# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S338 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 338 LIFE TOGETHER “To the Regents of CSL: I am pleased to report to the regents that in the course of significant conversations between President Meyer, Jeff Kloha, Daniel Preus and myself, professor Kloha has graciously heard critique of his paper and made numerous changes and omissions to increase clarity and greatly decrease concern. We find no false teaching in the revised paper. And we are very thankful to President Meyer and Professor Kloha for the clarity and humility demonstrated during these past months.” and Whereas, The Rev. President Harrison’s statement confirms that the Rev. Prof. Kloha “made changes and omissions to increase clarity and greatly decrease concern,” further confirming that a full revised paper exists by saying, “We find no false teaching in the revised paper,” yet a full presentation (nor an actual paper) by the Rev. Prof. Kloha, revealing his full revisions, has yet to be officially released; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention (for the sake of comforting conscience and ending all deliberation) kindly direct the Rev. Prof. Jefferey Kloha to make available to the public his fully revised paper in which he “made changes and omissions to increase clarity and greatly decrease concern” (with corrections revealed through highlighted added words and line-through removed words included within the revised paper) so that all those who have concerns can read what the Rev. Professor’s clarifications are, and, God willing, bring all concerns to not simply “decrease” but to be eliminated altogether. Grace San Mateo, CA 4-25 To Investigate Organization Named FiveTwo in Light of Synod Constitution Article II Whereas, The organization known as FiveTwo has LCMS clergy in leadership positions; and Whereas, More than one LCMS district has invited FiveTwo to speak at conferences and conventions; and Whereas, The public practices and teachings of FiveTwo are at the very least confusing when considered with historic Lutheran teachings; therefore be it Resolved, That a full investigation of the beliefs and practices of the organization FiveTwo be conducted by an appointed task force of the Synod President; and be it further Resolved, That until such investigation is concluded a moratorium on the promotion or involvement of FiveTwo at districts of the Synod be in effect; and be it finally Resolved, That the investigation either recommend the continued promotion and involvement of FiveTwo or forbid the organization to be used at districts of the Synod. Our Savior Cheyenne, WY 4-26 To Require Super-Majority Votes to Adopt Convention Resolutions Whereas, The psalmist (Ps. 133:1) prays, “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity”; and Whereas, The Spirit-breathed apostolic teaching (1 Cor. 1:10) exhorts “that all of you agree with one another, so that there may be 2016 Convention Workbook no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united in word and thought”; and Whereas, Christ Jesus Himself prays that those who bear His name may be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:11); therefore be it Resolved, That any resolution that lacks the support of threefourths (75 percent) of the delegates voting shall be returned to the church for further study, conversation, and prayer. Concordia Kingsport, TN 4-27 To Form Task Force to Foster and Further Collaboration in Lutheran Ministry, Education, and Mission Preamble The Atlantic District continues to be in the forefront and serve as a model for the greater LCMS of collaboratively engaging an increasingly urban, pluralistic, and multicultural cultural milieu with the unchanging Gospel of hope in Jesus Christ. Given the diverse context and the financial concerns arising from the rise of secularism and religious non-affiliation (the so-called “nones”) in North American society, collaboration and cohesion in Lutheran (LCMS) ministry, education, and mission, as guided by the elected leadership of the entire Synod in the COP, will prove essential to the ongoing call of the church to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). Whereas, The Spirit has called us together by the Gospel and gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith (Small Catechism, explanation of the Third Article); and Whereas, As one Body of Christ in many members (Rom. 12:4), we serve God and our neighbors in manifold ministries (LCMS congregations, schools, universities, institutions, etc.); and Whereas, North American society continues to become increasingly secular and pluralistic, and the Synod’s ministries, churches, schools and universities, districts, and institutions of all kinds face daunting financial pressures and existential realities; and Whereas, Collaboration is then needed in the Synod to address and promote best practices in authentically Lutheran ministry, mission, and education; therefore be it Resolved, That in the midst of pluralism, secularism, and financial constraints, and as we are called by Christ to be one Body in many members, the Council of Presidents form a task force to address opportunities and propose strategies for establishing and maintaining increased collaboration among congregations, schools, seminaries, colleges and universities, and institutions of the Synod as together we engage the world with the Gospel of hope in Jesus Christ; and be it further Resolved, That the proposed task force present its findings and recommendations on collaboration in ministry, education, and mission to the 2019 Synod convention. Atlantic District