LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 28

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28

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

The chair made several announcements regarding parliamentary procedure. Regarding points of order, he counseled the assembly to use points of order only when a true
breech of the rules has taken place, a principle he will try to
take seriously. He also addressed concerns expressed by
delegates regarding resolutions that have the effect of
changing the Bylaws. He called attention to Bylaws 14.01
and 3.905 c and the longstanding practice of the Synod of
involving the Board of Directors and Commission on Constitutional Matters in incorporating bylaw changes. He
asked the assembly to sustain this understanding by expressing its agreement. The assembly supported his understanding [Y: 942; N: 170].
A delegate asked whether Res. 8-01 could be published
in its entirety incorporating the changes made by the committee. The chair responded that this will be considered,
depending upon feasibility.
Committee 9: Registration, Credentials, and Elections
Committee Chairman William Klettke reported that the
convention was ready to vote on two positions: Secretary of
the Synod and Vice-President−Finance—Treasurer of the
Synod. The result of the ballot for Secretary:
Raymond Hartwig, 641
David Mahsman, 533
Raymond Hartwig was declared elected to the office of
Secretary of the Synod. The result of the ballot for VicePresident−Finance—Treasurer:
Thomas Kuchta, 1,122
Thomas Kuchta was declared elected to the office of
Vice-President−Finance—Treasurer of the Synod.
Committee 5: Higher Education
Committee 5 Chairman Carl Krueger announced that
his committee will be giving further attention to Res. 5-06
and related resolutions. As a result of actions taken earlier,
any recommendations regarding elections will be intended
for the 2007 convention elections.
Res. 5-01, “To Emphasize Mission Leadership Focus in
Professional Church Worker and Lay Person Preparation”
(TB, p. 79), was introduced by the committee. During discussion, a change to line 33 in the second resolve to include
cross-cultural ministry along with urban ministry was
adopted by unanimous consent. After further discussion,
debate was ended [Y: 985; N: 217] and the resolution was
adopted as changed [Y: 710; N: 491].
Res. 5-03A, “To Increase the Number of Synod-Certified
Teachers” (TB, pp. 202–203), was introduced by the committee. A motion was introduced that from this point forward in the convention, reports, rationales, and whereas
portions will not be read. The motion was declared out of
order and the delegate was encouraged to bring it back at
another time when a motion was not already on the floor.
After discussion, debate was ended [Y: 1,048; N: 142] and
Res. 5-03A was adopted as presented [Y: 1,035; N: 168].
Res. 5-24, “To Equip Teachers Ineligible for Teacher Colloquy” (TB, p. 100), was introduced by the committee, noting that the terminology “Higher Education” should be
changed to “University Education” in the three places it oc2004 Convention Proceedings

curs (lines 26, 30, and 47) in light of prior convention actions. A motion to cease debate carried [Y: 924; N: 255] and
the resolution was adopted as presented [Y: 1,031; N: 160].
A motion was made and seconded to dispense with the
reading of the whereas sections of proposed resolutions,
this to continue until the end of the convention. The motion
was carried [Y: 854; N: 327].
Committee 1: Missions
Res. 1-02, “To Promote ‘Mission Outpost’ Attitude” (TB,
pp. 40−41), was introduced by the committee. After brief discussion, a motion to cease debate carried [Y: 933; N: 248] and
the resolution was adopted as presented [Y: 1,003; N: 190].
Res. 1-03, “To Commend Emphasis on ‘One Message,
One Mission, One People’” (TB, p. 41), was introduced by
the committee. After discussion, debate was ended [Y: 956;
N: 255] and the resolution was adopted as presented [Y:
927; N: 256].
Res. 1-04, “To Commit to $100 Million Ablaze! Fund-Raising Effort” (TB, pp. 41−42), was introduced by the committee.
After discussion, further explanation by the committee in response to questions, and further extensive discussion, a motion to cease debate carried [Y: 935; N: 238] and the resolution
was adopted as presented [Y: 653; N: 533].
Res. 1-05A, “To Establish Ablaze! National Goals” (TB,
pp. 189−190,) was introduced by the committee. After clarification by committee regarding changes made compared
to its original Res. 1-05, a motion to cease debate carried
[Y: 875; N: 297] and the resolution was adopted as presented [Y: 871; N: 309].
After directing the assembly’s attention to Res. 1-06,
“Reassignment of Outreach Ministry” (TB, p. 43), the committee was questioned whether the resolution is in order in
light of Bylaw 3.823. Following discussion, the chair recommended that the resolution be recommitted to the committee to allow opportunity to clarify the matter.
Res. 1-07, “Ethnic and Urban Ministry” (TB, pp. 43–44),
was introduced by the committee. After discussion, debate
was ended [Y: 1,008; N: 120] and the resolution was
adopted as presented [Y: 757; N: 386].
A delegate was permitted to express his concern that
motions to cease debate are being made too rapidly. The
chair explained that this is a proper parliamentary procedure. He encouraged delegates not to vote to cease debate if
they recognize that more discussion may be necessary.
Committee 4: Program and Finance
Committee Chairman William Hoesman introduced the
work of his committee, expressing his committee’s conviction that God has provided the church with all that it needs
to do its work. He described the history, membership, and
activities of the Funding the Mission Task Force during the
past triennium, as well as its conclusion that more work
would be needed before a final new funding proposal could
be made. He introduced the viewing of a shortened version
of the “Sow What” video prepared by the Board of Directors
and mailed to all congregations.
After the video was viewed, the assembly was given the
opportunity to respond via their keypads to a series of questions from a survey accompanying the “Sow What” video