LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 50

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50 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Administration

Chairman Alvin Kollmann of the Floor Committee
on Administration introduced Res. 4-19 (TB 114) to the
convention after changing the title of the resolution to
read, “To Decline Overture on Investments in Mission
Properties.” Since they agreed that the supervision of
mission congregations, subsidies, loans, and loan re-
payments are generally under the jurisdiction of Dis-
trict Boards of Directors and that business and legal
involvements in such matters should generally not be
dealt with at the synodical level, the delegates agreed
that Overture 4-44 (CW 149) should be declined and
adopted the resolution. After adding the words “and
District” in lines 28 and 33 after the word “synodical,”
the convention adopted Res. 4-20 (TB 114) and resolved
that the salary grid scale of all synodical and District
officials, staff, and faculty members should be made
available upon request from the Administrative Officer
of the synodical Board of Directors. It adopted Res. 4-21
(TB 114), which recommended that action on auxiliary
status for Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ be post-
poned until the Task Force recommendations have been
considered. After considering Res. 4-22 (TB 114), which
asked that future funding for “Effectiveness Training
for Lutherans” (ETL) for parents, teachers, and pastors
be provided, the delegates resolved instead, “That we
refer this resolution to the CTCR for doctrinal review of
the theological philosophy of ETL and then require the
Board of Parish Education to ask the Board of Directors
for their approval before any moneys are appropriated
by the Board of Parish Education.” Since the publica-
tion of a journal by a synodical seminary does not have
official synodical status or supervision and is the fiscal
responsibility of the school and not a separate budget
responsibility of the Board of Directors, they agreed
that Overture 4-46 (CW 149), calling for the subsidizing
of theological journals, should be declined (Res. 4-23, TB
115). By adoption of Res. 4-24 (TB1 15) they also declined
an overture which asked that mailing of the Concordia
Theological Quarterly to overseas missionaries be sub-
sidized. After changing the title of Res. 4-25 (TB 115) to
read, ‘To Ratify Action re Full-Time Position for Trea-
surer,” the committee introduced the resolution for
discussion. By adoption of this resolution the conven-
tion ratified the action of the Board of Directors which
recognized the office of the Treasurer of the Synod asa
full-time salaried position. After adding the report of the
synodical President found in Today’s Business, pages
211—220 to its list of reports to be received, the commit-
tee introduced Res. 4-27 (TB 116). By adoption of the
resolution the convention agreed to receive these re-
ports. In adopting Res. 4-26A (TB 253) it agreed that
because of some lack of clarity regarding the need for
executive committees of synodical boards and because
the Board of Directors has referred the question of
executive committees to the Task Force, no formal
executive committees should be established through the
Bylaws until the Task Force recommendations are dealt
with, and that until this has occurred each board and
commission may designate a committee consisting of

two or more members of that board or commission to
have and exercise its authority when necessary. In
adopting Res. 4-29 (TB 254) the delegates agreed that
because of confusion generated by the name of the
“Concordia Welfare Plan” the Board of Managers—
Worker Benefit Plans should be authorized to study,
recommend, and/or implement plans to rename this
Plan and report its findings and actions to the 1981
convention of the Synod. With the adoption of this
resolution the work of the Floor Committee on Admini-
stration was declared completed.

Parish Services

Dr. Victor Constien, Executive Secretary of the
Board of Parish Education, reminded the delegates that
this is the “Year of the Child.” He introduced Joanne
Eisenberg, who has been spearheading the work related
to a proper observance of it. She in turn introduced the
Christ Community Choir, consisting of kindergarten
children under the direction of Margaret Glasgow. The
choir sang several numbers, one of them in four differ-
ent langauges. John Speckhard, curriculum publishing
planner at Concordia Publishing House, informed the
delegates of a survey which had been conducted during
the past year for the purpose of identifying the out-
standing vacation Bible school. From a number of
possibilities St. Michael Lutheran Church of Talla-
hassee, Fla., had been selected. This is a church of 56
communicant members, with 110 enrolled in its vaca-
tion Bible school, 80 of whom are from unchurched
homes. Arlon Rueter, editor of vacation Bible school
materials, presented a citation to Dr. Ben Eggers,
education executive of the Florida-Georgia District,
recognizing St. Michael Lutheran Church. A painting
depicting the art theme for the 1978 vacation Bible
school materials was also presented to President L.
Lloyd Behnken of the Florida-Georgia District. These
presentations brought the work of the Floor Committee
on Parish Services to completion.

Awards

Mr. Wilbur Tewes, president of the Lutheran Educa-
tion Association, was introduced to the delegates. In his
remarks he described the practice of the association in
presenting an annual award to one or more outstanding
teachers. The “Christus Magister” award was then
presented to Walter Bleke, of St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth,
Mich., for his outstanding work and to Dr. Arthur
Ahlschwede, Executive Secretary of the Board forH igh-
er Education, who was described as “Mr. Higher Educa-
tion.” Both men responded briefly, expressing their
thanks for the opportunity to serve their Lord together
with many faithful and dedicated colleagues.

Recognition

President Preus gave special recognition to Carl
Muhlenbruch, a retiring member of the Board of Direc-
tors of the Synod, who unfortunately was absent be
cause of his wife’s illness, for his work and recognized
the contributions which had been made by other past

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