# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S41 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) the story of the mother of Black Lutheranism in the Black Belt; give thanks to God for the work of Dr. Rosa Young as told in her book, Light In the Dark Belt; and support the Rosa Young film project that is currently being produced.” The committee considered this a friendly amendment. When the assembly indicated its readiness to vote, the resolution was adopted as amended [Yes: 935; No: 46]. closed [Yes: 662; No: 296]. Before the assembly could vote on the proposed amendment, the Orders of the Day were called. Convention Essay—Baptized for Life Together The chair introduced and welcomed Presidents Emeriti Rev. Dr. Ralph Bohlmann (1981–92), Rev. Dr. Robert Kuhn (who served in 2001 at the death of President Alvin Barry), and Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick (2001–2010). The convention responded with the singing of the Doxology. Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller, professor of theology and Dean of Christ College at Concordia, Irvine, spoke of the effects of life apart from God, a fundamental division between “me” and everybody and everything else. We are left alone, too often with only shallow relationships. But while we are thus lonely, God comes to us and first creates life together with Him by reconciling us to Him and providing opportunity for fellowship with others who are also reconciled in Christ. The Early Church demonstrated this, not by drawing in but by reaching out, living their Baptisms, expressing fellowship in many ways, looking to the needs of others. By God’s grace, we live our life together also, baptized into the Body of Christ, seeing Christ in one another—a fellowship different from that of any other organization. And when such is not our life together, we must return again to our Baptisms, where life together, a gift of God, is found. [The full text of Dr. Mueller’s essay is printed elsewhere in these 2013 Convention Proceedings.] Committee 9: Committee for Convention Nominations Committee 1: Witness Greetings—Lutheran Hour Ministries President Harrison invited Dr. Paul Maier to the podium to introduce Executive Director Bruce Wurdeman of Lutheran Hour Ministries to bring greetings to the convention. He spoke of great needs and opportunities to take the Gospel into all the world. Special Recognition—LCMS Presidents Emeriti Committee for Convention Nominations Chairman Carl Egger briefly addressed the convention to speak of the need to redo the election of a lay member of the Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors. To do so, the convention will need to nominate at least one person for the position, such nomination to take place at a later time after delegates will have had time to consider possible names to place in nomination. Committee 3: Life Together Res. 3-16A, “To Express Thanks to the Office of the President and Offices of National and International Mission” (TB, p. 411), retrieved from Omnibus Resolution C earlier, was now introduced by the committee with an additional resolve paragraph. After discussion, the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 900; No: 23]. Res. 3-11A “To Support Church Workers” (TB, pp. 245f.) was introduced by the committee. After discussion, the chair sought the will of the convention and called the vote. The resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 936; No: 13]. Res. 3-12A “To Affirm Our Worship Treasures Old and New and Commend the Document Text, Music, Context” (TB, p. 246) was introduced by the committee. During discussion, the committee accepted a friendly amendment to delete the word “excellent” in the final whereas paragraph. A show of hands closed debate and the resolution was adopted as amended [Yes: 633; No: 274]. Res. 3-13A “To Update Synod’s Catechetical Materials” (TB, p. 247) was introduced by the committee, changing the word “catechism” in the final resolve paragraph to “catechetical compendium.” During discussion, a proposed amendment to replace the second resolve paragraph with “Resolved, That the translation of Luther’s Small Catechism published by Concordia Publishing House (CPH) before 1986 be restored and printed with the revised Explanation” was accepted by the committee as a friendly amendment. This decision was challenged and discussed until debate was minutes After calling attention to Res. 1-07B “To Support the Wittenberg Project for the Quincentennial Celebration of the Lutheran Reformation” (TB, p. 410), Committee 1 Chairman James Baneck introduced Rev. Michael Kumm, who reported on the status of the Wittenberg Project. A video was shown to emphasize the importance of the project and related outreach and educational plans. The Rev. Dr. Jacob Preus also addressed the convention regarding the educational plans associated with the project. Rev. David Mahsman, the Synod’s representative for the project in Wittenberg, also addressed the convention and responded to questions. He reported that $1.3 million has already been donated to this project, with approximately the same amount still needed. Delegates were encouraged to carry the Wittenberg Project back to their districts and circuits for support, so that Lutherans and the Gospel will have a very positive presence in Wittenberg when the celebrations of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation begin. Res. 1-07B was then introduced by the committee and, after discussion, adopted by voice vote. Res. 1-11 “To Recruit and Place More Career Missionaries” (TB, pp. 55f.) was introduced by the committee. After brief discussion, the chair asked the assembly whether it was ready to vote. The assembly agreed by a show of hands and the resolution was adopted [Yes: 936; No: 54]. Res. 1-03A “To Complete and Engage in a Synodwide Study of the ‘Theological Statement of Mission for the 21st Century” (TB, p. 317) was introduced by the committee after agreeing to the minor change of removing the reference to “campaign” at the end of the third resolve paragraph. During discussion, the committee agreed to the addition of the words “and 2004 mission statement” after the reference to the 1991 CTCR document in the second resolve paragraph. A motion was also introduced to add the two new paragraphs from the version of the resolution printed on page 378 of Today’s Business. When debate on the motion to amend was ended [Yes: 740; No: 183], the amendment was not adopted [Yes: 357; No: 2 0 1 3 C onvention P roceedings | 41