# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S27
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Convention Minutes
Opening Worship Service
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Opening Divine Service with Holy Communion
The opening worship service of the 65th Regular Convention of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was held in the convention
hall of the America’s Center convention complex in downtown St.
Louis, Missouri. Under the theme of “Baptized for This Moment,”
the service was hosted by Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church of
Freeburg, Illinois, with Rev. Bruce Keseman presiding. The Council
of Presidents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, presidents
and bishops of LCMS partner churches, and local pastors of the
Synod’s Southern Illinois and Missouri Districts participated in
the service and distribution of the Sacrament.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the Synod,
preaching on the convention theme and Acts 2:37–41, reminded
the congregation that “those first-century Jews crucified Christ in
your name, in your stead.” He continued, “If you are not a hardboiled sinner just like the rest of us, then you might as well leave
right now, because Jesus is not for you. Jesus Himself said, you see,
‘I came not for the righteous who have no need to repent, but for
sinners.’ Baptized sinners, that’s what you are.”
“Let’s go on about our business here baptized,” he said to the
delegates. “Together we’re in the water, sink or swim. Now let’s
get about the business of getting the world wet. It’s all in the water.
We’re baptized for this moment.” [The full text of the sermon is
printed elsewhere in these 2013 Convention Proceedings.]

Session 1
Sunday a.m. July 21, 2013
Matins
Rev. Benjamin Ball led the assembly in the Order of Matins,
assisted by Cantor Phillip Magness and several instrumentalists.
Rev. Timothy Scharr, President of the Southern Illinois District
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, provided the homily,
leading the convention in marveling how the unique combination of events of Acts 16:25–34 were used by God for His purposes,
reminding that we also are “baptized for this moment” in unique
circumstances that God also has provided for His good purposes.

Convention Opening and Presentation of Gavel
President Matthew C. Harrison called the assembly to order
and called on Mr. Larry Lumpe, Executive Director of Concordia
Historical Institute, to present the historic gavel used by the chair
to call the convention officially to order “in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In presenting the gavel, Mr.
Lumpe spoke of the unique history of the gavel, on display at the
Institute’s Lutheran History Museum in the LCMS International
Center.
M in u tes

Secretary Raymond L. Hartwig

Electronic Voting System
Registration, Credentials, and Elections Committee Chairman
Dan Gilbert, President of the Northern Illinois District, introduced
his committee and explained its duties. He led the convention
assembly in practice exercises to help the delegates and representatives become acquainted with the microphone queuing and voting
devices.

Committee 8: Registration, Credentials, and Elections
Registration, Credentials, and Elections Committee Chairman
Dan Gilbert provided the initial report of convention registrations:
Total voting delegates		
Advisory delegates
154
Advisory representatives
158
Total advisory		
Special guests and others		
Total registered		

1,174
312
27
1,513

A motion was introduced to adopt the initial registration report.
The motion carried [Yes: 960; No: 9].

Proposed Special Standing Rules
Before calling attention to the proposed Special Standing Rules,
the chair introduced the Council of Presidents, Board of Directors, Commission on Constitutional Matters, and Commission on
Handbook in their reserved seating area and also called attention to
the special guests seating area. He then introduced Parliamentarian
Chris Dickey, Secretary Raymond Hartwig, Secretary’s Assistant
Marvin Temme, and staff members supporting the chairman in
his conduct of the convention.
President Harrison called attention to the Standing Rules
(Today’s Business [TB], pp. 218ff.) as proposed to the convention,
highlighting several rules in particular. He called for and received
a motion to adopt the Special Standing Rules as presented. During discussion, a motion was introduced to amend Rule 25 to read:
“That the regional vice-presidents will be ranked by majority vote.
2 0 1 3 C onvention P roceedings | 2 7