LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 5

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PREFACE
To the Ends of the Earth
It was most fitting that as the three-year celebration of
the 150th anniversary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod came to a close, it should do so under a theme
which extends that of the anniversary itself. Based on the
commission of the Lord Jesus Christ, the obvious answer
to the question of “where” we are “Sent Forth by God’s
Blessing” is “To the Ends of the Earth.” The logo which accompanies that theme and identifies the 60th regular convention of the Synod reminds us that “the message” to be
taken “To the Ends of the Earth” is that of the crucified,
but also risen and victorious Lord, Jesus Christ, who by
His death and resurrection has “destroyed death and
brought life and immortality to light.” Baptized in the
name of the triune God, we have been joined to Him so intimately that His death becomes our death and His life,
our life, a life lived and “energized” by His presence and
power. So it is that we go “To the Ends of the Earth” with
the word of His grace, empowered by His Spirit.
With a view to achieving this goal, the Synod will be
embarking on a 3/10 emphasis of intensive 3 year preparation for an unprecedented 10 year effort to share the
Gospel. Neither of these is, of course, exclusive of the
other. While preparation takes place, witness will also
occur, for we cannot but speak of what we hear in the
Word and as we witness there will be need to continue to
be empowered through Word and Sacrament. It is a most
challenging vision and mission, but we have a gracious,
yet all-powerful God who is more than equal to the challenge. It is on Him that the church depends.
The Handbook of the Synod describes the national convention, among other things, as the “principal legislative
assembly, which amends the Constitution and Bylaws,
considers and takes action on reports and overtures, and
handles appropriate appeals.” The 1998 convention certainly did that as it gave considerable attention to the report of the President’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Structure. It’s adoption, after some amendment, will do much
toward modifying certain constitutional and Bylaw provisions which required clarification for purposes of identifying structural and functional relationships of the entities
of the Synod. Likewise, the major amendment of Bylaws
governing higher education will be most helpful in dealing with the role and relationships of the Board for Higher
Education and the boards of regents and administration
of each institution.
But, as the Handbook also points out, “the national convention of the Synod shall afford an opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital information.” This convention also achieved
those purposes through the Bible study/essays which were
presented on all but one of the days on which the delegates took up their tasks. Beginning with the inspiring
Communion service with which the convention began and
the Sunday worship service which focused on the close of

the 150th anniversary celebration, opportunity was provided daily for joining in praise to the triune God, guided
by Hymnal Supplement ‘98, which was introduced to the
assembly. Delegates were introduced to new hymns and
worship forms which may well, at least in part, become
part of a future hymnal that will be under preparation in
the years ahead.
A convention does not just happen. It requires many
hours of work and the cooperation and assistance of numerous individuals and groups without which it could not
function. Thanks was expressed by the convention to all
who were involved, including the dedicated work of the
Southern Illinois District Convention Committee and the
faithful service of the pages, the daily producers of Today’s
Business, and the excellent work of Dr. D. Ray Halm as
Assistant Secretary, using some of the latest technology,
the efficient service of convention planner Lynne Newman
Marvin, and the hard-working floor committees, as well
as the many, many others, too numerous to mention. By
a rising vote, the convention expressed its appreciation for
all of the above in addition to the President, the Secretary,
the Chaplain, and the Parliamentarian.
In order to enable readers to make fullest use of the
Proceedings, the following explanation is offered.
Some resolutions have an A or B attached to their identifying number. This means that the resolution originally
prepared by the floor committee was later revised by the
committee, usually in response to reactions received before the opening of the convention. The number in parentheses below each resolution indicates the session in which
final action, if any, was taken. In some instances it might
be advisable to consult the minutes of that session for additional information. The comments within parentheses
below some resolutions provide still more information
from the records of both secretaries and from the minutes.
References to page numbers which appear in the minutes are references to issues of Today’s Business, a publication which contains the text of proposed resolutions prepared by the floor committees. The first issue of this
publication was sent to all congregations and delegates
prior to the convention and contained practically all resolutions. The daily issues distributed at the convention brought
the revised versions to the attention of the delegates.
In the resolutions adopted, the Synod has stated its intentions for its members as they seek to live and walk together under the grace of God in Jesus Christ, which daily
renews and strengthens them for service. Those resolutions remain to be implemented. May the Holy Spirit
guide and direct the efforts of all, at every level, local congregation, Circuit, District, and national so that in the
unity of the Spirit the Gospel will be taken “To the Ends of
the Earth” so that many will be brought to faith and ultimately to life eternal.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary
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