LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 7

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SYNOD REPORTS
In the context of this widening theological gap, the existing geography-based organizational model of the Episcopal Church and Anglican
Church of Canada became problematic for orthodox Anglicans.
Orthodox parishes, clergy and dioceses that upheld Biblical authority and historic Anglican practice became isolated within their existing
structures. (Quoted from the Web site for the Anglican Church in North
America, http://anglicanchurch.net)

From the LCMS perspective, the discussions that will occur will
be guided by Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the
positions of our Synod. Counsel and assistance will be sought from
and provided by the President’s Church Relations Cabinet and the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
Conclusion
We pray that God will bless all of these relationships as we seek
to strengthen them and to deepen our biblical and confessional unity
in doctrine and practice with other Christians around the world, in
accordance with our Lord’s will as expressed in His High Priestly
Prayer in John 17:20–23:
I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message,
that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in
You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have
sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may
be one as We are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to
complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved
them even as You have loved Me.

IV. 2007 Convention Resolutions Assigned
to the President of the Synod
Following is a succinct summary of the 2007 convention resolutions directly assigned to the President of the Synod, together with a
brief report of my actions in response:
Res. 2-04 To Create Position of Director for Strategic
Development of Hispanic Ministries (DSDHM)
Resolved,
That the Synod in convention authorize the President of the Synod,
working with the Board for Mission Services and the Blue Ribbon
Task Force on Hispanic Ministry and in consultation with the National
Hispanic Lutheran Convention, to appoint a Director for Strategic
Development of Hispanic Ministries as soon as funding is available.
Action Taken:

Since the time of the 2007 Synod convention, funding has
not become available for the position of Director for Strategic
Development of Hispanic Ministries (DSDHM). Discussion was held
by several members of the National Hispanic Lutheran Convention
(NHLC) regarding the possibility of shared funding by Hispanic
congregations. In addition, the staff of the Office of the President
investigated possible sources of funding outside of the monies
received for the unrestricted budget of the Synod. However, no solution for funding was found, and this position has not yet been filled.
Progress was achieved on the development of a job description
for the DSDHM position through the work of the officers of the
NHLC. Further work in this regard remains on the table until funding becomes available. An overture has been presented by the Board
for Mission Services to this convention to again encourage the filling of this position.
Res. 2-08 To Celebrate Significant Synod Anniversaries
Resolved,
That Concordia Historical Institute, in consultation with the
President’s office, work to prepare a short monograph by late 2007

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describing the history of Walther, Wyneken, and Loehe, prepared specially for educational institutions throughout the Synod (elementary
schools, high schools, colleges, universities, seminaries), including suggestions to teachers and professors for incorporating teaching about the
significance of these three men in their coursework or classes; and be
it further
Resolved, That Concordia Historical Institute, in cooperation with
the President of the Synod, shall be encouraged to prepare and administer a national conference to analyze the impact and relevance of Walther,
Wyneken, and Loehe for Lutheranism in the United States today; and
that this conference be coordinated with the opening of the new museum
at the Synod’s International Center, if at all possible.
Action Taken:

The Executive Director and subsequent Interim Executive Director
of Concordia Historical Institute did consult with the President’s
Office in regard to the proposed monograph and potential national
conference relevant to Walther, Wyneken, and Loehe. Permission was
granted by the Office of the President to proceed with the monograph,
if funding was available.
Initial plans were under development in relation to coordinating
the national conference with the opening of the new museum. The
Office of the President assisted CHI in gathering names of potential
presenters for the potential conference and worked cooperatively with
CHI in developing an agenda for the national conference. However,
when the exact opening date of the museum became uncertain and
CHI realized that it would not have funding available to sponsor a
national conference, it was determined that a national conference
would not be possible at this time.
Res. 2-09 To Initiate Planning for the 500th Anniversary
of the Reformation
Resolved,
That the Synod, under the auspices of the Office of the President,
organize a celebration—an observance of this historic anniversary—
inviting and involving to the greatest extent possible the participation of
other worldwide confessional Lutheran churches.
Action Taken:

Discussions have been held with former members of committees
who have been involved in the planning and execution of previous
synodwide celebrations regarding processes followed in coordinating national, and potentially, international events. Conversations have
also been held with members of the International Lutheran Council
(ILC) with regard to a potential worldwide emphasis for this special anniversary.
In addition, a Confessional Leadership Conference is being sponsored by the CTCR, June 3–5, 2010, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that
will bring together international Lutheran leaders, including the ILC
World Seminaries Conference and teachers of theology from LCMS
seminaries, colleges, and universities. This conference will provide a
venue to discuss appropriate ways to celebrate the 500th anniversary.
With the pending conversation of this summer conference with
worldwide Lutheran leaders and in consideration of the potential
changes in the structure of national Synod, it did not seem expedient to appoint a planning group at this time. However, following the
meeting of worldwide Lutheran leadership this summer and after
convention action on potential changes to the national structure at
the Synod convention, it will be a priority to appoint an LCMS leadership team to plan on behalf of the LCMS, and in conjunction other
global Lutheran leaders, a national and worldwide celebration for the
500th anniversary of the Reformation.
2010 Convention Workbook

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