LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 31

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 31

ical officals, who still allowed the organization to plan
its own program and choose its own projects. She
reported that the mission goal of $560,000 had been
exceeded by over $2,000 during the past year. The
LWML will be holding its meeting in Omaha July
16—19 under the theme “Sow the Seed.” Mrs. Morris
then presented Dr. Preus with a counselor pin as the
chief counselor of the Synod and of the LWML. Since A.
Walter Hanf, president of the International Lutheran
Laymen’s League, was not able to be present, he was
represented by John Daniels, executive director of the
LLL. He brought greetings from the organization to the
delegates and reminded them of the convention which
will be held in Toronto under the theme “God So Loves
the World.” He stated that God not only opens doors but
that they are off their hinges and we had better be ready
to enter.

Announcement

Dr. Edward Westcott, Executive Secretary for Mis-
sions, announced that the offering at the Mission Rally
held on Sunday evening had reached a total of over
$43,000 and was still climbing. He reminded the dele-
gates that this is what can happen when we walk by
faith and not by sight.

Sundry Matters

Chairman Arthur Kuehnert of the Floor Committee
on Sundry Matters introduced Res. 9-01 (TB 153) to the
delegates. This resolution called forthe Synod to express
its opposition to blasphemy and pornography in movies,
in the media, and in literature and asked the Public
Relations Department of the Synod to relay this stance
to the producers of the public media as well as to develop
guidelines for helping congregations, schools, and fam-
ilies in their efforts to protest and combat this evil trend.
The convention adopted the resolution as presented.
After declining to consider Res. 9-02 (TB 153) as a
substitute resolution, the delegates adopted Res. 9-02A
(TB 257), which called for allowing the concept of
special creation to be taught in public schools and for a
copy of the resolution to be sent to all State Departments
of Education. This action was taken after the resolution
had been amended by adding the words “we urge’ in the
first resolve and by deleting references to the United
States by common consent. Through this action, the
words “of the United States” and the words “in the
United States” were deleted in lines 13 and 16 (TB 257).

Missions

Chairman Happel of the Floor Committee on Mis-
sions introduced Res. 1-09 (TB 49), which called for the
support of a Great Commission Convocation on Nov.
6—9, 1980. Before considering the resolution the dele-
gates heard Dr. Erwin Kolb, Executive Secretary for
Evangelism, describe the position of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod as a declining one. He pointed
out that a turnaround is needed and that evangelism
must have higher priority. This can be done by learning
from each other in a gathering such as the proposed
convocation. The theme of the convocation would be

“Discipling in the ’80s.” After adding an additional
resolved, which stated, “Resolved, That we encourage
Districts or regional combinations of Districts to hold
similar convocations in their area after the 1980
synodical convocation,” the delegates adopted the reso-
lution as amended. Resolution 1-10 (TB 49—50), calling
for the establishment of goals in evangelism, was taken
under consideration by the convention. The delegates
declined to add as point 5 (TB 50) a statement to the
effect that Districts should evaluate losses of member-
ship in congregations and help congregations take
corrective action. They also declined to refer the resolu-
tion back to the committee for a stronger resolution on
evangelism and for the purpose of avoiding the use of
percentages or statistics. After further discussion they
agreed to change the words “at least 80 percent” to “all”
in lines 3 and5(7B50), the words “at least 90 percent’ to
“all” in line 7, and the words “at least 30” to “all” in line
10 (TB 50). After agreeing to cease discussion on all
amendments as well as the original resolution, Res. 1-10
(TB 49—50) was then adopted as amended. Res. 1-17(TB
53—54), thanking God for the 20 years of blessings
which have come to the church and people around the
world through the Concordia Tract Mission and encour-
aging a greater use of tracts in ministry by individuals
and congregations, as well as other forms of support for
this ministry, was adopted without debate.

Recognition

Following the adoption of Res. 1-17 (TB 53—54) Dr.
Kolb introduced Mr. Emil Benz, director of the Concor-
dia Tract Mission, who introduced Werner and June
Schaffner, who have been involved in the tract ministry
since its inception. A plaque was presented to them
recognizing their work in this ministry for the past 25
years.

Missions

Continuing their consideration of resolutions related
to missions, the delegates adopted Res. 1-11 (TB 50),
calling for the establishment of Open-House Mission
emphases in Districts and congregations of the Synod.
This action was taken after an amendment calling for
the addition of the words “open doors” before all
references to “Open-House” was declined. They also
declined an amendment which called for the addition of
a resolved which would state, “Resolved, That all other
Lutheran church bodies be invited to join in planning
and participating in such ‘Open-House’ missions.” By
the adoption of Res. 1-28(7B61) the delegates asked the
Board of Directors of the Synod to expedite the expan-
sion of the Synod’s evangelism staff by adding a third
member to it. They also requested a clarification of
relationships between the Synod and the group known
as Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ (Res. 1-29, TB 61).

Announcements

President Preus reminded the delegates that resolu-
tions may be read and approved by title if the conven-
tion agrees to that procedure. Itis not necessary that all