LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 46

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46 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Session 11

July 12, Morning
Opening Devotion

In the opening devotion for the session the chaplain
for the convention, Dr. Nitz, led the delegates in the
singing of ahymn on the theme of the convention, “God
Opens Doors,” written by Carl E. Zahrte, found on page
314 of Today’s Business, and in the morning prayer on
that same page. The devotion was closed with a brief
meditation.

Higher Education

Chairman John Zimmermann of the Floor Commit-
tee on Higher Education presented Res. 6-11 (TB 129) to
the delegates, calling for the provision of graduate
school fellowships for potential faculty members. An
amendment to substitute the words, “WHEREAS, Our
Synod maintains graduate schools at St. Louis, Fort
Wayne, River Forest, and Seward which offer accred-
ited advanced degrees” for the third whereas, and to
change “school” to “schools” in line 55 (TB 129) was
declined. The resolution was then adopted as presented.
After hearing from President Glenn O’Shoney of the
Texas District, who stated reasons for the expansion,
and after some further discussion, Res. 6-12A (TB 195)
was adopted, granting Concordia College, Austin, Tex-
as, authorization to move to four-year status under the
guidance and direction of the Board for Higher Educa-
tion and the Board of Control of the college. The junior
year of the program at Austin is to be begun no earlier
than the fall term of 1980.

Reconsideration

A delegate who had voted on the prevailing side
during the passage of Res. 4-14 (TB 112) as amended
made a motion for reconsideration of the resolution with
particular reference to the amendment which required
the Board of Directors to implement a second faculty
salary adjustment retroactive to Feb. 1,1979. Acall fora
division of the house showed that the delegates by a vote
of 503 to 429 expressed their desire to do so. After
discussion and after agreeing to cease debate on the
amendment, they then declined it. Resolution 4-14 (TB
112) was then adopted as originally presented by the
committee.

Point of Privilege

The delegate who had moved for reconsideration
requested the privilege of making a motion which he felt
would deal adequately with similar situations in the
future. He was asked to refer his proposed resolution toa
committee for consideration before it was presented.

Higher Education

Resolution 6-13 (7B 130), calling for recognition and
encouragement of creative programs for church min-
istry, was adopted. In this resolution the colleges were
thanked for designing and establishing creative pro-
grams for special ministries, and the Board for Higher

Education in consultation with the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations was asked to study the
various emerging ministries of the church in order to
define and standardize their program of preparation.
Congregations of the Synod are to be alerted to the
various kinds of special ministries available to the
church and were encouraged to utilize these ministries
wherever possible for the proclamation of the Gospel.
By adopting Res. 6-14A (TB 195) the convention
directed the Board of Assignments to return to the
placement procedures for teacher candidates which
were in effect prior to May 1977 and requested it to
review its placement procedures for teacher candidates
and report to the 1981 convention. A call fora division of
the house showed that this resolution had been adopted
by a vote of 530 to 296.

Point of Privilege

Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, president of Concordia Sem-
inary, St. Louis, was granted a point of privilege to
address the convention, expressing his concern about
the action taken by the convention in its reconsidera-
tion of Res. 4-14 (7B 112). He stated that it was his view,
as well as that of other presidents of higher educational
institutions of the Synod, that the problem of faculty
salaries still remained unsolved. A proposed resolution
which was offered by a delegate at this point was
referred to Committee 12 after brief discussion.

Higher Education

Following this action the delegates adopted Res. 6-15
(7B 131), which asked the Districts concerned with
urban ministry to secure appropriate funds for the
establishment of vicarages and teaching internships in
urban parishes and schools. An amendment offered
after this resolution was adopted, calling for the fund-
ing of 10 such vicarages, was declined. Since the
director of Christian education is an approved ministry
of the Synod and it is therefore appropriate to include
colloquy procedures towards becoming directors of Chris-
tian education, the responsibility of implementing and
supervising the colloquy program for this office was
assigned to the Colloquy Board for the Teaching Min-
istry, and the necessary Bylaws were adopted (Res. 6-
17A, TB 196). By adopting Res. 6-18A (TB 197) Bylaw
6.53 b of the Handbook was changed to allow for the
development of a list of approved potential faculty
members for initial appointment at institutions of
higher education of the Synod. After inserting the word
“continued” between the words “the” and “provision”
on line 37 (TB 134), the Floor Committee on Higher
Education introduced Res. 6-20 (TB 134), calling for an
intensification of recruitment efforts for church voca-
tions. This resolution was adopted as presented. By
adopting it the convention asked that each pastor,
teacher, parish worker, and parishioner pray for the
success of recruitment efforts as well as carry on
intensified personal efforts for enlisting capable, dedi-
cated people into church vocations. It also urged the
Board for Higher Education to assign a high priority to

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