LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 26

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26

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

preamble of the resolution, the chair asked whether the assembly would have any objection to not reading introductory paragraphs of the resolutions that are presented. Upon
the objection of a delegate, the chair asked for the will of
the assembly, suggesting that the chair in consultation
with the floor committees decide when parts of resolutions
are not to be read. Polling the assembly to determine if it
would be willing to allow the chair this discretion, the assembly supported his suggestion [Y: 856; N: 303].
Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, provided an introduction to Res. 3-01, offering a brief history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya and its relationship and
discussions with the LCMS. After Res. 3-01 was formally
introduced by the committee and discussed, debate was
ended [Y: 844; N: 336]. The resolution was adopted as presented [Y: 1,074; N: 107], establishing altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya
(ELCK).
The Common Doxology was sung by the assembly, and
the Rt. Rev. Walter Obare Omwanza, Presiding Bishop of
the ELCK, Mrs. Obare, and Rev. Halkano John Halakhe,
General Secretary of the ELCK, were greeted with a standing ovation. Bishop Obare and President Kieschnick signed
official operating agreements and Bishop Obare addressed
the assembly.
A motion was made and seconded to amend the orders of
the day by scheduling the question and answer session of
the President’s Report during the session at 11:15 a.m. This
motion carried [Y: 635; N: 533]. A second motion to no
longer permit the ceasing of debate on amendments and
main motions simultaneously for remainder of convention
was not carried [Y: 741; N: 460], a two-thirds majority
being required to suspend rules. Upon request of the chair,
the parliamentarian clarified the matter from Robert’s
Rules of Order.
Committee 5: Higher Education
Committee Chairman Carl Krueger called on Ed Bertram,
executive director of the “For the Sake of the Church” campaign to introduce General John Vessey, who chairs the campaign. General Vessey reviewed what “For the Sake of the
Church” is about and provided a current status report, calling
particular attention to the progress that has been made in the
enrollment of church work students. He invited the delegates
to visit one of the Synod’s schools and spend time with students and faculty members to experience personally the atmosphere on a Concordia campus.
Res. 5-06A, “To Restructure Seminary Boards of Regents” (TB, p. 205), was introduced by the committee, followed by discussion. A motion to amend the resolve from
“nine” to “six” in the fifth line was discussed. A motion to
cease debate on the motion to amend and the motion itself
precipitated further discussion of parliamentary procedure.
A second motion was made to end debate on the motion to
amend only. The assembly first voted on the motion to
cease debate on both the amendment and the main motion,
which failed [Y: 585; N: 606]. The second motion to cease
debate on the motion to amend only carried [Y: 880; N:
279]. The motion to amend from “nine” to “six” carried [Y:
2004 Convention Proceedings

645; N: 526]. A new motion was introduced to amend the
resolution by replacing the words “appointed by the board
of regents” in the same fifth line of the resolve with the
words “elected by the Synod in convention.” A motion to end
debate on the amendment and the main motion failed to
obtain the required vote [Y: 727; N: 470]. A motion to end
debate on the amendment only was carried [Y: 977; N: 213].
The amendment was adopted [Y: 643; N: 542]. With the
amended motion now again before the assembly, a question
was raised as to whether this resolution requires a change
to Bylaw 6.01 c. The chair suggested that the resolution as
amended be referred to Committee 5 in order to address the
bylaw question.
As Committee 5 was excused, the chair asked for clarification of the will of the assembly regarding the question and
answer portion of the President’s Report. He asked if it was
the intention of the convention to allow for the 20 minutes in
the schedule by using some of the time assigned to Committee
7. There was no objection to this understanding.
Bible Study 2
Before introducing the Bible study leader, Convention
Chaplain Loren Kramer gave recognition to the Synod’s
military chaplains. He then introduced Rev. Joel Lehenbauer and his topic, “Ablaze in One Mission—That Is My
Mission.” Rev. Lehenbauer focused his study on 1 Peter 2:9,
noting that we don’t always appreciate the fact that we are
strangers and aliens in this world, on our way to a better
country and trying to take as many people with us as we
can. He recalled Luther’s comment that it is for this reason
that God lets us live, to be used by Him to bring others to
Him, not by our own strength and ability but by the power
of God. He observed that this is not the time for lethargy
when it comes to reaching out with the hope in our Savior
that is in us. We need the help of God to do this, but we also
need the help of one another, especially in our Christian
congregations. Faith is never isolated from the community
of faith, expressing itself not in individualism but in the
Christian congregation as community, “a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people set apart.” The early Christians experienced alienation in their society and culture because of
their convictions, viewed as dangerous and outcasts. The
church was their place of refuge and safety and their gathering place. So it is also today.
Rev. Lehenbauer noted that a second important connection for “my mission” is Christian vocation, where God is
“hidden” in everyday life, in its ordinary routines. Early
saints were tempted to retreat into seclusion. St. Peter encouraged them to stay where they were, to transform the
ordinary things of life by their inner faith, to make ordinary days and activities places by which to bring other people to know Jesus. The third necessary connection for “my
mission” is Christian sanctification, coupling faith with a
holy life. Whereas faith finally comes by hearing, Christlike kindness is essential in preparation for the time when
it will be possible to share the strong Word of God. At the
same time, Christians should not be surprised if opportunity presents itself to share in Christ’s suffering.