LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 5

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Preface
“ONE People—Forgiven” served as the theme of the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, which convened at the George R . Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, July 10–17, 2010 . The convention
was attended by more than 1,200 voting delegates, more than 400 registered advisory delegates and official or invited guests,
and numerous nonregistered visitors to the convention .
“ONE People—Forgiven” echoed throughout convention week, from the Saturday afternoon Opening Convention
Divine Worship with Holy Communion to the Saturday morning Closing Service of Sending . It was a constant echo that
permeated the daily Bible study essays, the opening and closing devotions, Wednesday afternoon’s Memorial Service, the
“Red Chair Videos” interspersed throughout the convention agenda, and even the hours of debate over issues before the
convention .
As “ONE People—Forgiven,” the convention tended to business as usual, including elections and the usual variety of
matters of business that constitute Synod convention agendas . But all present knew going in before this historic convention
that the primary topic would be the significant recommendations presented to the Synod by the Blue Ribbon Task Force
on Synod Structure and Governance that culminated in the series of proposed actions prepared by Floor Committee 8 .
Presentation and discussion of these proposals occupied several days of the convention schedule, and many of the proposals
of the floor committee were adopted .
These and all other resolutions decided by the convention are now included in their final form in these Convention
Proceedings, along with the minutes of the thirteen convention sessions and other related materials and documents . To
facilitate the reading of the resolutions, the following key will be helpful:
• An “A” attached to a resolution number indicates that significant changes were made to the resolution by the floor
committee after it was first published in the preconvention issue of Today’s Business, causing the floor committee to
republish the resolution . In some cases, a “B” has been used to indicate yet another rewrite of the resolution by the
committee .
• The first line under the resolution number indicates the origin of the subject matter addressed by the resolution .
• According to Special Standing Rule #8 of the convention, the preface/preamble/rationale/whereas paragraphs of
resolutions are as intentional and meaningful as the resolve paragraphs .
• The action of the convention is given following each printed resolution, the number in parentheses indicating the
convention session in which the final action was taken .
• Comments in parentheses below each resolution provide information regarding changes made or attempted during
discussion of the resolution, with the vote tally for the final decision provided in brackets at the end of the paragraph .
Further detail of the discussion and change or amendment proposals can be found in the minutes of the convention .
Of course, the business of a convention has only just begun with the rap of the final gavel and the printing of the
Convention Proceedings . Its business continues as delegates report to those whom they represented, the newly elected
assume office, and decisions are implemented . And this continuation is even more true of this convention’s theme, “ONE
People—Forgiven.” It will continue on as our Synod’s theme not only for the coming triennium but well beyond . As stated
by President Kieschnick in his opening sermon, “Offering forgiveness in Word and Sacrament is the business of the Church
of Jesus Christ and the hallmark of the faith of the Synod .” Such will be the theme of the true Christian Church on earth for
the next three years and/or until Christ comes again . And even beyond then it will continue on as the theme of the Church’s
eternal worship and praise, for God’s people will forever be, first and foremost, “ONE People—Forgiven .”
Raymond L . Hartwig, Secretary

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