LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 45

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 45

there is a special need for the Gospel on the mainland of
China and that this is a tremendous challenge since
there are only 26 pastors presently in Taiwan. While
manpower is limited, he expressed the hope that The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod would help with all
forms of support in bringing the Gospel to mainland
China.

Orders of the Day

The chairman announced that unless there would be
objections from the floor, an additional 15 minutes
would be granted to the Floor Committee on Missions
for consideration of their resolutions. No objection was
received.

Missions

Continuing to express its concern for the expansion
of mission activity, the convention adopted Res. 1-19
(TB 54), which called for the beginning of literacy and
Bible translation work in 10 spoken languages not yet
reduced to writing. During discussion of the resolution,
Missionary John Fajen described the passage of this
resolution as one of the happiest moments in his life.
Pastor Fajen, who has been involved in the translation
of spoken languages in Nigeria, pointed out that 18
years ago, when he began his work, this type of action
was opposed. By adoption of Res. 1-20 (TB 55) the
convention adopted the mission challenge for the’80s of
600 new missionaries from The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod serving partner churches/mission
fields and asked that special attention and highest
priority be given to the recruitment, training, and
placement of qualified cross-cultural missionaries for
work in and with partner churches/mission fields.

Theology and Church Relations

Chairman Richard Schlecht of the Floor Committee
on Church Relations introduced Res. 3-08 (TB 99), which
called for accepting the report of the Board of Directors
on the SELC and LCMS merger. The delegates adopted
this resolution and agreed to the postponement of the
date for this merger since the reasons for it were
primarily financial and administrative. In adopting
Res. 3-09 (TB 100) they directed the President of the
Synod, in consultation with the Commission on Theol-
ogy and Church Relations, to invite the Lutheran
Church in America to reconsider its decision not to hold
discussions with the LCMS on issues that separate the
two church bodies and requested a report to the Synod
on progress which has been made as a result of this
renewed invitation. During the discussion of Res. 3-10
(TB 100) the delegates declined to accept an amendment
which would add to the third resolved the words “and
that the implementation of this resolution be in accord-
ance with the preamble of the LCMS Constitution,
where it states that one of the two reasons for forminga
synodical union relates to ‘our Lord’s will that the
diversities of gifts should be for the common profit’
(1 Cor. 12:4-31).” Because of an obvious editorial error,

the word “objectives” in line 46(7B 100) was changed to
the singular. After agreeing to cease debate, the dele-
gates adopted Res. 3-10 (TB 100) as presented by the
floor committee. Since the Synod has always exercised
its right and responsibility to state what it believes,
since the adopted and ratified doctrinal statements are
to be regarded as the corporate position of the Synod
and are to be honored and upheld until such time as they
are amended or repealed, and since the Handbook
provides for the right of dissent to doctrinal statements,
the convention declined to amend Dallas Res. 3-07,
dealing with the formation and adoption of doctrinal
statements. This action was taken by approval of Res.
3-11(7B 101). It also agreed to decline Overture 3-44 (CW
104—105), which asked for reconsideration of New
Orleans Res. 3-01 and 3-09. After adopting Res. 3-12(TB
101) and changing the title to read, “To Decline Again to
Act on New Orleans Resolutions 3-01 and 3-09,” the
convention agreed by common consent to change the
title once more to read, “To Decline Overture 3-44 on
New Orleans Resolutions 3-01 and 3-09” because the
title was subject to misunderstanding. By the adoption
of Res. 3-13(7B101) the delegates declined to change the
doctrinal review process since it has served the Synod
well and since an ongoing system of auditing the
process is in effect. Because Dallas Res. 3-25 expresses
the intent of Article VI, 2, b, of the Constitution of the
Synod, because there is no compelling reason to revise
the resolution, and because the Commission on Theol-
ogy and Church Relations is in the process of preparing
a comprehensive report on the nature and implications
of the concept of fellowship, the convention adopted
Res. 3-14 (TB 102) and declined overtures calling for the
adoption of guidelines for participating in ecumenical
worship services, weddings, and other Lutheran/non-
Lutheran observances. After agreeing to extend the
session time by 15 minutes and after brief discussion,
the delegates adopted Res. 3-15 (TB 102), which asked
that congregations, Circuit Counselors, and District
Presidents be diligent and pastoral in their ministry to
congregations and their pastors when these pastors
attack the Synod’s doctrinal position and in various
ways work at cross purposes to it. As its final resolution
the Floor Committee on Theology and Church Relations
asked that Overture L3-66 (TB 209), dealing with wor-
ship help for refugees, be included in Resolution A (with
reference to the Commission on Worship) adopted ear-
lier in the convention. With the adoption of this resolu-
tion the work of the Floor Committee on Theology and
Church Relations was declared completed.

Closing Devotion

Closing devotion for the session was conducted by
Dr. Andrew Chiu, president of the Lutheran Church—
Hong Kong Synod. During the devotion he listed a
number of occurrences which indicate that God may be
opening the doors in mainland China for the spread of
the Gospel. The devotion closed witha prayer led by Dr.
Chiu.