# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S47
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

and courage; God has created one humanity. He loves us all
and sent His Son for all.’”
Res. 11-01A, “To Encourage Appropriate Use of Social
Media” (TB, 3:383–84), was read and introduced by the
committee. The question was called; after an indecisive
voice vote, the motion failed [Yes: 412; No: 426]. After further
debate, the question was called; this was carried in a voice
vote. The resolution was adopted [Yes: 853; No: 31].

committee. The chair immediately called the question; this was
carried by voice and hand vote. The resolution was adopted by
voice and hand vote.
Res. 11-05, “To Address the Relationship between Church
and State in an Increasingly Hostile Environment” (TB, 1:207–
8), was read and introduced by the committee. The chair
immediately called the question; this was carried by voice and
hand vote. The resolution was adopted by voice and hand vote.

Res. 11-02A, “To Reject All Forms of Racism and Affirm
Our Witness to All People” (TB, 3:384–85), was read and
introduced by the committee.

With the committee’s resolutions fully processed, the
chair dismissed the committee with thanks.

It was moved and seconded to amend the whereases on
TB 3:385, ll. 11–14 as follows:

President Harrison welcomed President Emeritus Gerald
Kieschnick and his wife, Terri, who were warmly received by
the convention. President Emeritus Kieschnick addressed
the assembly, concluding that “God is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
His power that is at work in us” and with the words of Jesus
that “You are the light of the world …” and “On this rock I
will build my church and even the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.” President Harrison also acknowledged
President Emeritus Robert Kuhn, who served from March to
August 2001, after the passing of President Barry; he resides
in Oviedo, Fla., and was not able to be with the convention.
“God bless you, Dr. Kuhn.”

WHEREAS, BLM, DEI, and CRT are multifaceted and
include some proponents endorse controversial
aspects and theories as well as some explicitly
unbiblical tenets; and
WHEREAS, Elements of the BLM organizational
philosophy, certain DEI policies, and some proponents
of CRT often sinfully divide people on the basis of race
and may therefore promote another form of racism;
and
The chair called the question on the amendment, which
was carried. After a voice vote, the result of which was not
announced, the amendment failed [Yes: 239; No: 704].
It was moved and seconded to amend at TB 3:385, line 34,
to delete the words “implore her congregations and ministries
to.” There being no objection, this was accepted by consent.
It was moved to amend at TB 3:385, line 32, to insert, prior
to the words “in our confession of the Word” the words “in our
common humanity and” and at l. 38 to add “traumas” to the list
“movements, methodologies, and ideologies.” The question on
the amendment was immediately called; a division of the house
was called for after a voice vote; the closure of debate was
carried [Yes: 689; No: 238]. The amendment failed [Yes: 281; No:
640].
With twenty minutes of debate having elapsed, the
question was called under the rule; this was carried [Yes: 789;
No: 150]. Res. 11-02A was adopted as amended [Yes: 875; No:
84].

Special Recognition: LCMS President Emeritus

At this point, the resolution on TB 5:475–6, “To Create a
Task Force to Explore Term Limits for Synod Officers,” was
moved. The chair put to the body whether it wished to
consider the motion from the floor. The body declined to
consider the resolution [Yes: 462; No: 469].
Committee 13: Registration, Credentials, and Elections –
Balloting for Other Boards and Commissions
The chair called Committee 13 Chairman Scott Sailer to
the podium to update the credential report and conduct the
next elections in the prescribed order. The registration
report indicates 1,019 delegates presently checked in.
Chairman Sailer then continued with the order of elections,
with the chair relinquished to Fifth Vice-President Esget.
Concordia University System (Ordained, 6-year term)
Mark P. Braden (EN)
583
Timothy D. (Tim) Runtsch (RM) 363

Res. 11-03A, “To Love and Disciple Peoples of All
Ethnicities, Languages, and Skin Colors” (TB, 3:385–86), was
read and introduced by the committee. With President
Harrison resuming the chair, the chair called the question; this
was carried by voice vote. The resolution was adopted [Yes:
882; No: 69].

Steven (Steve) Buuck (PSW)
Jonathon Giordano (SI)
Phillip L. Johnson (MNS)

Res. 11-06A, “To Oppose Mandatory Registration of
Women into the Draft” (TB, 3:386–87), was briefly explained
and introduced by the committee. The chair immediately called
the question; this was carried by voice and hand vote. The
resolution was adopted by voice and hand vote.

Position 1 of 2:
Jonathan Busarow (EN)
Ellen R. Lange (EN)
James J. Munden (SI)
Linda Stoterau (PSW)
Gary R. Thompson (SW)

208 217
436 610
45
107
155 140

Position 2 of 2:
James J. Munden (SI)

144

Res. 11-04, “To Address Abortion and Use of Fetal Tissue in
Vaccines” (TB, 1:206–7), was read and introduced by the
Minutes

(declared elected)

Concordia University System (Commissioned, 6-year term)
256
561
132

(declared elected)

Concordia University System (Lay, elect 2, 6-year term)

(declared elected)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 47