing of the hymn
“Arise, O God, and Shine” and in a prayer for the
church.

Session 4
July 9, Morning
Opening Devotion

Opening devotion for the session was conducted by
Dr. Richard Schlecht, President of the Michigan Dis-
trict, substituting for the convention chaplain, Dr. Nitz.
After the singing of the hymn “Every Morning Mercies
New” the delegates joined in the praying of the morning
prayer, including Luther’s Morning Prayer.

Point of Privilege

Responding to a question from the floor about the
distribution of Affirm, Secretary Mueller stated that
according to the policy of the Board of Directors there is
to be no distribution within the building proper. How-
ever, there is no policy regarding distribution outside
the convention building.

Constitutional Matters

Chairman Arnold Kuntz of the Floor Committee on
Constitutional Matters presented Res. 5-05A (TB 210)
and Res. 5-20 (TB 210), which called for receiving St.
James, Lynnwood, Wash., and Beautiful Savior, Lees
Summit, Mo., into membership in the Synod. The
delegates agreed to act on both resolutions simulta-
neously and adopted them. They also agreed in response
to late Overture L5-20 (TB 243) to receive Nativity
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Parshallville, Mich.,
into membership. After declining to add the words “one
week prior to the Circuit meeting” as the final words of
the second resolved, the delegates adopted Res. 5-06 (TB
119), which called for improving the implementation of

Bylaw 1.53 regarding election of Circuit delegates. They
also agreed to a Bylaw change which provided that in
the event of a vacancy in the office of the Presidency or
Vice-Presidency of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod between conventions, the remaining officers
would be advanced to fill such vacancy or vacancies
and the resulting vacancy would remain until filled by
election at the next convention of the Synod (Res. 5-07,
TB 119). The delegates affirmed their belief that Dallas
Res. 5-01 was appropriate and in keeping with constitu-
tional procedures in dealing with the problem of dual
membership (Res. 5-08, 7B 120). By adopting Res. 5-09
(TB 120) and Res. 5-11 (7B 120) the convention deferred
action on proposed synodical membership of directors
of Christian education and declined to seat uncertified
pastors at conventions, in agreement with a previous
ruling of the Commission on Constitutional Matters.
Discussion of Res. 5-12 (7B 121) was begun. During the
discussion the delegates agreed to consider a substitute
motion. This substitute resolution stated that—

WHEREAS, ‘“‘Retired member” is defined by the Concor-
dia Retirement Plan itself as a minister of religion who may
be employed by a congregation part time (Concordia
Welfare Plan 1.15 and 1.17); and

WHEREAS, There is nothing in Synod’s Constitution
which prohibits a Christian congregation from calling a
minister to serve them as pastor on a part-time basis; and

WHEREAS, We have many congregations in our rural
areas and small towns who can be served well on a part-
time basis by retired pastors; and

WHEREAS, Over 500 vacancies in the Synod is clear
evidence that the services of these pastors are needed in the
service of Christ and His church; and

WHEREAS, Scripture itself encourages ministers to con-
tinue serving Christ according to ability no matter what
their age (1 Cor. 4:2; Matt. 25:14 ff.); therefore be it

Resolved, That our smaller congregations be encour-
aged to call on our retired pastors on a part-time basis; and
be it further

Resolved, That retired pastors who are called by congre-
gations as their pastors be guaranteed their constitutional
right to vote at District and synodical conventions (Hand-
book, Constitution, Art. V, A).

After agreeing to close debate on the substitute motion,
the delegates declined it. They then agreed to terminate
debate on the resolution as presented by the committee
and adopted it. The Floor Committee on Constitutional
Matters next presented Res. 5-10A (TB 255). By adopt-
ing this resolution the delegates agreed to defer action
on establishing the office of evangelist. During the
discussion of Res. 5-13 (TB 121), which called for
deferring the granting of voting rights to teachers, a
resolution on which the floor committee dealing with
matters presented by the Task Force on Constitution,
Bylaws, and Structure of the Synod concurred, the
delegates declined to consider Overture 5-24 (CW 160) as
a substitute motion. Then they adopted the original
motion as presented. Discussion of Res. 5-14 (TB 121),
calling for declining the pastoral vote to lay ministers,
was begun. During the discussion the convention agreed
to consider Overture 5-25 (CW 161) as a substitute
motion. Time elapsed, however, before action could be
completed on the resolution.

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