# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S49 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Res. 2-07, “To Strengthen and Encourage the Partnership of our Congregations in International Mission through the Board for International Mission” (TB, 1:58–59), was read and introduced by the committee. Chairman Lange stressed that this resolution does not deal with short-term missionaries or have in mind the work of auxiliaries or recognized service organizations, and that it is the committee’s carefully considered response to the many overtures received related to Bylaw 3.8.3. “The issues under consideration here are not just about one bylaw, but about the way we live, work, and walk together as a Synod. Because our Synod is a balance of what we, the congregations of the Synod, do independently, and what we do together.” Noting 1 Cor. 12:12–20, the analogy of members in the body of Christ, Lange noted the 125-year history of Synod “sending and supporting foreign missionaries, as we’ve been celebrating during this convention. And even as we give thanks for how richly the Lord has blessed us during these 125 years, so we look forward to an even more expansive future, as a result of our walk together.” After discussion, closure of debate was moved, seconded and carried [Yes: 643; No: 110]. The resolution was adopted [Yes: 694; No: 89]. Res. 2-09, “To Encourage and Support International Theological Education by the Synod and Our Seminaries in Aid of World Lutheran Churches” (TB, 1:59–60), was read and introduced by the committee. Without objection, the resolution was put to an immediate voice vote and carried. Res. 2-10, “To Commend the Lutheran Heritage Foundation on its 25th Anniversary” (TB, 1:60), was read and introduced by the committee. Without objection, the resolution was put to an immediate voice vote and carried. Responsive Prayer I Chaplain William Weedon led the convention in Corporate Confession and Absolution and then the Order of Responsive Prayer (I), with the text, Eph. 4:32—5:2; Cantor Magness and trumpeters Greg Dunn and Alan Stegeman provided accompaniment. Session 9 Thursday a.m., July 25, 2019 Matins The Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray, LCMS Second VicePresident (West-Southwest Region), served as preacher and Chaplain William Weedon, as liturgist, in the Office of Matins, with Mark 10:35–45 as the text. Cantor Phillip Magness provided accompaniment. [The entire text of Dr. Murray’s sermon is printed elsewhere in these 2019 Convention Proceedings.] The President, in the chair, opened the session with apologies to two delegates whose motions were handled curtly the day before. He spoke personally of the recent death of his brother and his family’s profound and joyful thankfulness for his brother’s return to the church, for the service of LCMS pastors to him, but noted that such joy is for Minutes his family set in ongoing grief. “That’s the way it’s always going to be with Selma.” Harrison recalled Rom. 5:1–5 and Luther’s preaching on John 15: the Father, the Vinedresser, continues to prune and put around manure—to which we might object—but through it he blesses. “We won’t see the fruit of this pain maybe for a long time…but the Lord is at work through the fallible church.” The chair called the body’s attention to Special Standing Rule 24, as it pertains to the last day of the convention and announced the order in which he intended to treat remaining business. Minutes It was moved, seconded, and carried, without discussion and by voice vote, to adopt the minutes of Wednesday’s Sessions 6 and 7. Committee 11: Church and Culture Committee 11 Chairman Terry Forke was called up to continue for his committee and did so with the words of Rom. 8:38–39. Res. 11-06A, “To Emphasize the Sanctity of Life and the Dangers of Physician-Assisted Suicide” (TB, 2B:288–89), was read and introduced by the committee. Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate voice vote, by which the resolution was adopted. Res. 11-07A, “To Remember the Persecuted Church” (TB, 2B:289–90), was read and introduced by the committee. Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate voice vote, by which the resolution was adopted. Thereafter, its work being concluded, the committee was dismissed with thanks and the President offered prayer for persecuted Christians. Committee 1: National Witness Committee 1 Chairman Lee Hagan was called up to continue his committee’s presentation. Res. 1-05A, “To Strengthen Multi-Ethnic Outreach” (TB, 2B:254), was read and introduced by the committee, with the addition of the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center to the list of programs in the final resolve. Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate voice vote, by which the resolution was adopted. Res. 1-06A, “To Support Marriage, Life, and Family” (TB, 2B:255), was read and introduced by the committee. Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate voice vote, by which the resolution was adopted. With its work concluded, Committee 1 was dismissed with thanks. Committee 4: Life Together Committee 4 Chairman Allan Buss was called up to continue his committee’s presentation. Res. 4-05, “To Commend the Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 2022” (TB, 1:71–72), was read and introduced by the committee. Without PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 49