LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 38

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38 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

continue the procedure which had previously been
adopted. By the adoption of Res. 4-06 (TB 109) the Board
of Managers—Concordia Welfare Plan was asked to
give careful consideration to post-65 benefits, to bring
such benefits even with the objectives of full medical
coverage, including government Medicare, for those on
fixed incomes. In approving Res. 4-07 (7B 109) and Res.
4-08B (TB 275) the convention authorized the construc-
tion or purchase of a synodical headquarters building
and requested The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Foundation to make every effort to obtain sufficient
gifts so that the entire project might be debt free at its
completion. If this could not be done, the Treasurer of
the Synod was authorized to obtain suitable financing
for costs not covered by the gifts. The site for the new
headquarters building is to be on the campus of Concor-
dia Seminary, St. Louis. In the event it cannot be
constructed at that location, the Board of Directors was
empowered to select another location in the St. Louis
metropolitan area.

Recognition

Following the passage of the previous resolutions,
Dr. Norman Sell, Treasurer of the Synod, introduced Dr.
J. David Heino, Executive Director of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod Foundation. Dr. Heino re-
quested Pastor Ervin Lemke, the pastor of Mrs. Marcella
Neimann, to introduce her to the delegates. Mrs. Nei-
mann had provided the seed money for the headquarters
building for the Synod. After she had briefly addressed
the convention, President Preus expressed the thanks of
the entire Synod for her generosity.

Closing Devotion

Closing devotion for the session was conducted by
Rev. Henry Koepchen, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Synod, and consisted of a hymn, a
reading from the Book of Acts, and prayer.

Session 8

July 10, Evening
Opening Devotion

Opening devotion for the evening session was con-
ducted by the chaplain for the convention, Dr. Gerhardt
Nitz, who led the delegates in the singing of “Jesus, Thy
Blood and Righteousness.” This was followed by a
devotion based on a section from 1 Cor. 12 and prayer.

Special and Sundry Matters

Chairman Arthur Kuehnert of the Floor Committee
on Special and Sundry Matters introduced Res. 9-03(TB
154), which called for the improvement and emphasiz-
ing of conferences. By adopting this resolution the
delegates encouraged attendance at conferences by
those for whom they were organized as a means for
growth. They adopted Res. 9-04 (TB 155) and thereby
amended Bylaw 15.51, which dealt with the transfer of
official records to the Concordia Historical Institute.

Prior to adopting this resolution, Dr. August Suelflow,
Archivist of the Synod, pointed out that Concordia
Historical Institute serves three purposes. It serves asa
depository for manuscripts, as the historical library,
and as a museum area. The Bylaws were amended in
order to help prevent the loss of important historical
documents, as well as to bring the Bylaws into harmony
with present practice. By adoption of Res, 9-05 (TB 156)
the convention urged the resolution of concerns ex-
pressed in Overture 9-11 (CW 243) by encouraging the
parties involved to expedite efforts towards a God-
pleasing solution to any difficulties. Prior to adoption of
Res. 9-06 (7B 157), calling for support of the ministry of
the Armed Forces Commission, the convention was
addressed By Dr. Milton Ernstmeyer, executive secre-
tary of the commission. In his remarks he expressed
thankfulness for the continued generous support by
pastors and congregations of the LCMS in providing a
Lutheran ministry to members in the military service,
as well as to their families and civilian members
overseas. He also expressed thankfulness for the faith-
ful ministry of more than 100 pastors serving on active
duty as chaplains, for the special ministry performed by
125 pastors who are reserve chaplains, and for the
sincere interest in pastoral care of ministers and con-
gregations who have provided the names of members
who are serving in the military or are civilian members
overseas. Resolution 9-06 (7B 157) was adopted as
presented. Discussion was begun on Res. 9-07 (TB 157),
which called for the provision of adequate maintenance
for church workers. A motion was made and seconded to
consider an amendment which would place before the
words “‘to see toit” the words “to remind congregations”
in line 64 (7B 157). Time for discussion expired before
action on the resolution could be completed.

Elections
Chairman Simon of the Floor Committee on Elec-
tions reported the following election results:

Concordia Publishing House TEACHER

Board of Directors Schmidt, Donald E.
TEACHER Board of Control, Fort Wayne
Laesch, Roger C. TEACHER
Board of Youth Ministry Bultemeyer, Richard L.
LAYMAN

Board of Control, Selma
Krueger, Rick

PASTOR
Board of Control, Austin Foard, Howard A.
PASTOR LAYPERSON

Lehnhardt, Marvin H. Saunders, Nancy

He also reported that additional elections would be
needed for the Board of Missions and the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations. Ballots for the
remaining positions to be filled were then distributed to
the voting delegates.

Social Ministry

Before introducing the resolutions relating to social
ministry, Chairman Arthur H. Ziegler of the Floor
Committee on Social Ministry introduced Dr. Leslie
Weber, Executive Secretary of the Board of Social