LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 65

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
This ministry plan has been extremely well-received,
with a great deal of appreciation throughout the Synod
and also from outside of our Synod, from other church bodies that share our biblical position on homosexuality.
Copies of the ministry plan were provided to overseas
Lutheran churches as well. A copy of this document is provided in the appendix section of the Workbook.
National/District Task Force

The 1998 convention called for the creation of a task
force to study the Synod as it relates to itself on the national, District, and Circuit levels (1998 Resolution 7-02A).
The convention directed me as President to appoint this
group in consultation and with the concurrence of the
Synod’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and I
followed through on this directive and appointed this
group.
The task force had its initial meeting in January 1999
and met regularly throughout the triennium, asking for
and receiving the input of all the various entities of the
Synod at every level of the Synod. The task force has been
meeting regularly since the last convention. Their report
and recommendations are being shared in a separate publication from the Workbook. You can also view their materials on the Internet at www.lcms.org/taskforce/relations.html.
Clearly the task force’s recommendations will be an important matter of business at our convention, and I encourage you to read and study their materials for yourself
so that you will be prepared to participate meaningfully
in the discussion of these materials. I will have more to
say about the task force’s recommendations in the second
part of my report to the Synod.
Church Worker Recruitment and Retention Action
Group

In response to the growing need throughout the Synod
to address in a very purposeful manner the growing shortage of pastors and other church workers, I appointed this
group and asked Dr. Karl Barth to serve as chairman of
this group. I appreciate the work they have been doing and
know our Synod will as well. Their report is contained elsewhere in the Workbook and I encourage you to review it.
Words of Appreciation

There are so many other groups and entities that I
could mention here in my report, but let me just conclude
by highlighting several groups, organizations, entities,
and people who continue to be such a blessing to our
Synod and to the work that I as synodical President have
been given to do.
The First Vice-President and Praesidium

It is particularly appropriate and important that I
thank Dr. Robert Kuhn for his years of service to our
Synod as First Vice-President. He has served as First
Vice-President for two terms with zeal, dedication, and enthusiasm for the many and varied tasks that are part of
this position in our Synod. I have deeply appreciated his
support, encouragement, and friendship, qualities that are
so important in one who is elected to support and assist

65

the Synod’s President as a partner with him in the work of
the President’s Office. So, to Dr. Kuhn, I know I join so
many across our Synod when I say, “Bob, thank you and
may God bless and go with you and your dear wife, Judy!”
I also need to indicate my deep appreciation to our
Synod’s faithful Praesidium members: Dr. Robert King,
Second Vice-President; Dr. William Weinrich, Third VicePresident; Dr. Roger Pittelko, Fourth Vice-President; and
Dr. Wallace Schulz, Fifth Vice-President. I very much appreciate the wisdom and fraternal advice and counsel
these fine men have provided me through this past triennium. I thank them deeply for their service in this unique
way to our Synod. They have truly been a blessing to our
Synod.
Our Districts and District Staff Members

Our Synod’s 35 Districts are providing much-needed
assistance and support to the congregations of our Synod,
and we certainly do thank God for them and for all of our
District Presidents and the staff members at our District
offices. Their work is often challenging and at times frustrating and extremely difficult as they work through a
whole host of issues that come up in the day-to-day life of
our church workers and our congregations. Their resources are spread thinly across the areas for which they
are responsible, and, like everyone else, there is always
much more to do than there is time. So let us remember
our District Presidents and our District staff members in
our prayers and work to encourage and support them in
their activities and responsibilities.
Our Synod’s Auxiliaries and Other Service Organizations

Here I have in mind the Lutheran Laymen’s League
and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. The LLL
and the LWML continue to remain for our Synod excellent
partners in the great mission work our Lord has given us
to do. Throughout our Synod these groups support so
many good efforts at reaching out boldly with the Gospel.
The LLL’s theme, “Bringing Christ to the Nations and the
Nations to the Church,” and the LWML’s “Lutheran
Women in Mission” capture the primary goal and purpose
of these two fine lay organizations in our Synod. We thank
God for them and need to continue to encourage them in
the important tasks they perform here in our country and
around the world through all their various mission efforts,
programs, gifts, and projects.
And then, as we think of our Synod’s auxiliaries, we
also are reminded of all the Recognized Service Organizations and Social Ministry Organizations that are affiliated
with our Synod through our various boards and agencies.
They are performing on our behalf a whole host of mission
and charitable activities across our nation and around the
world.
President’s Office Staff

I want here to express a special word of appreciation
for the fine work of the staff of the President’s Office. Rev.
Paul T. McCain and Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb have served me
now for many years as my assistants. These two men have
performed their duties with great devotion and dedication
to their Lord and Savior and with diligence, care, and con200l Convention Proceedings