LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 25

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

Session 3
Monday A.M., July 16, 2001
Opening Devotion
Dr. Robert Kuhn, President of the Synod, called the
meeting to order and introduced Dr. Robert King, First
Vice-President of the Synod, who led the convention in its
morning devotion.
Convention Essay
Dr. Robert King assumed the Chair of the convention
and introduced the convention essayist, the Rev. Dr. Jeff
Gibbs, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Dr. King explained that the
convention will hear three essays on the theme of church
fellowship, as instructed by the 1998 convention. An outline of Dr. Gibbs’s essay is provided in the Monday issue of
Today’s Business, page 205.
Following the essay, Dr. King introduced the Rev. Dr.
Scott Murray, Pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church of
Houston, Texas, who provided a response to the essay using
case studies to underscore the fellowship principles observed by our Synod.
The Rev. Dr. Karl Barth, member of the Board of Directors of the Synod, offered a closing prayer in keeping with
the encouragement of the 1998 convention that the 2001
convention be a time of prayer as well as study of church
fellowship.
Representative of the Mayor of St. Louis
The Chair informed the convention that Mayor Francis
Slay, Mayor of the City of St. Louis, has sent his regrets
that he cannot be present to greet the convention. The
mayor was represented by Ms. Melba Moore of City Hall
who brought greetings on behalf of the mayor.
Committee 6: Human Care
Dr. Robert Kuhn assumed the Chair and called on Rev.
William Diekelman, President of the Oklahoma District
and chairman of Floor Committee 6, to present the business of his committee.
Res. 6-01 (TB, p. 105), “To Commend President’s Commission on the Sanctity of Life and Establish a Sanctity of
Life Standing Committee,” was read to the convention. Rev.
Raymond Hartwig was recognized for his efforts as chairman of the commission, received the thanks of the convention on the commission’s behalf, and responded to questions
regarding its membership and activity. Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of the Board for Human Care
Ministries, provided explanation for the projected costs projected by Floor Committee 4 (TB, p. 161). Debate was closed
(Y:1,030; N:106) and the resolution was adopted as presented (Y:1, 042; N:82).
Res. 6-02A (TB, p. 178), “To Reiterate Synod’s Stance on
Abortion,” was presented by the committee. In the discussion that followed, a motion was made to amend the second
WHEREAS to add after the word “sin” the words “unless it is
done to save the life of the mother.” During discussion, the
Chair responded to a point of order by asking the convention whether it wished to go into a pro-con mode of debate.

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The convention responded in the negative (Y:344; N:771).
A substitute motion to the amendment was offered to add
the words “namely, the attempt to destroy the unborn”
after the word “abortion.” This motion was declined by vote
according to the Behnken Rule (Y:526; N:559). The mover
and second for the amendment agreed to substitute the addition of the word “elective” before the word “abortion” in
the second WHEREAS and the change was made by common
consent. After further discussion, a motion to terminate debate was carried for both the amendment and the main motion. The amendment to add “elective” was carried (Y:711;
N:423). The amended resolution was adopted by a 90.3%
vote (Y:1,053; N:76). Due to the Orders of the Day, the committee was dismissed until a later time.
Committee 8: National/District Synod Relations
The Chair introduced Rev. Ronald Garwood, President
of the Wyoming District and chairman of Floor Committee
8, who thanked the members of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations for their untiring work on
behalf of the Synod and explained the origin and purpose
of the task force’s work.
Res. 8-01 (TB, p. 143), “To Clearly Delineate Ministry of
Visitation in Bylaws,” was introduced by the committee.
The Chair put before the convention the question whether
to read all of the Bylaw changes that are being proposed.
The delegates voted that the Bylaws not be read (Y:155;
N:912). The convention discussed the resolution at length.
Motion was made and seconded to amend the resolution by
adding the words “and participating in the sufferings of
Christ” at the end of paragraph d, 4, of proposed Bylaw 4.71
(line 49). A motion to end debate of both the amendment
and the resolution carried (Y:955; N:141). The amendment
failed (Y:508; N:585). The unamended resolution was
adopted (Y:725; N:384).
A delegate called attention to Standing Rule 6, asking
that debate follow a pro-con mode. The Chair reported that
the vote earlier in the session was carried by a two-thirds
majority and that the standing rule was superseded by the
decision of the delegates.
Res. 8-02 (TB, p. 146), “That Synodical Vice-Presidents
Two through Five Continue to Be Elected and Serve Synodwide and that They Be Placed on the Ballot by Congregational Nomination,” was read by a member of the committee. During discussion, a delegate further explained his
prior request for a pro-con mode of debate, emphasizing the
allowance for discretion of the Chair. The Chair noted
again the previous decision of the convention to not enter a
pro-con mode. A motion was made and seconded to amend
Res. 8-02 by adding a new seventh Resolve as follows: “Resolved, That should one or more of the properly nominated
candidates for the offices of Vice-Presidents two through
five be elected President or First Vice-President, their
name(s) shall be removed from the ballot without requiring
the addition of other names to the ballot; and be it further.”
Debate was ended on the amendment (Y:994; N:101) and
the amendment was approved (Y:995; N:85). As discussion
resumed, the Secretary reported to the convention that
upon the advice of the Commission on Constitutional Matters a correction should be made throughout the entire res200l Convention Proceedings