# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2026_S9
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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Also pending was the committee’s amendment to the amendment by striking the words “or who has … for two
years.” It was moved and carried to cease debate on the amendment to the amendment. The amendment to the
amendment was adopted. It was moved and carried to cease debate on the amendment. The amendment failed [Yes:
209; No: 650]. It was moved and carried to cease debate on the resolution. Res. 6-10 was adopted without amendment
by voice vote.

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Res. 6-14, “To Respectfully Decline Overtures” (TB, 1:125), was read and introduced by the committee, it being
read to remove Ov. 6-74. It was moved and seconded to cease debate; this carried. The resolution was adopted by
voice vote.

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Committee 5: Theology and Church Relations

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Finding the convention ahead of schedule, the chair recognized Chairman Brian S. Saunders, president, Iowa East
District, to continue the report of his committee, with the Res. 5-11A, “To Reaffirm Sanctity of Human Life Regarding
Practice of In Vitro Fertilization” (TB, 2B:293–94), bearing two pending amendments:

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the Synod for at least two years, may serve as a faculty member or otherwise teach in any manner for a
theological seminary of the Synod.

The first was to amend as found in TB 4:385,
To insert, at TB 2B:293, after line 34, the additional whereas:
WHEREAS, The practice of IVF commonly uses gametes obtained from donors outside the marital union
thus violating the one flesh union between husband and wife and depriving children of their right to their
biological mother and father; and
And to replace the resolve at TB 2B:293, line 42, with the following resolve:

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Resolved, That the Synod condemn the practice of IVF especially because of the freezing and destruction
of human beings and the introduction of gametes from persons outside the marital union; and be it further

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The second was to amend the amendment by striking the words “and depriving children of their right to their
biological mother and father.” It was moved and carried to cease debate on the amendment to the amendment. The
amendment to the amendment was adopted [Yes: 522; No: 357].

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It was moved and carried by voice vote to cease debate on the amendment. The amendment failed [Yes: 363; No:
542]. It was moved and carried by voice vote to cease debate on Res. 5-11A. Res. 5-11A was adopted without
amendment by voice vote.

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Committee 11: Registration, Credentials, and Elections – Balloting for Other Boards and Commissions

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With Second Vice-President (Central Region) Benjamin Ball assuming the chair, the chair called Committee 11
Chairman James Maxwell to the podium to continue with elections for the Synod’s boards of regents and the
Commission on Worship:

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Board of Regents, St. Louis (Ordained, elect 2, 6-year term)
Position 1 of 2:

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Joel A. Brondos (CI)
Warren W. Graff (RM)
Bruce E. Keseman (SI)
Richard C. Rudowske Jr. (MO)
Harald G. Tomesch (SW)

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Position 2 of 2:

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Warren W. Graff (RM)
Bruce E. Keseman (SI)
Richard C. Rudowske Jr. (MO)
Harald G. Tomesch (SW)

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415
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87

463

(declared elected)

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560
299

(declared elected)

2026 Convention Minutes — Sessions 5 and 6 — Page 10