# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S52
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Board of Regents, Mequon (Commissioned, 3-year term)
Jonathan D. Eifert (MI)
Jennifer L. Knox (SW)
Gary W. Petersen (SW)

129
426
222

(declared elected)

Board of Regents, Mequon (Lay, elect 2, 3-year term)
Position 1 of 2:
Michael Bartel (NW)
Leah Bromen (OH)
Ronald Harmeyer (SW)
David Lambert (EN)
Stephen Saunders (SW)

131
72
133 113
97
187 154
277 493

(declared elected)

Position 2 of 2:
Michael Bartel (NW)
Leah Bromen (OH)
Ronald Harmeyer (SW)
David Lambert (EN)

71
200
84
485

(declared elected)

Committee 9: Structure and Administration
The chair recognized Chairman Timothy J. Scharr to
resume the report of his committee.
Res. 9-10A, “To Amend Bylaws 3.6.4 and 3.6.4.4.1 to
Clarify Use of Lutheran Church Extension Fund Financial
Resources and Related Services” (TB, 2B:337–39), was
introduced by the committee, with Chief Mission Officer
Kevin Robson strongly encouraging adoption. The chair
called the question; closure of debate was carried by voice
vote. The resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Res. 9-09A, “To Appoint a Task Force to Prepare the 2026
Convention to Consider Implementing a Four-Year
Convention Cycle” (TB, 3:381), was read and introduced by
the committee, with “three district secretaries” added to the
task force at lines 22–23. The question was called; closure of
debate was carried [Yes: 672; No: 76]. Res. 9-09A as read
failed of adoption [Yes: 309; No: 486].
Res. 9-12, “To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2.4 to Change How
Subsequent Ballots Are Determined in Election of Synod
President” (TB, 1:191–92), was read and introduced by the
committee. After debate, the question was called; closure of
debate was carried [Yes: 708; No: 90]. The resolution was
adopted [Yes: 535; No: 249].
The committee was dismissed with thanks.
Committee 6: Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries
The chair recognized Chairman John E. Hill to resume the
report of his committee.
Res. 6-04, “To Affirm and Provide Guidance for the
Service of Laity” (TB, 1:133–34), was read and introduced by
the committee.
It was moved and seconded to amend at TB 1:134, line 25,
to strike the words “private Confession and Absolution.”
The committee, at the request of the chair, confirmed that
these words mean the rite carried out by pastors, and that it
is not by them denied that any Christian may forgive sin and
speak Christ to sinners. After some debate, the chair ruled
the amendment non-substantive and, therefore, out of
52 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

order. Debate continued on the main motion. It was moved
and seconded to amend at line 20 to strike “commissioned
workers” from the list of laity. The chairman ruled the
amendment out of order. The ruling of the chair was
appealed from, upon which the chair allowed consideration.
After one speaker, the question was called; closure of debate
was carried. The amendment failed on a voice and hand
vote. The chair put closure of debate to the assembly; this
was carried in a voice and hand vote. Res. 6-04 was adopted
by voice and hand vote.
Res. 6-05, “To Affirm and Clarify Bylaw 3.10.2.4 by
Amending” (TB, 1:134–35), was read and introduced by the
committee. A point of order was raised, suggesting on the
basis of a permissive reading of the word “may” that the
resolution was contrary to the Bylaws; the Secretary
explained from the history of the provision (referencing an
associated report of the 2013 Res. 5-14A committee’s report,
2016 Proceedings, p. 287) that the provision is restrictive
rather than permissive. The chair put closure of debate to
the assembly; this was carried in a voice vote. Res. 6-05 was
adopted [Yes: 623; No: 127].
Res. 6-07A, “To Recommend and Implement Rigorous
Program of Study in Circuit Winkels” (TB, 4:416–17), was
read and introduced by the committee. The chair put closure
of debate to the assembly; this was carried in a voice vote.
The resolution was adopted by voice vote.
Res. 6-09, “To Recognize and Honor the Pastor’s Wife”
(TB, 4:444), was read and introduced by the committee. The
chair put closure of debate to the assembly; this was carried
in a voice vote. The resolution was adopted in a unanimous
voice vote.
Res. 6-06A, “To Support and Participate in PostSeminary Applied Learning and Support and Preach the
Word” (TB, 4:416), was read and introduced by the
committee. After some discussion, the question was called;
this was carried in a voice and hand vote. The resolution was
adopted in a unanimous voice vote.
The committee was dismissed with thanks.
Committee 3: Mercy
The chair recognized Chairman Brady L. Finnern to
resume the report of his committee.
Res. 3-05, “To Recognize and Thank the Synod for Mercy
Shown to God’s People through COVID-19 Pandemic” (TB,
1:100), was read and introduced by the committee. The chair
immediately called the question; this was carried in a voice
and hand vote. The resolution was adopted in a unanimous
voice vote.
As the committee departed, the resolution on TB 6:494,
“To Establish a Standing, Synodwide Process for Ongoing
Exchange and Conflict Resolution,” was moved and
seconded with the word “direct” on line 31 replaced with
“request that.” After some discussion, the question was
Minutes