# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S43 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Res. 6-03A, “To Enhance the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program” (TB, 2B:264–65), was read and introduced by the committee, and the Pastoral Formation Committee expressed, through Chief Mission Officer Kevin Robson, its support. The chair, noting the orders of the day, inquired of delegates and found they desired debate; the resolution was left pending, to be taken up upon the return of Committee 6. Responsive Prayer I Committee 3: Mercy Matins The chair called upon English District President Jamison Hardy, Committee 3 Chairman, to begin his committee’s presentation. He did so with an introductory video. The Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe, Jr., LCMS Fourth VicePresident (Great Lakes Region), served as preacher and Chaplain William Weedon, as liturgist, in the Office of Matins, with Isaiah 12 as the text. Cantor Phillip Magness, pianist Cheryl Magness, and trumpeter Greg Dunn provided accompaniment. Res. 3-01, “To Commend and Give Thanks for the Work of Synod regarding Disaster Response” (TB, 1:61), was read and introduced by the committee. Without discussion, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 897; No: 7]. Res. 3-02A, “To Commend Lutherans for Life and LCMS Life Ministries” (TB, 2B:256–57), was read and introduced by the committee. Without objection, the word “from” was added to the second resolve, prior to the words “premature loss of life.” It was also proposed and received without objection, in the third-final resolve, to add after “life marches,” the words “and events.” It was moved to amend the first resolve to insert, after “legislative actions,” the words “which will result in a greater number of abortions and loss of innocent life” and, after “similar actions,” the words “which will protect more children from abortion.” The amendment was ruled out of order by the chair as not substantively modifying the resolution. After further discussion by the assembly, closure of debate was moved and seconded, and carried [Yes: 935; No: 27]. Res. 3-02A was adopted as modified [Yes: 951; No: 19]. Res. 3-04A, “To Encourage Training of Our Pastors, Church Workers and Congregations to Recognize and Provide Pastoral Care for Those Suffering from Clinical Depression, Mental Illnesses, and Other Mental Disorders” (TB, 2B:258), was read and introduced by the committee. It was suggested after some discussion to substitute “mental illness” for “mental health” in the second resolve; this carried [Yes: 822; No: 90]. It was subsequently suggested, without objection, to insert “illness” before “health and wellness” in the first resolve. It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution’s seventh whereas by striking the words “mental illness or a mental disorder has” and inserting instead “severe mental illnesses are biological brain disorders which have.” During discussion on the amendment, the orders of the day were called; the chair put close of debate on the amendment to a vote; this carried [Yes: 810; No: 107]. The amendment failed [Yes: 99; No: 836]. The chair put the closure of debate on the resolution before the body; this carried [Yes: 777; No: 120] and Res. 3-04A was adopted as amended [Yes: 794; No: 150]. Minutes Chaplain William Weedon led the convention in the Order of Responsive Prayer (I), with the text, Rom. 12:9–13; Cantor Magness provided accompaniment. Session 7 Wednesday a.m., July 24, 2019 [The entire text of Dr. Wohlrabe’s sermon is printed elsewhere in these 2019 Convention Proceedings.] Greetings—Lutheran Women’s Missionary League President Harrison, calling the convention to order, welcomed Debbie Larson, newly elected president of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML, a.k.a. Lutheran Women in Mission) and a delegate to the convention. She shared a bit about what the almost 80,000 “selfless women” of the LWML “accomplish by the grace of God and in Jesus’ name” through mission education, mission inspiration, mission service, and mission grants. She also noted the organization’s recently concluded convention, held in Mobile, Ala., and outlined its $2.1 million 2019–2021 mission goal. “The women of the LWML are Joy:fully Lutheran,” she concluded. “This is most certainly true!” Greetings—Lutheran Hour Ministries The chair welcomed Kurt Buchholz, president of the Lutheran Laymen’s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries [LHM]). He shared a video on his organization’s SENT initiative. LHM “tirelessly equips believers to live out and share their faith with boldness in everyday life.” Buchholz thanked the delegates for their work, noted the Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, the new Lutheran Hour Speaker, and shared the organization’s excitement at more than doubling, from 50 million to more than 125 million, the number of people reached weekly by modern, mass media efforts around the world—many in areas generally closed to non-indigenous missionaries. The aim: to reach audiences disconnected from the Church, build a relationship through structured content, and draw them into a Christian community, offline, where their faith can deepen. Buchholz closed by asking the Lord’s blessings on LHM and all the people of the LCMS as they “bring Christ to the nations, and the nations to the Church.” Committee 13: Registrations, Credentials, and Elections President Harrison called upon Committee 13 Chairman Sailer to offer the registration report, which indicated that the number of registered voting delegates is unchanged at 1,076. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 43