LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 43

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
Resolved, That the Synod instruct its seminaries to
work with Districts and local personnel in the training of
men for ministry in these specialized situations; and be
it further
Resolved, That the seminaries work with the Districts to develop alternate route programs to train men
for pastoral ministry to special ethnic and linguistic
groups (Bylaw 6.91 2, 1998 Handbook, p. 114) while incorporating appropriate District and local programs; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Board of Directors is instructed to
provide financial resources for the alternate route programs; and be it finally
Resolved, That we pray the Lord of the harvest that
He would send forth laborers into His harvest (Matt.
9:37–38).
The Chair instructed that the WHEREAS sections be read
in this case since the material is new to the delegates. A
motion was made to amend by inserting before the final
two Resolves: “Resolved, That this DELTO program ultimately replace lay ministry (‘deacons’) programs; and be it
further Resolved, That a progress report be given to the
next convention; and be it further.” A motion was made to
call the question on the amendment and the main resolution. Before the question was called, a motion was made
and seconded to refer the resolution back to the committee
upon request of the committee. This motion was carried
(Y:906; N:163).
Res. 3-11 (TB, p. 77), “To Undertake a Synodical Study
of Book of Concord,” was introduced by the committee. Debate was ended immediately (Y:833; N:209) and the resolution was adopted (Y:959; N:106).
Res. 3-23 (TB, p. 279), “To Thank God for Dr. Robert H.
King’s Service,” was presented and adopted with a standing
ovation.
Res. 3-24 (TB, p. 279), “To Thank God for Dr. Robert T.
Kuhn’s Service,” was presented and adopted by a standing
ovation and by singing the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our
God.”
Res. 3-12 (TB, p. 78), “To Encourage Baptism of Infants
at Earliest Opportunity,” was presented by the committee.
Debate was ended by voice vote and the resolution was
adopted (Y:1,064; N:12).
Res. 3-16 (TB, p. 80), “To Encourage Use of Only Wine in
Administration of Lord’s Supper,” was introduced. An
amendment was moved to replace the existing fifth
WHEREAS with the following: “WHEREAS, Both theological
faculties of the LCMS have offered opinions (Gutachten) (cf.
Concordia Theological Quarterly 45:1/2 [Jan./Apr. 1981],
77–80; Theological Observer 17:1 [Jan. 1991], 4–6), supporting the use of wine, or reduced-alcohol wine, offering
the clear teaching of the Evangelical Lutheran Church with
regard to this matter from the Scriptures, the Confessions,
and the teachers of the church; and.” Debate was ended on
the amendment by voice vote and the amendment was carried (Y:748; N:310). Discussion continued on the amended
resolution. A substitute resolution was offered:

43

Proposed Substitute Resolution
for Resolution 3-16
To Encourage Use of Fruit of the
Vine in the Lord’s Supper
WHEREAS, Any guidelines for celebrating the Lord’s
Supper must originate in God’s Word; and
WHEREAS, The Constitution of the Synod, Art. II,
refers to “The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and
norm of faith and of practice”; and
WHEREAS, God’s Word says in Luke 22:17–18, “And
taking the cup and giving thanks He said, take this and
distribute it among yourselves. For I say to you that I
will certainly not drink from the fruit of the vine until
the kingdom of God comes”; and
WHEREAS, God’s Word says in Mark 14:24–25, “And
He said to them, this is My blood of the covenant which
is being poured out on behalf of many. Truly I say to you
that I will certainly not any longer drink of the fruit of
the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God”; and
WHEREAS, God’s Word says in Matthew 26:27–29
“And taking a cup and giving thanks He gave to them
saying, drink of it all of you, for this is My blood of the
covenant being poured out for the many for forgiveness
of sins. And I say to you that I will certainly not drink of
the fruit of the vine until that day whenever I drink with
you anew in the kingdom of My Father”; and
WHEREAS, The word wine (oinos) is used in the New
Testament 33 times, but never in relation to the Lord’s
Supper; and
WHEREAS, God’s Word only uses “the fruit of the vine”
in regards to the content of the cup; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations be encouraged to
use only the fruit of the vine as one of the elements for
the Sacrament.
The Chair asked that this motion be offered again when
the committee returns.
Special Guest
The chair introduced Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, who was present at the convention.
Committee 1: Missions
Res. 1-05 (TB, p. 51), “To Promote Urban Mission Partnerships,” was presented by the committee. After brief discussion, debate was ended by voice vote. The resolution was
adopted (Y:1,004; N:15).
Res. 1-06A (TB, p. 163), “To Utilize the Gifts and Talents of All Members,” was introduced by the committee
after several editorial changes. The committee made
changes to the resolution before presenting it to the convention. A motion was made and seconded to amend the
resolution by deleting the third WHEREAS. After discussion
of the amendment, debate on the amendment and question
was ended (Y:986; N:45). The amendment was defeated
(Y:317; N:719). The resolution was adopted as edited
(Y:856; N:190).
200l Convention Proceedings