LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 77

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 77

mitted individuals who become LCMS pastors by theological con-
viction. They are a blessing of the Lord to our church.

I had the privilege of being the President’s representative at | |
District conventions last year. This provided the opportunity to ex-
perience not only a cross section of our church, but also to be made
aware of the phenomenal challenges and opportunities for ministry
the Lord is placing before us at a faster rate than we have people
power and financial resources to meet. Because of the wide variety
of opportunity it is difficult for one geographic section of the church
to know and appreciate what is taking place elsewhere. As you may
travel the U.S.A. and/or the world, do take time to recognize some
of the great things the Lord is doing in and through His church.

If the LCMS is going to be able to meet some of its new min-
istry opportunities, I feel it is imperative that the convention take
positive action on the proposal for a new way for providing Word
and Sacrament ministry in areas and to people where ministry is not
happening now. | would encourage that we not expend a lot of time
and effort on deciding office terminology, and in the process lose
sight of needed ministry the holder of the office would provide.
Many small congregations and ethnic groups are waiting to have
the Word of the Lord proclaimed to them.

Another agenda item that [ would encourage the convention to
approve is pulpit and altar fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Lithuania. Fellowship with other churches is also being
proposed—and I am supportive of it too—but I had the privilege of
getting to know and working with the Lithuanians (including two
trips to Lithuania) and have come to appreciate their theological
courage and conviction. Struggling to remain faithful and confes-
sional under communist control was not easy, but it made them a
strong and determined people. The exact same compliment applies
to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. We can be very help-
ful to these churches with our strength in teaching confessional the-
ology, and they can be helpful to us as examples of commitment to
Jesus Christ regardless of the cost.

Through our meetings with the representatives of the Evangeli-
cal Lutheran Church in America during the course of the triennium
it became very apparent that our church bodies are on two very di-
vergent courses. This was made evident in both the semiannual
meetings of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation and in the
three mectings of the special committee of ten representatives of
each church body called for by the 1998 LCMS convention action.
While the LCMS continues to focus on telling the Good News
about Jesus that is undergirded with the Gospel message and con-
fessional theology, the ELCA seems to be focusing on ecumenical
relationships at any and all cost. Other than a few practical ministry
matters there are few items about which there can be common dis-
cussion.

I would like to express a word of thanks to all of my co-workers
in the President's office. Special thanks to one who is more than a
colleague, but also a brother and a friend, Dr. Barry. [t has been a
privilege to work so closely with him for six years. Another special
expression of thanks must be given to Mrs. Brenda Schreder, a
trusted and committed administrative assistant. Without these two
individuals I would not have been able to fulfill the responsibilities
of my office.

As my time of full-time service to The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod, the church I dearly love, comes to a close, I commit to
you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, that I am still ready to serve
you and our church on a part-time basis in any way you may
choose. Thanks again for the privilege of being your First
Vice-President for the past six years.

Robert T. Kuhn, First Vice-President

R7-02
Secretary

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in this important of-
fice of our Synod and | am pleased to provide a brief report of its
activities.

The responsibilities of the Secretary of the Synod fall into three
categories: (1) Responsibilities under the Bylaws, including all the
customary duties of a corporate secretary as defined by Bylaws
3.141 and 3.143 and including specific duttes assigned throughout
the Handbook; (2) Responsibilities due to appointments or requests
made by the Prestdent and Board of Directors; and (3) Responsi-
bilities as a result of convention actions.

A number of these responsibilities require significant amounts
of time and attention, such as serving as the secretary of the Board
of Directors and the Commission on Constitutional Matters and pro-
viding oversight for our Synod’s Dispute Resolution Process. And
some of these responsibilities are a particular privilege, such as serv-
ing on the Board of Governors of Concordia Historical Institute, the
Board of Directors of Concordia Publishing House, and as the Pres-
ident’s representative with the Board tor Mission Services.

But not everything about the Office of the Secretary has been
business as usual during the past three years. There have also been
some highlights and special opportunities, including
¢ Serving as secretary for the convention-mandated Commission

on Structure, a responsibility that included preparation of the
Commission’s extensive reports detailing its recommendations
for a major revision of the Handbook.

¢ Serving as an advisory member of the convention-mandated Task
Force on National/District Synod Relations, which has met
monthly throughout the triennium.

* Serving as one of the Synod’s representatives and co-secretary
for the meetings of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation,
semi-annual meetings with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.

¢ Serving as one of the Synod’s representatives and presenter of
one of the discussion papers for 10 + 10 meetings with represen-
tatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to discuss
topics of interest and concern.

¢ Representing and presenting the report of the President of the
Synod at the Southern Illinois, Indiana, New England, and Mis-
souri District conventions.

In the past three years there have also been a number of oppor-
tunilies for offering special contributions in support of the work of
the Synod:

* Occasioned by preparations for the 200] convention and by the
turn of the century, a concentrated effort was made to obtain a
better than usual return of congregation parochial reports. This
resulted in a 94% return of the reports compared to the usual 60%
in recent years. This in turn provided opportunity to use accurate
data in the certification process for delegate representation at the
2001 convention.

A first-ever two-day meeting of the elected secretaries of the Dis-
tricts of the Synod was held at the International Center to provide
recognition and orientation for these important officers of our
Districts. Records management. dispute resolution, constitution
committees, and policy manuals were among the topics discussed.
Given the fact that nearly two-thirds of the District secretaries
were newly elected during the last round of District conventions,
this was a timely and beneficial meeting.

While not associated with the Office of Secretary, the opportu-
nity to continue to serve as chairman of the President's Commis-
sion on the Sanctity of Life has provided an additional avenue for
service to our Synod. This is a subject matter of personal convic-
tion and importance and it is a privilege to help represent and pro-
mote our Synod’s solid convictions regarding the sanctity of
every human life.

2001 Convention Workbook