LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 62

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

62 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

the rather careless and ill-considered establishment of
partner-church status without giving due thought to all
of the details and ramifications. In the case of a church
body as large as this one, with the tremendous opportu-
nities that lie before it not only in the great country of
Brazil but throughout all of Latin America, we cannot
afford to be careless or lackadaisical. We need to do this
properly, carefully, and with much consultation from
both sides. I say this, having said the same to our dear
brethren in Brazil. I think the Brazil District has set an
example for the entire church, including all of the other
partner churches. They have done a fantastic job, and I
believe they should have this status if this is their
desire. On the other hand, in establishing a new church
we do not want to make mistakes, and therefore we must
proceed with very great care.

Related to this are resolutions pertaining to the
establishment of partner-church status for our brothers
and sisters in Canada. A report has been given to you.
The fact of the matter is that virtually all of the enabling
resolutions permitting the Canadians to proceed have
long since been passed in previous conventions of the
Synod. But I do believe that the Canadians, like the
Brazilians, should be encouraged to establish their own
identity as a Canadian Lutheran Church.

Relations between our two countries, the increase of
nationalism in Canada, the great future which stretches
before that great country, as well as the fact that the
Canadian work has always been considered rather
secondary on the part of this predominantly U.S.A.-
oriented church—all seem to me to argue for the fact
that we should encourage our Canadian brethren to
proceed in studying and planning for the development
of an indigenous Lutheran Church—Canada, compris-
ing our three Canadian Districts, together with those
members of the Minnesota North District, the SELC,
and the English District that are located in Canada.
This is not a matter for immediate action at this
convention, but there are certain directions to be set,
and it appears to me, after consultation with the
President and the Board of Directors of the Lutheran
Church—Canada and the Presidents of our three Dis-
tricts, as well as in view of the resolution by those
Districts, that this is the direction that our Canadian
brethren wish to go. We have always encouraged this
Stateside, and it would appear that this is the direction
it ought to take.

IV. Administration

The members of Committee 4, who also serve on
Committee 2, will be considering a number of overtures
on the Synod’s retirement plan and related matters. The
committee would be well advised to seek information
and assistance from the Board of Managers of the
Worker Benefit Plans in dealing with these concerns.
Mr. Earl Haake, Administrator of the Plans, stands
ready to assist them.

Various requests for subsidies, increasing faculty
salaries, are also on their agenda. Committee 4 will also
review the report of the Board of Directors.

V. Constitution

Committee 5, which is a part of Committee 2, has
before it a number of overtures having to do with
elections, voting rights, and limiting terms of office.
This committee will review the work of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters. I think that the Special
Committee on Synodical Membership which was cre-
ated at the Dallas convention to deal with dual member-
ship deserves commendation, and I would request that
Committee 5 draft the appropriate resolution. In con-
nection with this it might interest you to know that the
Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, a group
which was formed as a result of the recent controversy,
attracted 182 Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con-
gregations and 46 smaller.segments from Missouri
congregations. In addition, 19 declared themselves
independent of the Synod, 11 joined The American
Lutheran Church, and 5 joined the Lutheran Church in
America. The defections seem to have come to a halt.

VI. Higher Education

We now turn to the assignment given to Committee
6. Higher Education has always been given prominence
throughout the history of our church body. The phil-
osophy and structure called “the system” has under-
gone little change. The intention at the very beginning
of the Synod was to utilize fully the schools for general
and Christian education. It was never to limit enroll-
ment only to potential full-time church workers. Pre-
sently 41% of the students at the college level are in the
general education programs. (This would be 35% if the
seminary students are excluded.) We face a serious
question here. Should the colleges, while maintaining
their role as primarily preprofessional, move toward
more general education? It is my opinion that by
maintaining synodical ownership, the present method
of electing boards of control members and faculties, the
prescribed course in religion, regular chapel services,
and predominantly Lutheran faculties, and by contin-
uing synodical subsidy at the highest possible level,
particularly for preprofessional work, we can do both.
These schools are valuable gifts of God; so are dedicated
Lutheran faculties. I think we should try to retain all of
our schools, allowing them if possible to attain four-year
status. We should talk of closing them only when the
local constituents fail to use them.

For more detailed information I would call your
attention to the Report of the Board for Higher Educa-
tion. The portions entitled “History,” “Realities,” and
“Postulates” are especially enlightening. A few facts
stand out. Studies indicate that a reasonable estimate of
total school capacity is 9,500 students, excluding
Edmonton. The enrollment on the 14 campuses for the
past school year was roughly 6,500. Studies also show
that a minimum enrollment of 500—600 is needed if an
institution is to operate efficiently.

While we are most grateful to almighty God for
granting us the marked increase in students studying
for the holy ministry, particularly at Concordia Semi-
nary, St. Louis, and at St. Catharines, Ontario, we are

\
|
i
i
i
‘
: