LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 41

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
stitute Resolution 3-08B. The earlier decision to adopt the
resolution was sustained (Y:603; N:533).
Year of the Child
Youth Representative Christopher Schelp asked the
eighth “Year of the Child” question of the convention: “How
many children were baptized in LCMS congregations in
2000?” After allowing the delegates to choose an answer, he
provided the correct answer: 44,195. He also noted that less
than half of those children will remain with the church to
be confirmed.
Committee 5: Higher Education
The Chair called on the chairman of Floor Committee 5,
Rev. James Kalthoff, President of the Missouri District.
Res. 5-08 (TB, p. 99), “To Extend the Mission of the
Church through the Education System,” was read by a
member of the committee. After brief discussion, a motion
was made and seconded to amend the resolution by inserting the words “congregations, preschools, elementary and
secondary schools” into the fourth WHEREAS before the word
“colleges.” Question was called on the amendment and the
main motion (Y:788; N:38). The amendment carried (Y:735;
N:175) and the resolution was adopted (Y:874; N:52).
Res. 5-04A (TB, p. 325), “To Amend Bylaw to Restore
Three-year Terms for Regents for Colleges and Universities,” was presented by a member of the committee. After
brief discussion of the general term limitations already provided by the Bylaws of the Synod, the question was called
(Y:939; N:34) and the resolution was adopted (Y:849; N:136).
Committee 2: Congregational Services
Rev. Herbert Mueller, President of the Southern Illinois
District and chairman of Committee 2, was called to the
podium to present the business of his committee.
A motion was made from the floor that committees be
directed to read only the Resolves when resolutions are presented. The motion carried (Y:647; N:334). The assembly
was reminded by the Chair that material in the WHEREAS
sections may still be discussed and amended.
Res. 2-05A (TB, p. 323), “To Continue to Foster Discussion on Worship,” was presented to the assembly. After discussion, debate was ended on the resolution (Y:834; N:132)
and the resolution was adopted (Y:895; N:150).
Res. 2-08A (TB, p. 169), “Ministry to Homosexuals and
Their Families,” was presented. The committee chairman
provided comment regarding the purpose of the resolution.
During discussion, a motion was made and seconded to
amend the resolution by adding the following: “WHEREAS,
There are individuals who are homosexual only in orientation as distinguished from homosexuals in practice; and
WHEREAS, Failure to make this distinction can be hurtful
and destructive to those who are struggling with their gay
orientation; therefore be it Resolved, That we make every
effort in our church communications (sermons, publications) to make clear that homosexual orientation is not sinful.” After discussion, debate was ended on the amendment
and the resolution (Y:989; N:81). The amendment failed
(Y:130; N:953). The resolution was adopted without amendment (Y:1,034; N:52).

41

Res. 2-09A (TB, p. 324), “To Encourage Appropriate
Evaluation of This Far by Faith,” was presented for action
by the convention. A motion to amend was made and seconded to change the second Resolve to read: “Resolved, That
congregations who have considered the use of This Far by
Faith be encouraged to evaluate its contents on the basis
of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, the report
provided by Dr. Barry, and the guidelines being prepared
by the Commission on Worship;” and to add as a third Resolve: “Resolved, That congregations refrain from using
This Far by Faith until such time as our Synod’s doctrinal
concerns have been addressed by the publisher.” The question called on the amendment (Y:993; N:72) and the amendment failed (Y:259; N:827). Debate continued on the main
motion until the Chair asked whether the assembly was
ready to vote (Y:1,071; N:26). The resolution was adopted
without amendment (Y:1,021; N:77).
The committee chairman asked the permission of the
Chair for a presentation by the youth representatives to the
convention. They presented to President Kuhn a set of the
Communion ware that was commissioned to be used for the
opening service of the national youth gathering in New Orleans.
A motion was made and seconded to again read the
WHEREAS sections of the resolutions. The motion was defeated (Y:337; N:552).
Special Presentations
The Chair introduced Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, past President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, who spoke
to the convention (speech to be included in the Proceedings
of the convention).
The Chair introduced Dr. H. George Anderson, Bishop
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. He
brought greetings from the people of his church and expressed deep regret for the distance that has grown between the two church bodies. Recalling instances in the
Scriptures where estranged brothers were able to come
back together, he expressed trust that God will make a way
possible.
The Rev. Professor Thomas P. Nass of the Wisconsin
Evangelical Lutheran Church, a member of that Synod’s
Commission on Inter-Church Relations, was introduced,
and Rev. Gotfried Spieth of the Lutheran Church European
Russia, assistant to Bishop Siegfried Springer, brought
greetings to the convention.
Pastor Carlos Winterle of Brazil, Bishop David Piso of New
Guinea, and President Abiut Fajardo Ruiz of Mexico addressed
the convention as representatives of their church bodies.
Recess
The Chair announced that the convention would be recessed until two o’clock in the afternoon.

Session 10
Thursday, P.M., July 19, 2001
Memorial Devotion
President Robert Kuhn asked the assembly to come to
order. He explained that it is the Synod’s custom at its con200l Convention Proceedings