LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 47

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
The committee chairman announced the conclusion of
his committee’s business and introduced its members to the
convention. They were thanked for their service.
Committee 5: Higher Education
Res. 5-11A (TB, p. 281), “To Work Collaboratively re Issues of Pastoral Leadership,” was presented by the chairman of Committee 5, Rev. James Kalthoff, President of the
Missouri District. After brief comment, debate was ended
by voice vote and the resolution was adopted (Y:749;
N:106).
Res. 5-12 (TB, p. 101), “To Develop Plan for Education,
Training, and Certification of Lutheran Counselors,” was
presented by the committee secretary. The resolution was
adopted without debate (Y:828; N:34).
Res. 5-13 (TB, p. 102), “To Encourage Professors on Sabbatical Leave to Be Active in Congregational Life,” was presented by the committee. The newly titled resolution was
adopted (Y:835; N:28).
Res. 5-14A (TB, p. 282), “To Respectfully Decline Overtures,” was presented. The resolution was adopted without
debate (Y:832; N:29).
The committee chairman announced the completion of
the business of the committee. He introduced the members
of the committee, who were thanked with the applause of
the assembly.
A delegate offered as a motion the proposed resolution
printed on page 373 of the Friday issue of Today’s Business,
“To Call for a Study of Why Congregations Are Not Growing.” The Orders of the Day were moved and seconded. The
vote (Y:592; N:256) sustained the Orders of the Day and the
proposed resolution was not accepted for consideration.
Committee 8: National/District Task Force
Res. 8-11 (p. 153), “To Celebrate 100 Years of SELC
Blessings,” was presented by the committee. President Carl
Krueger of the SELC District spoke regarding his District
and its anniversary. The resolution was adopted (Y:803;
N:4).
Res. 8-12A (TB, p. 213), “To Respectfully Decline Overtures,” was presented by the committee and adopted
(Y:782; N:20).
The committee announced the completion of its work
and was thanked for its service to the Synod and the convention.
Committee 6: Human Care
Res. 6-07 (p. 109), “To Encourage Participation in Social
Security,” was presented by the committee chairman, Rev.
William Diekelman, President of the Oklahoma District.
After brief discussion, debate was ended by voice vote. The
resolution was carried (Y:623; N:93).
Res. 6-05A (p. 179), “To Encourage Participation in President Bush’s Faith-based and Community Initiatives,” was
presented. Dr. Kuhn described some of the LCMS involve-

47

ment in this initiative as it is taking shape in Washington,
D.C. Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of the
Board for Human Care Ministries, provided information
and encouragement. Discussion followed. A motion was
made and seconded to amend the resolution by adding the
word “Cautious” to its title and to delete the first Resolve.
The Chair asked the assembly whether it was ready to vote
and debate was ended (Y:682; N:95). The amendment was
carried (Y:443; N:349) and the resolution was adopted
(Y:603; N:193).
The committee asked to use its brief remaining time for
a presentation on personal financial planning. The chairman then thanked his committee for its hard work. The
committee was thanked by the convention.
Special Commendation
The following motion resolution was introduced and seconded from the floor of the convention:
WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Kuhn has served the LCMS
faithfully for many years (First Vice-President and President); and
WHEREAS, The LCMS has the practice of conferring
the Office of President Emeritus; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention confer the
title of “President Emeritus” on Dr. Robert Kuhn with
all the rights and privileges previously given to the Office of President Emeritus.
The resolution was adopted by a standing ovation and
the singing of the Common Doxology.
Committee 9: Registration, Credentials, Elections
Rev. William Hoesman, chairman of Committee 9, presented the final registration report: 383 advisory and 1,194
voting delegates, totaling 1,577 registered delegates.
Adjournment
Dr. Kuhn offered the words of St. Paul, “I thank my God
always for every remembrance of you,” to close the convention, calling this “a precious and special moment in my life,”
thanking the assembly for the honor and thoughtfulness
shown to him and for the partnership as brothers and sisters in Christ. He spoke of moving forward as people redeemed by the blood of Christ who wait for the end of our
faith, concluding: “Even if we don’t meet again in this life,
we will meet again in eternity. God loves you and so do I.”
Taking up the same historic gavel with which he opened
the convention, he declared the convention closed “in the
Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
Devotion
The Rev. Dr. Paul Grime, Convention Chaplain, led the
closing devotion.
Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary

200l Convention Proceedings