# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S45
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
introductory comments by the committee. During discussion, an amendment to change “may” in the last resolve to
“be encouraged to” was agreed to by the committee. Upon
question of the chair, the assembly agreed to cease debate
(Yes: 1,007; No: 66), and Res. 8-04 was adopted as changed
(Yes: 1,054; No: 35). The following delegates asked to have
their negative votes recorded in the minutes: Stanley Abraham, James W. Hallerberg.
Res. 8-05A, “To Encourage the Study of CTCR Documents Relating to Public Rebuke of Public Sin” (TB, pp.
290–291), was read in its entirety and introduced by the
committee. During discussion that followed, the committee
agreed to replace the word “recognize” in the first resolve
with the word “affirm” and to add the words “and to Amend
the Synod’s Bylaws Relating to Matthew 18” to the title of
the resolution. When a lengthy amendment was offered expressing concern regarding the ecclesiastical supervisory
responsibility of district presidents (TB, p. 377), the chair
was supported in his ruling that the amendment was not
germane to Res. 8-05A (Yes: 732; No: 287). When the chair
asked the assembly whether it was ready to end debate, the
assembly agreed (Yes: 904; No: 147), and the resolution was
adopted as changed (Yes: 950; No: 122). The following delegates asked to have their negative votes recorded in the
minutes: Steven W. Bohler, Mark Eckert, Charles Henkel,
Harold King, Wendel K. Marotzke, Bruce A. Nathan,
Ron Ohnesorge, Davin Quiram, Paul Weber, Jim Wiese.
Committee 5: Seminary and University Education
After attention was called to Res. 5-03A (TB, pp. 194–195)
and the presidents of the Synod’s seminaries spoke in support, the resolution was introduced by the committee. During
discussion, an amendment was offered to insert a new #5
under Bylaw 3.8.2.5.2, “5. Appointed members may not vote
on the appointment of other members of the Board.” The committee agreed to this amendment initially but changed its
mind, leaving the amendment for the assembly to decide.
When the Commission on Constitutional Matters asked for
time to consider the amendment, debate continued on the
main motion. After the commission reported that the amendment would affect other appointed members of the board such
as the officers of the Synod, discussion continued until the Orders of the Day prompted the chair to ask whether the assembly was ready to terminate debate on the amendment.
After the assembly voted to cease debate (Yes: 860; No: 69),
the amendment was adopted (Yes: 471; No: 467). When asked
whether it was ready to end debate on the amended motion,
the assembly ended debate (Yes: 832; No: 106), and Res. 503A was adopted as amended (Yes: 742; No: 214). The following delegates asked to have their negative votes recorded in
the minutes: Benjamin Ball, William Keith Davis, Mark Eckert, Daniel G. Holthus, Kenneth Howes, Robert Jahns, Bryan
Lindemood, Timothy D. May, David Teigen, Paul Weber.
Bible Study
The chair called on convention chaplain Dean Wenthe
to introduce Dr. David Buegler, former Ohio District President and current Fifth Vice-President of the Synod, to provide the final Bible study of the convention. Focusing his
study on Acts 3 and 4, he used the verbiage of two favorite

45

hymns to lead the delegates in a study of “One Message—
Christ! A Message of Love to a Desperate People.”
Committee 4: Program and Finance
Res. 4-16, “To Hold 2010 Convention in Houston, Texas”
(TB, p. 245) was introduced by the committee. The committee asked that “and with the recommendation of” be inserted after “Meeting Planning”; that “Synod’s” be inserted
before “Board of Directors”; that “recommends to the 2007
convention that” be deleted; and that the word “will” be inserted in the final line before the words “be held in Houston, Texas.” After a motion to terminate debate was carried
(Yes: 809; No: 97), Res. 4-16 with changes offered by the
committee was adopted (Yes: 805; No: 118).
Res. 4-10, “To Encourage Funding for Center for Hispanic Studies” (TB, p. 89), was introduced by the committee
and was adopted without discussion (Yes: 837; No: 74).
Committee chairman Keith Kohlmeier announced that his
committee would yield the balance of its allotted time to
the chair for use at his discretion. The members of Floor Committee 4 were thanked for their service to the convention.
Committee 6: Human Care
Res. 6-04A, “To Encourage and Assist Congregations to
Respond to the Ministry Needs of the Immigrants in Their
Midst” (TB, pp. 197–198), was introduced by the committee. During the discussion that followed, the committee
agreed to change #3 of the resolve to read, “Encourage
Board for Human Care Ministries to provide legal and
counseling services to undocumented immigrants responding to legislation enabling them to become residents and
citizens.” After a motion to amend the resolution by striking #3 in the resolve, new wording was proposed for #3:
“Encourage the Board for Human Care Ministries to assist
congregations by providing information regarding legal and
counseling services possibly needed by undocumented immigrants responding to legislation enabling them to become
residents and citizens.” The chair asked the assembly
whether it was ready to terminate debate (Yes: 766; No:
148). The motion to amend the resolution by deleting #3 in
the resolve failed (Yes: 393; No: 526). After a motion to end
debate was carried (Yes: 783; No: 142), Res. 6-04A with the
new wording for #3 of the resolve was adopted (Yes: 744;
No: 204). The following delegate asked to have his negative
vote recorded in the minutes: Tom Schenks.
Board for Human Care Ministries Executive Director
Matthew Harrison was given opportunity to introduce Rev.
Wilhelm Torgerson, Director of the International Lutheran
Welcome Center in Wittenberg, Germany.
Res. 6-07, “To Include People with Disabilities in All Aspects of the Church’s Life” (TB, pp. 118–119), was introduced by the committee. After discussion, the chair asked
the assembly whether it was ready to vote on the resolution (Yes: 847; No: 76). Debate ended, and Res. 6-07 was
adopted (Yes: 926; No: 13).
Committee 7: Planning and Administration
Res. 7-10A, “To Amend Bylaws 1.9 and 3.9.3 Pertaining
to Doctrinal Review Process” (TB, pp. 285–289), was introduced by the committee, reading only the lines that in2007 Convention Proceedings