# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S33
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

As Committee 13 prepared to make its presentation, a delegate
obtained the attention of the chair and requested that the chair use
Special Standing Rule 13 to address Res. 12-01A. The delegate was
informed that the use of that standing rule is at the discretion of
the chair. President Harrison permitted the delegate to explain his
reasons and thanked him for his request.
After introductory comments by Committee Chairman Roger
Paavola, Res. 13-02A “To Regularize Status of Licensed Lay Deacons
Involved in Word and Sacrament Ministry” (TB, pp. 373ff.—Part
2, Sunday issue) was introduced by the committee. During discussion, a motion to end debate was introduced but failed [Yes: 624;
No: 431]. Discussion continued until the chair tested the will of the
assembly to end debate [Yes: 774; No: 294]. With debate ended, Res.
13-02A was adopted as presented [Yes: 809; No: 277].
Res. 13-04A “To Clarify Colloquy Requirements” (TB, pp.
376f.—Part 2, Sunday issue) was introduced by the committee.
After immediate discussion of the apparent faulty construction
of the resolution’s whereas and resolve paragraphs, the committee
determined that the second and third whereas paragraphs and the
first resolve paragraph were to be a quotation that should have been
indented. This matter resolved, discussion began on the content of
the resolution. After additional concerns were expressed, the chair
asked whether the assembly would object to referring the resolution back to the committee. There being no objection, Res. 13-04A
was referred back to the committee.
Res. 13-03 “To Address Future Church Leadership Needs in
Light of Current and Future Challenges” (TB, pages 174f.—preconvention issue) was introduced by the committee. During the
discussion that followed, friendly amendments were offered to add
“and Canada” to the third bullet of the first resolve, and to add a
new final bullet to the same resolve: “• To explore the possibility
of providing free seminary education.” The chair tested the will of
the assembly to close debate [Yes: 973; No: 66]. With debate closed,
Res. 13-03 was adopted as changed [Yes: 874; No: 147].

Committee 14: Church and Culture
Committee 14 Chairman Terry Forke brought forward Res.
14-06A “To Encourage Outreach to Muslim Neighbors” (reprinted
since it was last discussed as Res. 14-06, the resolution now on p.
432 of Today’s Business—Tuesday issue). When asked by the chair
whether it was ready to proceed with voting on the resolution, the
assembly agreed to proceed to vote, and Res. 14-06A was adopted
as changed during Session 3 [Yes: 945; No: 61].
Res. 14-02A “To Confess Sanctity of Marriage” (TB, p. 430—
Tuesday issue) was introduced by the committee. During brief
discussion, two amendments were offered and accepted as friendly
amendments by the committee: to add the words “and schools” after
“universities” in the third resolve; and to add the words “with gentleness and respect” after the word “prophetically” in the final resolve.
When the chair asked and the assembly indicated its readiness to
vote, Res. 14-02A was adopted as changed [Yes: 1,030; No: 15].
Res. 14-03A “To Respond Compassionately to Challenges to Biblical View of Marriage and Human Sexuality” (TB, p. 431—Tuesday
issue) was introduced by the committee. During discussion, several
suggested amendments were accepted as friendly amendments by
the committee: to add the words “Law and” before the word “Gospel’ in each occurrence in the third and fourth resolves; to replace
“Convention Minutes”

the words “struggle with” with the word “experience” in the third
resolve; and to relocate “the Lord’s Supper” to follow the mention of
“corporate and individual confession and absolution” in the third
and fourth resolves. When the chair asked whether the assembly
was willing to close debate, he heard no objection, and Res. 14-03A
was adopted as changed [Yes: 1,004; No: 25].

Convention Essay—“Upon This Rock: Confess”
[The entire text of the essay by Dr. Daniel Preus, Vice-President of the Synod, is printed elsewhere in these 2016 Convention
Proceedings.]

Committee 12: Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute
Resolution
As Committee 12 prepared to continue its presentation of its resolutions, a delegate sought the attention of the chair to ask whether
more time might be allowed for debate. When asked by the chair,
the assembly supported the manner in which the chair was conducting the convention.
Res. 12-04A “To Expedite the Dispute Resolution and Suspension/Expulsion Processes” (TB, pp. 367ff.—Part 2, Sunday issue)
was introduced and clarified by the committee. After discussion,
a motion to end debate was carried [Yes: 830; No: 213] and Res.
12-04A was adopted [Yes: 648; No: 386].
Res. 12-06 “To Care for Returning Missionaries and Military
Chaplains” (TB, p. 161—preconvention issue) was introduced by
the committee. The chair asked whether there would be objection
from the assembly if he were to proceed to a vote on the resolution
after only one speaker. There being no objection, Res. 12-06 was
adopted [Yes: 1,046; No: 4].
Res. 12-08 “To Provide Assistance to Lay Reconcilers Serving on Dispute Resolution, Hearing, and Final Hearing Panels”
(TB, pp. 162f.—preconvention issue) was introduced by the committee. Discussion, including a friendly amendment to add the
words “through the hearing facilitator” after “resource materials”
in both new bylaw paragraphs, followed. The chair asked whether
the assembly was willing to close debate. Hearing no objection, Res.
12-08 was adopted by voice vote.
Res. 12-11 “To Establish a Procedure Based on Article XI A 2 for
Removal from Office of Officers of the Synod or a District (Other
Than the Synod or a District President)” (TB, pp. 382f.— Part 2,
Sunday issue) was introduced by the committee. The committee
clarified that the final four paragraphs as printed (marked with
double asterisks) were not to be considered a part of the resolution.
After discussion, the chair asked the assembly whether it was ready
to close debate. Debate was closed [Yes: 861; No: 183] and Res. 12-11
was adopted as clarified [Yes: 928; No: 146].

Committee 2: International Witness
Committee 2 Chairman Donald Fondow began his committee’s
presentation with a video emphasizing the growth in missionary
activity and in missionary care challenges. Res. 2-03 “To Commend and Support Synod’s International Schools and Their Role
in the Church’s Mission” (TB, p. 51—preconvention issue) was then
introduced by the committee. After discussion and suggestion of
friendly amendments to the final resolve paragraph by adding the
UPON THIS ROCK

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