LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 23

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
and seconded to adopt the resolution, a motion followed to
amend Resolution B by removing Overtures 3-26−32; 3-35−
44; 3-46; and 3-48−51 (lines 23–25). After discussion, this
motion to amend failed. A motion was also made and seconded to remove Overture 7-117 (line 40) from the resolution. Following a successful motion to end debate on the
amendment and the main motion, the motion to amend
failed and Omnibus Resolution B without amendment was
carried.
The Secretary was asked to provide explanation of Omnibus Resolution D (TB, p. 158). The resolution was
adopted as presented.
Words from President-Elect
The Chair called upon President-elect Gerald Kieschnick
to come forward to briefly address the convention. He led
the convention in prayer, asking for the blessing and guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the Synod and this convention.
He also prayed for personal blessings to provide faithful
leadership to the Synod and read cherished words from
Jeremiah 29.
He acknowledged the other candidates for the Office of
President and pledged that he would work closely with
them in the future. He also acknowledged the support of
many others and of the Council of Presidents, offering special words of support for the District Presidents and their
spouses and pledging to work closely with them to accomplish the mission of the church. He also called members of
his family to the platform to introduce them and receive the
recognition of the convention.
He encouraged the convention to elect those who could
best provide the necessary leadership to the Synod to enable it to be about the business of the church, sharing the
message that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
Himself. Using a touching story of a father rescuing his son,
he reminded the convention that there is an entire world of
people out there clinging to everything they can find, just
waiting for the word of salvation to be shared with them.
Committee 1: Missions
The Chair called on President Arthur Scherer of the
Southeastern District, chairman of Committee 1, to introduce the business to be presented by his committee to the
convention.
Res. 1-01 (TB, p. 49), “To ‘Tell the Good News about
Jesus,’ ” was read and adopted by the convention as presented.
Res. 1-02 (TB, p. 49), “To Be Passionate for the Great
Commission,” was read. A motion was made and seconded
to amend the resolution by adding the additional Resolve
That as a reminder of the primacy of this resolution, all future resolutions passed at this convention shall have inserted into it the following statement: ‘Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be used to help carry out
“The Great Commission” and shall not in any way detract
or distract from the primary mission of God’s Kingdom here
on Earth. We will remember 1-02!’ ” After discussion, the
amendment was adopted. A motion to amend the resolution
by replacing the fourth Resolve (lines 8 and 9) with the
words “That we seek to resolve the differences in doctrine

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and practice which cause dissension and division among us
by honest and prayerful discussion, so that we are able to
live in genuine and God-pleasing harmony as God’s people”
was discussed. The Chair informed that discussion would
continue when Floor Committee 1 was again called.
Tribute to Former President Dr. A. L. Barry
Dr. Kuhn introduced a video tribute to Dr. Barry comprised of film clips from his years of service as President.
Dr. Kuhn added: “By God’s grace, Al Barry had confidence
in the same Jesus whose Good News he so wanted to tell. In
a sense, even in death, he was reminding us all what was
really important as we were making preparations for this
convention. I invite you to stand and sing a portion of the
hymn with which we began Al’s funeral service, ‘Jesus
Lives, the Victory’s Won.’ ” After singing the hymn, the convention was recessed for lunch.

Session 2
Sunday P.M., July 15, 2001
Opening Devotion
Dr. Karl Barth, member of the Board of Directors, provided the midday devotion, pointing out today’s need for a
double portion of the Spirit, as was the case with Elijah as
he faced the prophets of Baal. He reminded of the assurance that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us, His
flock, the Kingdom.
Floor Committee 3: Theology and Church Relations
Rev. Roger Pittelko, Third Vice-President of the Synod
and chairman of Floor Committee 3, introduced the work
of his committee.
Res. 3-01 (TB, p. 65), “To Thank God for the Ministry of
the Reverend Doctor Alvin L. Barry,” was adopted without
discussion.
Res. 3-04 (TB, p. 68), “To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania,”
was read to the convention. Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Chairman
of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, was
asked to provide additional comment in support of the resolution. A motion to amend the resolution by deleting the
fifth WHEREAS was discussed. After debate was ended, the
amendment failed. Discussion resumed until the motion
was successfully called and the resolution was adopted.
Bishop Jonas Kalvanas and Pastor Saulius Juozaitis, representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania, were called forward to the podium to sign the fellowship documents. The convention rose and sang the doxology,
after which Bishop Kalvanas addressed the convention.
Res. 3-05A (TB, p. 171), “To Formally Declare Altar and
Pulpit Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Latvia,” was read by the committee. Dr. Nafzger again
provided additional information, after which extensive discussion followed. A motion was made and seconded to add
the following Resolve “That this declaration of fellowship
does not acknowledge that those women who have been ordained are recognized as ordained clergy who can serve in
the capacity of ordained clergy in the LCMS.” Special
Standing Rule 14 was invoked and the question to end de200l Convention Proceedings