# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) (TB, 1:84–85), was read and introduced by the committee. It was moved and seconded to postpone the resolution until the next convention; this was ruled out of order. It was subsequently moved and seconded to refer the matter to the President’s Office for further study of the relationship of the two other partner churches in South Africa with CLCSA. After discussion by the assembly—during which Commission on Theology and Church Relations Chairman Lawrence Rast described the past decade’s work regarding the relationship of these three South African church bodies as a “long, arduous, and very fruitful process” and clarified the nature of this resolution as recognizing fellowship in doctrine and practice rather than creating it—the question on referral was called [Yes: 793; No: 87] and the motion to refer failed [Yes: 229; No: 679]. Thereupon it was moved and carried to close debate on the resolution [Yes: 793; No: 108]. Res. 5-03 was adopted [Yes: 741; No: 161] and the common doxology was sung. CLCSA Bishop Mandala Khumalo spoke words of appreciation for this resolution, of his personal “coming home” to the Missouri Synod” and strong words of assurance that he and his church body would be a strong partner with the Synod’s two other partner churches in South Africa, enhancing, working with, listening to, and “strengthening [them] to make confessional Lutheranism even stronger in the region,” to “win more souls for the kingdom of God.” Responding to the bishop’s speech, a delegate moved that the previous vote be affirmed with the saying of “Yea, yea, it shall be so,” and it was so. Res. 5-10, “To Commend the Lutheran Church—Canada CTCR Report Cremation and the Christian” (TB, 1:91), was read and introduced by the committee. There being objection to the chair’s suggestion to proceed to the main motion, the resolution went to debate but this was shortly closed [Yes: 840; No: 60]; the resolution was adopted [Yes: 828; No: 84]. Res. 5-11, “To Address Questions about Unity in Doctrine and Uniformity and Variety in Practice” (TB, 1:91), was read and introduced by the committee. After discussion, closure of debate was moved and carried; the resolution was also adopted on a voice vote. A special order was moved and seconded to bring Res. 918, “To Recognize That the Holy Spirit Has Free Course in Synod Elections” (TB, 5:387–88), at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday; the special order failed of adoption [Yes: 429; No: 431]. Committee 6: Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries Chairman John Hill took a moment to introduce the members of his committee before resuming consideration of Res. 6-03A, “To Enhance the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program” (TB, 2B:264–65), previously introduced in Session 6. It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution by adding to Res. 6-03A the third resolve of Res. 6-03 (TB, 1:96), as follows: Resolved, That the provisions of the SMP program as outlined in 2007 Res. 5-01B be modified to require students enrolling in the SMP programs after the 2020 Minutes academic year to finish all academic requirements of the SMP program before ordination and placement on the minister of religion–ordained roster of the Synod; and be it further After discussion, it was moved and seconded to close debate on the amendment; this carried [Yes: 883; No: 29]. The amendment failed [Yes: 304; No: 617]. There being objection to proceeding to a vote on the main motion, closure of debate was moved, seconded, and carried [Yes: 782; No: 127], whereupon Res. 6-03A was adopted as presented [Yes: 643; No: 272]. Res. 6-04, “To Support, Encourage, and Expect Continuing Education for all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Pastors” (TB, 1:96–97), was read and introduced by the committee. After discussion by the assembly, debate was closed by voice vote and the motion also carried by voice vote. Session 8 Wednesday p.m., July 24, 2019 Commemoration of the Faithful Departed The Rev. Peter K. Lange, president of the LCMS Kansas District, served as preacher and Chaplain William Weedon, as liturgist, in the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, with Heb. 13:7–16 as the text. Cantor Phillip Magness, soloists Esther Engwall and Monique Nunes, flutist Colton LaMay, and trumpeters Greg Dunn and Alan Stegeman provided accompaniment. [The entire text of Rev. Lange’s sermon is printed elsewhere in these 2019 Convention Proceedings.] Committee 12: Retention: Schools, Family, Youth, and Young Adults Res. 12-05A, “To Take Further Steps in the Retention of College-Age Students in Synod Congregations” (TB, 2B:294– 95), was read and introduced by the committee. After discussion by the assembly, calling of the question succeeded by voice vote and the resolution was also adopted by voice vote. Res. 12-02A, “To Exhort the Congregations of the LCMS to Actively Encourage Future Lutheran School Teachers” (TB, 2B:291), was read and introduced by the committee. It was moved and seconded to amend by adding a resolve as follows: Resolved, That Synod work to increase the Lutheran identity of our schools by providing scholarships to enable non-rostered teachers to complete teacher colloquy through the CUEnet program. It was moved, seconded, and carried to close debate on the amendment [Yes: 804; No: 60] and the amendment was adopted [Yes: 656; No: 269]. At the orders of the day, debate on the resolution was closed and Res. 12-02A was adopted as amended, both by voice votes. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 45