# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S240 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 240 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION President Mueller is a man of God whose heart is motivated by the Gospel. In difficult situations his approach is not first to find some rule or law to settle the matter. He attempts to seek resolu- tion on the basis of God’s love in Christ Jesus. In addition to this Gospel motivation President Mueller exhibits a heart attuned to the needs of people. His concern is that his ac- tions build up his brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. President Mueller is guided by a conscience that wrestles hon- estly with the issues. He first goes into the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, seeks the wisdom of those who have gone before us in the faith, consults with brothers and sisters who are his peers, and is open and forthright in his dealings with those who dis- agree with him. All of the above he undergirds with a deep love for the Lord’s church and our Synod. We are certain that these were the factors motivating President Mueller in his decision to participate in the wedding in question. We support him in that decision. We pray that this issue will be re- solved in a manner pleasing to our Lord. We appeal to the Synod to reassess its position in matters such as these so that further contro- versy will not weaken our fellowship. To that end may our Lord bless and guide our leaders. Good Shepherd Biloxi, MS 7-04 To Support District President Orval Mueller WHEREAS, The President of the Southern District, Rev. Orval Mueller, has been censured by the synodical President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) for participating in a familial wedding with a clergy member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who teaches at the ELCA Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; and WHEREAS, The synodical President, in consultation with the Praesidium, has considered this practice to be unionistic without providing any evidence that such participation was a denial of truth or acceptance of error, the traditional definition of unionism in the historical writings of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and WuerEas, The ELCA clergy member in question maintains his communicant membership in a church of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod; he has held membership in LCMS congregations consistently since his Baptism, 65 years ago; he is employed by the Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., a seminary of the ELCA, as a professor of history; and WHEREAS, The synodical President and the Praesidium of the LCMS have not shown how two Lutheran clergy, both of whom hold membership in congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod, are in a unionistic relationship at a familial wedding of their niece; and WHEREAS, The local LCMS congregation in Watertown, South Dak., voted to allow this wedding to take place with both Lutheran clergy, who are the bride’s uncles, participating; a valid and pre- cious prerogative guaranteed by the Constitution of the LCMS to its congregations (cf: Art. VII of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod); and WHEREAS, Overtures have been sent to the convention request- ing the synodical President to continue disciplinary action against District President Mueller, including removal from his office as District President, if necessary; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled, request from the synodical President and the Praesidium further explana- tion and clarification why Rev. Mueller’s censure was deemed jus- tifiable and subject to further discipline; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled request the Council of Presidents (COP) to address with greater clarity the pa- rameters in which families within the Synod may participate with other Lutherans, especially if all parties involved are members of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregations, in such famil- ial events as weddings and funerals. St. Paul Fort Lauderdale, FL 7-05 To Support President of Synod in His Role as Chief Executive Officer and Supervisor of District Presidents WHEREAS, The President of the Synod is entrusted with the re- sponsibility of supervision for the doctrine and the administration of all District Presidents (Art. XI B 1); and WHEREAS, “It is the President’s duty to see to it that all the aforementioned act in accordance with the Synod’s Constitution, to admonish all who in any way depart from it, and if such admo- nition is not heeded, to report such cases to the Synod” (Art. XI B 2); and WHEREAS, The President of the Synod is designated as “the chief executive officer of the Synod” (Bylaw 3.101 a); and WHEREAS, The role of the District Presidents has dramatically increased in authority and importance in recent years; and WHEREAS, The Constitution and Bylaws do not currently spec- ify procedures through which the President of the Synod may ef- fectively carry out his duties in the supervision of District Presi- dents; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod, in convention assembled, support the President of the Synod in his role as chief executive officer and su- pervisor of the District Presidents and their functions; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That the President of the Synod be given the authority in his duties in this area comparable to the District Presidents’ cur- rent authority to restrict and suspend synodical members under their ecclesiastical supervision; and be it finally Resolved, That the President of the Synod be instructed to care- fully and lovingly follow these instructions. Mount Hope Casper, WY To Give Synodical President Authority “to Remove District Presidents from Office Wuereas, “A District is the Synod itself performing the func- tions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.07 a); and WuerEAS, A District President does “regularly report to the President of Synod” (Bylaw 4.71 b; cf., Bylaw 3.101 b); and WHEREAS, The President of Synod is charged with “supervision regarding the doctrine and administration of ... all District Presi- dents” (Constitution, Art. XI B 1 d); and WHEREAS, An objective of Synod is to “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith” (Constitution, Art. IIT 1); and WHEREAS, There need to be checks and balances so that District Presidents do not use their power to suspend pastors or congrega- tions in a tyrannous fashion; and WueEreEAas, The District Presidents should behave in a manner that is an example to the members of their Districts and to others as St. Paul states in 1 Tim. 2:7: “Moreover he (the Bishop, in this case the D.P.) must have a good testimony among those who are out- side, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil”; and WHEREAS, Some District Presidents have not acted according to these guidelines, in violation of the doctrinal and constitutional po- sition of the Synod. This is wrong because it is a violation of the scriptural and confessional position of the LCMS and is a violation of their oath of office to support and carry out the Constitution, By- . laws, and resolutions of the Synod; therefore be it