LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 7

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PREFACE
The following pages contain the official record of the 67th Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
conducted at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Fla., July 20–25, 2019, with 1,076 voting delegates and 410
advisory delegates, representatives, and official guests in attendance.
The convention theme, Joy:fully Lutheran: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks, drawing on 1 Thess. 5:16–18, focused fine
sermons and essays and invited delegates to find in Jesus Christ and in the full confession of his Gospel—in
repentance and in faith—the enduring joy set before the church even in the most challenging of circumstances.
In the words of retiring First Vice-President Herbert Mueller, “Our theme, ‘Joy:fully Lutheran’ has nothing to do
with a sectarian triumphalism but simply reflects the joy of living in the full and free Gospel, for there is ‘one Lord,
one faith, one baptism’ (Eph. 4:5), which is why we joyfully confess ‘one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.’” As
you ponder all the material contained herein—some reporting remarkable blessings, some reporting enduring or
even increasing crosses to bear—may you above all be filled with joy in Jesus, and the pure and unfettered Gospel
that is for you, and therefore be strengthened in Him to rejoice, to pray constantly, to give thanks in all
circumstances.
The resolutions contained in this volume are presented in the form in which they were finally acted upon by the
convention. Each had its origin in one or more reports and overtures submitted, in accordance with Bylaws 3.1.6–
3.1.6.2, by authorized individuals and entities, including the districts, circuits, and congregations of the Synod.
Twelve floor committees prepared a final total of 111 resolutions (including the three omnibuses). Of these, 96
were acted upon in the course of the convention and 95 were adopted. A few notes may be helpful:
•

An “A” or other letter attached to a resolution number indicates that the committee revised the resolution
after its initial publication in Today’s Business, necessitating the printing of a new version.
• The line immediately following the resolution number indicates the origin of the material being acted
upon, usually one or more reports or overtures printed in the Convention Workbook.
• A resolution’s introductory section, whether rationale or preface paragraphs or a series of whereases, is
regarded as having the same weight and importance as the resolves that follow.
• A summary of the action taken by the convention, an indication of in which session that action was taken,
and an excerpt of the relevant portion of the minutes, including the final vote (if tabulated), are included
after each resolution. The complete minutes, presented earlier in this volume, and the previously published
Convention Workbook and Today’s Business, First Edition, provide additional context.
A number of the resolutions have amended the Bylaws of the Synod; these will receive attention by the
Commissions on Constitutional Matters and Handbook, culminating in the production of the 2019 Handbook in
months to come. Various important aspects of our life together as a Synod, including the relation of the Synod to
recognized service organizations, the handling of district membership and ecclesiastical supervision, and the
organization of our Concordia University System, received and will be receiving careful attention through the
triennium. A variety of issues facing every Christian and every congregation received attention worthy of wide
consideration. The Synod will be well served if all our congregations, church workers, and agencies review
carefully this consummation of a triennium’s work at refining Synod’s governance, objectives, and approaches.
The convention undertook in Resolution 9-05 to amend the Constitution of the Synod, an action that will require
ratification by the congregations of the Synod. A ballot will be distributed for this purpose to the congregations,
which are each asked carefully to consider this clarifying amendment and to return the ballot in a timely manner.
A word of thanks is in order to the Today’s Business staff (and my wife, Heidi, who was pressed into service during
the convention) and to Concordia Publishing House, without all of whom this work would not be such as it is.
May the Lord of the Church bless us as a Synod, truly to walk together as Joy:fully Lutheran—to be of one mind and
heart, united in his Word, following the example of the apostolic church, and applying the diversities of our gifts
to the common profit (Constitution, Preface). “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. … May the God of peace sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit
and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful,
and he will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:16–18, 23–24). Amen.
John W. Sias, Secretary
Preface

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 7