# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S34
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Committee 13: Registration, Credentials, and Elections –
Balloting for Secretary and Synod Board of Directors
With the President relinquishing the chair to Fifth VicePresident Christopher Esget, the chair called Committee 13
Chairman Scott Sailer to the podium to conduct the
elections of the Secretary and members of the Synod Board
of Directors. First, Chairman Sailer noted no change in the
number of voting delegates. The committee proceeded to
conduct the elections of the Secretary and members of the
Board of Directors, with Chaplain Daenzer offering an
opening prayer:
Secretary (Ordained, 3-year term)
Derek Klemm (PSW)
John W. Sias (MO)

218
750

(declared elected)

Board of Directors (Ordained, At-Large, elect 2, 6-year term)
Position 1 of 2:
Phillip L. Brandt (NOW)
John M. Bussman (SO)
Roger B. Gallup (NI)
Josemon T. Hoem (IN)
Derek Klemm (PSW)
Brent D. Smith (NEB)

82
147
196
215
188
164

192
399
239
164

Position 2 of 2:
Phillip L. Brandt (NOW)
John M. Bussman (SO)
Roger B. Gallup (NI)
Derek Klemm (PSW)
Brent D. Smith (NEB)

40
157
337
308
154

129
421
336
111

155
514
324

553
441

282
73
631
346
626
533
451

(declared elected)

(declared elected)
(declared elected)

(declared elected)

Convention Essay: “We Preach Christ Crucified—The Power of
God on the Cross”
[The entire text of the essay by Dr. Abjar Bahkou,
associate professor of practical theology at Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, is printed in the 2023 Convention
Proceedings.]

34 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

It was moved and seconded to amend Res. 1-01A by
adding at line 34, after “Jesus,” the appositive “Christ
crucified for sinners,” which was accepted with consent. The
chair suggested a closure of debate, which was accepted by
a voice vote. Res. 1-01A was adopted as amended by voice
vote.

Res. 1-03A, “To Plant More Churches” (TB, 3:369–70),
was read and introduced by the committee. The chair
suggested an immediate closure of debate, which was
accepted by a voice vote. Res. 1-03A was adopted by hand
and voice vote.

Board of Directors (Lay, At-Large, 6-year term)
Jason Burk (TX)
147
Ryan P. Ermeling (PSW)
256 384
Gerhard H. Mundinger, Jr. (IN) 133
Paul Techau (SE)
80
K. Allan Voss (SW)
370 603

A delegate rose to a point of information, questioning the
chair’s use of voice votes. The chair explained that the speed
of the electronic vote system in this venue renders the voice
vote more efficient and that no votes have been difficult to
call.

(decl. el.)

Board of Directors (Lay, Great Plains Region, 6-year term)
Larry W. Harrington (WY)
Glenn E. Van Velson (NEB)

Res. 1-01A, “To Stimulate Training for Witness” (TB,
3:368), was read and introduced by the committee.

Res. 1-02A, “To Aid Small Congregations and MultiCongregation Pastors and Parishes” (TB, 3:369), was read
and introduced by the committee. After discussion by the
assembly, the resolution was adopted by a unanimous voice
vote.

Board of Directors (Lay, Great Lakes Region, 6-year term)
John W. (Jack) Kidwell (MI)
Rick H. Stathakis (MI)

President Harrison, after introducing a video featuring
work of the Office of National Mission, recognized ViceChairman David R. Nehrenz, president of the Oklahoma
District, to begin the report of his committee.

(decl. el.)

Board of Directors (Lay, East-Southeast Region, 6-year term)
Jon D. Allen (EA)
Michael F. Killian (NE)
Leo S. MacKay Jr. (EN)

Committee 1: National Witness

Res. 1-04A, “To Continue to Address Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity Issues” (TB, 3:370–72), was read and
introduced by the committee. It was moved and seconded to
strike the word “consider” on p. 372, line 5. Chief Financial
Officer Haak noted, upon a question of the committee, that
the cost estimate includes this work. This amendment was
accepted without objection. Two other amendments were
proposed, to add “A Chaste and Decent Life (adopted
December 2022)” to the list of resources on p. 371, ll. 41–46,
and to add “one CTCR member or staff” to the task force
membership on p. 372, ll. 1–4. These further amendments
were accepted as a series by general consent.
The chair suggested a closure of debate, which was
accepted by a voice vote. Res. 1-04A was adopted as thus
thrice amended by hand and voice vote.
Res. 1-05A, “To Increase Mission Efforts to Immigrants
and Various Cultural Groups in North America” (TB, 3:372–
73), was read and introduced by the committee. It was
moved and seconded to insert a resolve wherever
appropriate, to read:
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct its
seminaries to ensure that students enrolled in
ethnic immigrant or multicultural programs leading
to ordination, for example the Ethnic Immigrant
Minutes