# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S36
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Greetings—Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
The chair called upon Eden Keefe, president of the
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), to offer
greetings. She commented that the partnership of LWML
with the Synod goes “well beyond the dollars and the
prayers” to “hearts and hands for service.” She noted
attendance of 3,500 at the auxiliary’s recent (40th biennial)
convention, also in Milwaukee and attendees’ participation
in several related servant events. In the new biennium, “the
Time is Now to be purposeful (“to do”) and purpose-filled (“to
be … Christ-centered, Christ-dedicated, and Christempowered”). Before closing with the words of Ephesians
3:20–21, she noted the LWML relies on God’s promise and
faithful provision and supports the Synod in its mission to
preach Christ crucified, with the hope that “all that we are
and all that we do be to the glory of God.”
Committee 13: Registration, Credentials, and Elections
Having called the convention back to order, he called
upon the Rev. Scott Sailer, chairman of Committee 13
(Registration, Credentials, and Elections), to update to the
registration report, which read as follows:
Voting delegates
Advisory delegates
Advisory representatives

1022
160
162

The report was moved and adopted without discussion
by voice vote.
Committee 5: Theology and Church Relations
President Harrison recognized Chairman Brian S.
Saunders to resume the report of his committee. A delegate
rose to a point of privilege, requesting additional features in
the Today’s Business publications, including highlighting
updates and adding an index of the location of latest
editions of resolutions.
Res. 5-06, “To Clarify and Simplify Bylaws regarding
Routes to Altar and Pulpit Fellowship” (TB, 1:118–19), was
read and introduced by the committee. The chair suggested
an immediate closure of debate, which was accepted by a
voice vote. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.
Res. 5-07, “To Recognize That the Synod Is Not in Altar
and Pulpit Fellowship with the Japan Lutheran Church” (TB,
1:119–21), was read in its entirety, due to its weighty nature,
and introduced by the committee.
It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution to
amend the whereas on p. 121, line 15, to add the following:
“into, nor carry out the public functions of, the pastoral
office (1 Tim. 2:12, 1 Cor. 14:34),” and to insert as a first resolve:
“That the LCMS affirm the inerrancy, inspiration, clarity,
and authority of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19–21).” This
amendment was adopted by consent.
It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution, on
page 121, line 31, to delete “especially early on in its
relationship with the JLC.” The chair judged the amendment
36 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

to have been carried in a voice vote; however, upon a call for
division, in a counted vote, the amendment failed [Yes: 296;
No: 678]. Orders impending, the chair suggested closure of
debate, which was accepted by a voice vote. Res. 5-07 was
adopted as amended [Yes: 944; No: 55]. Committee
Chairman Saunders offered prayer.
Special Recognition—International Guests
The President and his Church Relations assistants led the
convention in warmly welcoming international guests, as
follow:
Newly Established Altar and Pulpit Fellowship: Rev. Peter
Anibati Abia, Bishop and Moses Dangba, Vicar, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan; Rev. Charles I.
Bameka, Bishop and Mr. Fred Magezi, Guest, Lutheran
Church of Uganda; Rev. Serge Maschewski, Bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine; Rev.
Arumanayagam Arulchelvan, Bishop, Ceylon Evangelical
Lutheran Church (not present); Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola,
Bishop, Dr. Päivi Räsänen, Minister of Parliament, Dr. Niilo
Räsänen, Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of
Finland.
Church Partners: Rev. Geraldo Walmir Schüler, President,
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil; Rev. Timothy
Teuscher, President, Lutheran Church-Canada; Rev. Juan
Pablo Lanterna, President, Confessional Lutheran Church of
Chile; Right Rev. George Samiec, Chairman, The Evangelical
Lutheran Church of England; Rev. Dr. Gleisson Roberto
Schmidt, President, Evangelical Lutheran Church—Synod
of France; Rev. Hans-Jörg Voigt, Bishop, Independent
Evangelical-Lutheran Church (SELK); Rev. John Shadrack
Donkoh, President/Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Ghana; Rev. Ignacio Juan Chan Cux, President, Lutheran
Church of Guatemala; Right Rev. Dr. Priestly Balasingh,
President/Bishop and Mr. Ravi Jesupathan, Guest, The India
Evangelical Lutheran Church; Rev. Aleksander Burtsev,
Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Almaty; Rev. Dr.
Joseph Ochola Omolo, Archbishop, Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Kenya; Rev. Eun Seob Kim, President, Lutheran
Church in Korea; Rev. Andris Krauliņš, Secretary of
International Affairs, Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Latvia; Rev. Isaac Guadalupe Garcia Castillo, President,
Lutheran Synod of Mexico; Rev. Alceu Alton Figur, President,
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay; Rev. Antonio del
Rio Reyes, President, The Lutheran Church in the
Philippines; Rev. Dr. Alexey Streltsov, Rector of Theological
Seminary, Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church; Rev.
S.M.A. Modise Maragelo, Bishop, Lutheran Church in
Southern Africa; Rev. Andre Luiz Müller, President, Lutheran
Church of Uruguay; Rev. Dr. Carey Larson, Presiding Pastor,
The American Association of Lutheran Churches.
Invited Guests: Rev. Limberth Fernández Coronado,
President, Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia;
Rev. Dr. Denis Rakotozafy, Bishop and Dr. Harison
Rasamimanana, Guest, Malagasy Lutheran Church; Rev. Dr.
Yohana Ernest Nzelu, Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church
Minutes