LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 29

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 29

Administration

Chairman of the Floor Committee on Administra-
tion, Alvin Kollmann, introduced Res. 4-01A (7B 245),
which called for Handbook changes which would pro-
vide for the separate incorporation of Lutheran Church
Extension Fund—Missouri Synod. By adopting the
resolution the delegates ratified the formation of the
Fund as a separate corporation and provided for the
necessary Bylaws. Resolution 4-02 (TB 107), calling for
assurance of the voluntary nature of District participa-
tion in Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri
Synod, was next considered. A motion to add a second
resolved stating, “That when authority to allocate the
District funds is taken from the District, they shall have
the right to withdraw or secede from the Lutheran
Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod,” later simpli-
fied to simply include “or withdrawal” in the resolution,
was considered but declined by the delegates. The
resolution was then adopted as presented. During the
discussion it was stated that provisions for withdrawal
by Districts are included in the Articles of Incorporation
of the Fund. Prior to adopting Res. 4-03A (TB 250),
requesting the Board of Managers to review Survivor
Plan benefits, the convention adopted several amend-
ments. The first of these called for the deletion of lines
18—23 (TB 250). The second called for the deletion of the
words “pastors and teachers” in line 25 and the substitu-
tion of the word “workers,” the deletion of the words
“have opted out of” and the substitution of the words
“do not participate in” in line 26 ( TB 250), the placing of
a semicolon after the words “Social Security,” and the
deletion of the remaining words in the same line. After
approving these changes, the resolution was adopted as
amended. The delegates then adopted Res. 4-04 (TB 108)
and thereby referred concerns regarding retirement
matters to the Board of Managers and asked them to
report their findings and decisions on Worker Benefit
Plans to the next convention.

Introductions

Dr. Ben Holt, who is 96 years old and has served the
Synod faithfully in many capacities, was introduced to
the convention and received a standing ovation from
the delegates. Dr. Preus also welcomed representatives
from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and
representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Bible Study

President Preus introduced Dr. Oswald Hoffmann,
Lutheran Hour speaker, who led the delegates in a Bible
study based on Acts 1 and 2. Copies of Good News in
Action, containing the Book of Acts in Today’s English
Version of the New Testament prepared by the American
Bible Society, were distributed to the delegates. Group
discussion among them was based on a series of ques-
tions for reflection and discussion on mission themes in
the Acts of the Apostles entitled “On the Way,” which
had been prepared by Dr. Hoffmann.

Guests

Mrs. Ursula Glander, representing the American

Bible Society, was introduced to the convention by
President Preus. In her remarks Mrs. Glander described
the work of the organization, whose goal is to place a
portion of Scripture into the hands of every man,
woman, and child in the world. She pointed out that an
old proverb says there is only one crime worse than
murder, and that is knowing where there is water on the
desert and not telling someone about it. This is like
knowing the Good News, the water of life, and not
sharing it with anyone else. Dr. Robert Schnabel,
president of Valparaiso University, was introduced to
the delegates and addressed them briefly on the role of
the university and its relation to The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod. He pointed out that the university re-
ceived its origin as a result of the work of members of the
Synod and stated that the university is proud of its
linkage with the Synod ever since its founding in 1925.
Valparaiso University considers itself a partnership
institution in many ways with the Synod. Dr. Schnabel
expressed gratitude for past support and asked for
continuing assistance through observance of Valpa-
raiso Sundays by the congregations of the Synod.

Anniversary Observance

After the delegates had joined in the singing of the
Canadian national anthem, “O Canada,” Dr. Preus
introduced President Albin Stanfel of the Ontario Dis-
trict. In his remarks Dr. Stanfel pointed out that the
Ontario District is the successor of the Canada District,
which came into existence 100 years ago. The District
had its origin when Johann Adam Ernst gathered 11
congregations together in 1879 and formed the Canada
District. The theme of the centennial observance was
“Past in Praise; the Future in Faith.” Following this
presentation President Elroy Treit of the Lutheran
Church—Canada addressed the convention. He urged
the delegates to support the formation of an indigenous
partner church in Canada, one which is in all areas one
with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod but sep-
arate in administration. He supported his request by
pointing to problems which confront the Lutheran
Church in Canada, problems which he felt could be
solved only through the formation of an independent
organization. He described such an organization as a
strong Canadian group dedicated to a strong confes-
sional position and fully dedicated to Christ.

Theology and Church Relations

Chairman Richard Schlecht of the Floor Committee
on Theology and Church Relations introduced Res. 3-03
(TB 96) for consideration. This resolution called for a
continuation of a state of “fellowship in protest” with
The American Lutheran Church. After the resolution
had been read, Rev. Nafzger, Executive Secretary of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, re-
viewed the factors which had been taken into considera-
tion in preparing the report of the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations. He asked the delegates
to give careful consideration to the proposed resolution
and stated that it is the belief of the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations that the recommended