LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 38

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received without objection. The chair put the close of debate
to a vote, which carried [Yes: 830; No: 121]. The resolution
was adopted unanimously as amended by a voice vote, “Yea,
yea, it shall be so.”
Res. 11-05A, “To Encourage Responsible Citizenship and
Compassion Toward Neighbors Who Are Immigrants
Among Us” (TB, 2B:287–88), was read and introduced by the
committee. The chair and President Forke spoke briefly on
the Lutheran “two kingdoms” perspective on immigration
issues, at the same time loving our neighbors and respecting
authorities. After brief discussion by the assembly, the chair
put to a vote the close of debate, which failed [Yes: 600; No:
343]. After further discussion, an amendment was offered
and seconded to add a resolve to read, “That the members of
Synod give bold witness in keeping with the Scriptures and
Confessions against inhumane treatment and attitudes
toward immigrants and minorities.” It was moved and
seconded to amend the amendment by adding “war
refugees” after “immigrants;” this was adopted by general
consent. Noting the orders of the day, the chair put close of
debate on the amendment to a vote, which carried [Yes: 836;
No: 71]. With consent of the body, the amendment was
amended to insert the new resolve as second-last. The
amendment carried [Yes: 780; No: 175]. There being
objection to the chair’s proposal to close debate, it was put
to a vote, which also carried [Yes: 758; No: 211]; the resolution
was adopted as amended [Yes: 891; No: 106].
Recognition of 125 Years of International Mission Efforts:
Eurasia Region
The Rev. James Krikava, invited to share a presentation
on LCMS mission work in Eurasia, opened with the apostolic
greeting in Czech, the language of “the most atheistic
country in the world,” where he served as a missionary. He
spoke of the “salt of wisdom” giving savor to the region—the
word of Christ crucified, the wisdom and power of God (1
Cor. 1:23–24). He introduced Dr. Charles Cortright, who
serves as a theological educator, and his wife, Connie.
Cortright serves with the Rev. Jerrald Lawson at Koltushi
Seminary near St. Petersburg, Russia. He described his
travels and teaching, aimed at deepening understanding of
the Gospel and countering the false doctrine that can creep
easily into isolated and young churches. Krikava returned to
challenge the assumption that Europe knows Christianity
and Lutheran doctrine—this is not the case. “Post-modern
secularism has silenced the word of Christ in many places.”
The need for church planting is urgent. Krikava by video
introduced Pastor Sorin Trifa, an alliance missionary and
church planter from Romania. Krikava concluded by
describing the “befriending hand” of mercy work that goes
along with proclamation in the region, and introduced his
family, which represents “the results of four generations of
missionaries in our Eurasia region;” he accompanied his
grandchildren in concluding the presentation by their
singing of A Mighty Fortress in Czech.

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

Committee 2: International Witness
Rocky Mountain District President Roger Schlechte read
and introduced, for his committee, Res. 2-04, “To Give
Thanks to God for the Work of the Office of International
Mission in the Eurasia Region” (TB, 1:56). Without
discussion, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 744; No: 1].
Convention Essay: “Joy:fully Lutheran: Pray”
[The entire text of Rev. Hoem’s paper is printed elsewhere
in these 2019 Convention Proceedings.]
As Committee 10 approached, it was moved and
seconded that Floor Committee 9 be required to bring a
resolution based on Ov. 9-22, “To Consider Voting Privilege
for Commissioned Ministers,” previously removed from
Omnibus B, at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday. The motion, a special
order, failed [Yes: 392; No: 537].
Committee 10: Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution
Committee 10 Chairman John Wille was called up to
continue the business handled by his committee. Res. 1002A, “To Amend Bylaws to Clarify Call and Roster Matters”
(TB, 2B:273–79), was read and introduced by the committee.
After discussion, the question was called. Before this
proceeded to a vote, a delegate contested the ruling of the
chair that a single prior non-queue speaker sufficed to
render calling the question in order. The ruling of the chair
was sustained by a vote [Yes: 532; No: 403], but closure of
debate failed [Yes: 607; No: 356].
It was moved to amend the resolution by restoring, in
Section A, the original language of Bylaw 2.12.1.5. After
clarification by the Secretary that reverting this single bylaw
would result in an inconsistency, and as the revision had not
been reviewed by the CCM as required, the chair ruled this
amendment out of order.
It was moved and seconded to separate Section C of the
resolution from Sections A and B; the motion failed [Yes: 286;
No: 666]. After additional discussion, it was moved to refer
the resolution back to the committee to address the
language of Bylaw 2.12.1.5 and its impact on workers whose
service may cross district lines. With the orders of the day
called, the chair opted to continue, whereupon a motion to
end debate was made, seconded, and carried [Yes: 891; No:
75]. The motion to refer failed [Yes: 230; No: 747]. The chair
put to a vote the ending of debate on the main motion; this
carried [Yes: 868; No: 101]. Res. 10-02A was adopted as
presented [Yes: 875; No: 110].
Committee 9: Structure and Administration
Committee 9 Chairman Don Fondow continued the work
of his committee. Res. 9-06, “To Add Bylaw 3.3.4.10 to Clarify
Access by the Board of Directors to Information of Synod
Agencies” (TB, 1:132–33), was read and introduced by the
committee. After discussion by the assembly, the question
was called [Yes: 804; No: 148] and the resolution was
adopted [Yes: 800; No: 147].
Minutes