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LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 69

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

retaining the faithful. These matters are among the most
important we’ll consider during this week.
There is so much more to share with you, but I’ll have
to let it unfold before your eyes.
We have challenges galore, but we have even more
opportunities. You’ll be voting on resolutions on our
wonderful global work and partnerships, on national work
and church planting, and you’ll learn about each of our
international regions. You’ll hear about Every One His
Witness and the great work that’s training thousands to be
stronger witnesses to the Gospel in their daily lives. You’ll
hear about contemporary issues and challenges we must
address. We’ll discuss seminary education, universities and
much more.
Finally, I would like to express my love and thanks to
the Council of Presidents. It’s the strongest I’ve ever seen it,
both theologically and collegially. President Rev. Dr. David
Maier and the program committee are a pleasure to work
with. Their burdens are heavy, but they bear them with
faith, patience and often with good humor. They require our
prayers.
I thank God also for the Praesidium. They are men
extraordinarily gifted. The Rev. Christopher Esget is a font
of deep knowledge of the Scriptures and pastoral wisdom.
The Rev. Dr. Scott Murray is an amazing pastor likewise —
always patient, always pastoral. Chaplain John Wohlrabe Jr.
is a sailor’s sailor, with decades of experience caring for

President’s Report, Part 3

service men and women in deepest love. The Rev. Nabil
Nour is one of a kind. He’s even rarer than that! Among
pastoral theologians on the Praesidium who know Greek,
Latin and German, Nabil’s reading knowledge of the Old
Testament is a font of joy. He grew up speaking Hebrew with
his Jewish friends in Nazareth. I wish you could experience
our meetings! The praesidium is just what it is intended to
be — a great source of counsel and assistance as I carry out
the duties impossible for any one mortal. These are parish
pastors, several with Ph.Ds.
This year, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus is not standing for
re-election as a vice-president. We shall miss him. His
thoughtful, humble, Christian advice and encouragement
have meant the world to me.
And of course, I thank God for First Vice-President
Herb Mueller. He has been the right man at just the right
time. Words do not suffice in expressing my love and
thankfulness. Herb and Faith, thank you. As you may know,
Herb recently had a tumor removed from his brain and is
now undergoing intense treatment. We are overjoyed that
he will be able to deliver his essay on joy, before heading
back to St. Louis tomorrow.
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day that the Lord
has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 69