# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S10 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 10 SYNODICAL REPORTS Additional Items from the 2001 Convention Renewal in Missouri Sometime ago, I asked the CTCR to assess the situation with Renewal In Missouri and to make a recommendation to the 2004 convention. The recommendation of the CTCR on this matter is in- cluded in its report to the convention. I commend the CTCR’s pro- posed action and encourage the convention to adopt the resolution the commission has prepared, with the prayer that this action will help bring this matter to a God-pleasing conclusion. LCMS/ELCA Pastoral Working Arrangements This assignment was given by the 2001 Convention to the Prae- sidium of the Synod (the President and five Vice-Presidents). The report of the Praesidium’s assignment to evaluate pastoral working arrangements with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is printed elsewhere in this workbook. I encourage the delegates to this convention to read it carefully and to respond positively to its recommendations. I also express appreciation to the Vice-Presi- dents for their diligent and exhaustive work in dealing with this very important matter. Presidential Participation in Events, Meetings, Conferences, etc. A summary of my participation in events, meetings, confer- ences, etc., is included below. I believe it is self-explanatory and provides the reader with a brief glimpse into the scope of responsi- bility of the person who occupies this office. President’s Activities Groups or Categories Number of Meetings, Events, etc. Boards, Committees, Commissions, Forums, Auxiliaries, etc. 115 Council of Presidents 13 District Conventions 25 District Pastors Conferences/ All Workers Conferences 20 Visits to Seminary, College, and University Campuses 23 Congregational Anniversaries, Dedications, etc. 47 Other Conferences, Miscellaneous Conventions, etc. 49 Miscellaneous Events—Out of town 41 Miscellaneous Meetings—St. Louis 79 Meetings with Individual Pastors, Lay, Staff, etc. Countless Visits from Current or Potential Partner Churches Australia Brazil Canada Haiti Hong Kong Japan Jordan Kenya Korea Russia SELK Shanghai Siberia Visits to Current and Prospective Partner Churches Argentina NEB HK NNHKH NHK NHS eK N 2004 Convention Workbook Bolivia Brazil Canada Chile Denmark England Finland France and Belgium Ghana Germany Hong Kong Ingria in Russia Japan Korea Latvia Lithuania Nigeria Paraguay South Africa Meetings with President George W. Bush Religious Leaders Consultation after 9/1 1—White House Human Cloning/Stem Cell Consultation—White House Religious Leaders Consultation—St. Louis National Day of Prayer—White House Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Signing—Reagan Building Total Miles Traveled (Approximate) 300,000+ MWNe ee eee ee NK ee eee WN Vision for the Future It is clear to me that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been richly blessed throughout the 157 years of its existence. Since 1847 the Word of God has been the light that lights our path along life’s way. As individuals we have been created by God, re- ceived into His kingdom through Holy Baptism, nourished and strengthened by His very presence within us, in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion. As a church body we have experienced periods of growth and decline during times of war and peace in our country and world. We have rejoiced in times of harmony and wept in times of controversy. We have discussed, debated, and disagreed. We have fought, failed, and forgiven. Most importantly, we have been forgiven through the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. There have been many times during these past three years when individuals in our Synod have expressed concern, doubt, and even pessimism regarding the future of the LCMS. I most certainly am acutely and painfully aware of the theological, financial, missio- logical, practical, and political challenges we face as a national church body in our rapidly changing world in the years ahead. At the same time, I am highly encouraged and most optimistic about the future of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in the decades to come! Here are the reasons for this positive perspective: * We have a system of Christian education at all levels—primary, elementary, secondary, collegiate, university, and seminary—that is the envy of Christian bodies throughout the world. While the educational enterprise faces significant financial challenges, I am truly thankful for the faithfulness, dedication, and commitment of the faculty and staff of all our schools, including the Concordia University System and its institutions! ¢ We have a mission focus and worldwide mission emphasis that has been actively involved for more than a century in bringing the precious Gospel of Christ to nations, people groups, tribes, and cultures literally around the world, resulting in untold num- bers of people being brought to faith in Jesus Christ. What a blessing our faithful, dedicated, self-sacrificing missionaries and mission staff have been and continue to be to our Lord’s church ‘and to our Synod!