# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S39
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of debate, which was carried. The resolution was adopted by
voice and hand vote.
Res. 10-02, “To Amend Bylaws to Clarify Application of
Pre-Call Consultation and Call and Be Served By (Bylaws
2.5.2–3) beyond Member Congregations” (TB, 1:198–200),
was read and introduced by the committee. The chair
immediately put to the body the close of debate, which was
carried by a voice vote. The resolution was adopted [Yes:
926; No: 40].
Res. 10-03A, “To Provide Application of Standards of
Accountability to Members of Synod” (TB, 3:381–82), was
read and introduced by the committee. The chair
immediately put to the body the close of debate, which was
carried by a voice vote. The resolution was adopted by voice
vote.
Res. 10-04A, “To Direct Revision of Council of Presidents
Policy regarding Placement” (TB, 3:382), was read and
introduced by the committee. The chair immediately put to
the body the close of debate, which was carried by a voice
vote. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.
Res. 10-05A, “To Speak to Spiritual Care of Victims of
Sexual Misconduct by Individual Members of the Synod”
(TB, 3:382–83), was read and introduced by the committee.
The chair immediately put to the body the close of debate,
which was carried by a voice vote. The resolution was
adopted by a voice vote.

It was moved and seconded to amend by replacing “holds
the hearing office” with “hears what is preached” on page
380, line 48. There being an objection to handling the
amendment by consent, debate ensued. The question on the
amendment was called; this was carried by voice vote. The
amendment failed [Yes: 348; No: 579].
It was moved and seconded to strike the sentence,
“Recent efforts have included polling advisory delegates
prior to delegate voting, but in addition to violating the
established rules of order (Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised [12th ed.] 45:72), such polling reduces the advice and
counsel given to a single word—either ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ The
counsel these advisors can bring is much more nuanced and
valuable than merely a single word.” in lines 34–38. On a
point of order, a new queue was formed for the amendment.
A delegate immediately called the question, which motion
was carried by voice vote. The amendment failed by voice
vote. Twenty minutes of debate on the resolution and its
subsidiary motions having elapsed, the chair called for a
vote to close debate, which was carried by voice and hand
vote. Res. 9-08A was adopted by hand and voice vote.
Vespers
The Rev. Charles I. Bameka, bishop of the Lutheran
Church of Uganda, read Isaiah 43:1–3a and Chaplain
Daenzer led the convention in a closing collect, the orders of
the day having been exceeded in session.

Session 5
Tuesday a.m., August 1, 2023

Committee 9: Structure and Administration
The President, after introducing a Set Apart to Serve video,
recognized Chairman Timothy J. Scharr to resume the report
of his committee. Chairman Scharr clarified regarding Res.
9-02, adopted in Session 3, and the election of the circuit
visitor that the district president may suggest names up to
the day prior to the forum; the forum itself decides when it
gathers whether it will add such names to the slate.
Res. 9-06A, “To Appoint Task Force to Evaluate Current
Electoral Circuit Parameters” (TB, 3:376–80), was read and
introduced by the committee. Upon the chair’s immediate
proposal to close debate, a delegate raised a point of order,
questioning whether the chair can under Standing Rule 22
put the close of debate before the assembly when no debate
has occurred. The chair instead opened debate on the
resolution. After debate, a delegate called the question.
Closure of debate was carried. The resolution was adopted
by a voice vote.
Res. 9-07, “To Provide for Continuity of Service in
Regional Positions” (TB, 1:187), was read and introduced by
the committee. After some debate, a delegate called the
question, which was carried. The resolution was adopted by
a voice vote.
Res. 9-08A, “To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Delegate
Participation at Conventions” (TB, 3:380–81), was read and
introduced by the committee.

Minutes

Matins
The Rev. Christopher S. Esget, LCMS Fifth Vice-President
(East-Southeast Region), preached on Acts 26:1b, 12–32, in
the Office of Matins; the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of
the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, served
as lector and Chaplain Daenzer as liturgist. Kantor Matthew
Machemer provided accompaniment.
[The entire text of Vice-President Esget’s sermon is
printed in the 2023 Convention Proceedings.]
Committee 13: Registration, Credentials, and Elections
President Harrison opened the session, calling 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
Special guests and others

1023
160
162
150

The report was moved and adopted without discussion
by voice vote.
Greetings—Concordia Plan Services
After a video featuring the history of the worker benefit
plans, James Sanft, president and chief executive officer of
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 39