LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 30

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30

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

opportunity to stand for brief periods of time. The assembly was in favor [Y: 906; N: 162]. The President also announced that Tuesday’s edition of Today’s Business will be
published in three parts, A, B, C.
Greetings: ILLL
Mr. Alvin Waldron, President of the International
Lutheran Laymen’s League, spoke of the positive attitude of
the ILLL for sharing Good News in a time of such opportunity as today. He recalled the interest of the founders of the
Laymen’s League in standing with the Synod, an interest
that continues today. He spoke of the partnership that exists
between organizations and the manner in which that partnership is demonstrating itself in major events taking place
in the Synod, including this convention, the youth gathering,
and the increased enrollments anticipated by our seminaries
at the end of this summer. He also spoke of the reorganization
of Lutheran Hour Ministries to carry out its ministries in the
world of today, asking for prayer as the ILLL embarks on a
new journey. He directed final thoughts to the LCMS, offering
assurance that the ILLL continues to be in partnership with
the Synod, today, tomorrow, and always.
Committee 3: Theology and Church Relations
Committee Chairman Arleigh Lutz asked the delegates
to turn to Today’s Business, pp. 56–57, and Res. 3-02, “To
Encourage the International Lutheran Council.” He spoke
of the special experience provided by this convention to be
with the leaders of the International Lutheran Council. The
resolution was adopted as presented without discussion [Y:
1,131; N: 35]. The convention joined in singing the Common
Doxology according to the resolution’s final resolve.
Res. 3-03A, “To Foster Peace, Harmony, and Trust
within Synod for Sake of Christ’s Mission” (TB, p. 241), was
introduced by the committee. A motion was introduced to
amend the final resolve by inserting the words “16 and the
Lutheran Confessions” in place of Romans “15.” The committee agreed to the change and there was no objection
from the assembly. An amendment was proposed to add a
second whereas: “WHEREAS, The Mission 21st Century Task
Force has identified both inadequate attention to doctrine
and the Synod’s difficulties in dealing with internal controversies as hindering the fulfillment of the Great Commission; and” and a final resolve: “Resolved, That the Council
of Presidents be asked to lead those under their care to a
renewed understanding of distinctive Lutheran doctrines,
including the proper distinction of the Law and Gospel and
the use of the Means of Grace, and their applicability to the
current issues.” After discussion of the amendment, a motion to cease debate both on the amendment and the main
motion failed [Y: 325; N: 874]. A motion to cease debate on
the motion to amend was carried [Y: 1,073; N: 124]. The
amendment was adopted [Y: 757; N: 448]. An amendment
was offered to strike the words “be it finally” and replace
them with “be it further” on line 47, and then insert two
additional resolves: “Resolved, That the Council of Presidents strongly urge the pastors and congregations of the
Synod to follow the historic doctrine and practice of the
Synod as articulated in the doctrinal resolutions accepted
over the years by the Synod in convention; and be it further
2004 Convention Proceedings

Resolved, That the COP be requested to discipline those
pastors and congregations which, following patient and
evangelical counsel, refuse to follow the historic doctrine
and practice of the LCMS; and be it finally.” Discussion of
the amendment followed. A motion to cease debate on the
amendment was carried [Y: 875; N: 325]. The amendment
failed [Y: 431; N: 774]. Discussion continued on the main
motion as amended. An amendment was offered to add the
words “along with the St. Louis and Fort Wayne seminaries” in line 49. A motion to cease debate on the amendment
and main motion failed [Y: 790; N: 418]. A motion to cease
debate on the motion to amend carried [Y: 1125; N: 76]. The
motion to amend also carried [Y: 788; N: 415]. Discussion
continued on the motion as amended. A motion was introduced to amend the resolution by striking the words “be it
finally” at line 47 and replace them with the words “be it
further,” then inserting two additional resolves: “Resolved,
That the Council of Presidents strongly urge the pastors
and congregations of Synod to follow the Holy Scriptures
and the Lutheran Confessions and the practice of Synod as
articulated in the doctrinal resolutions accepted over the
years by Synod in convention; and be it further Resolved,
That the COP be requested to discipline those pastors and
congregations which, following patient and evangelical
counsel, refuse to follow the Holy Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions and the practice of the LCMS; and
be it finally.” The chair ruled that the proposed changes to
the earlier defeated amendment are sufficiently substantial to be considered. Discussion followed. The chair called
attention to Standing Rule 15 and asked the assembly
whether it was ready to cease debate on the motion to
amend [Y: 1,087; N: 115]. Debate having been ended, the
motion to amend was defeated [Y: 519; N: 681]. A motion
to cease debate on the previously amended resolution carried [Y: 1,038; N: 163] and the resolution was adopted as
amended [Y: 992; N: 207].
The chair commented on the parliamentary rule allowing for the question to be called on more than one motion.
The chair ruled that for the remainder of the convention,
motions to close debate may only be applied to the immediate question, to allow the delegates to discuss and debate
at length the substance of the main motions rather than
just the amendments. The ruling of the chair was supported [Y: 1,014; N: 140].
Res. 3-04, “To Urge Continuation of Theological Conferences” (TB, pp. 58–59), was introduced by the committee.
An amendment to add a third resolve: “Resolved, That the
Synod in convention encourage Districts to conduct theological conferences that are open to the laity” was accepted
by the floor committee and assembly without objection.
Upon concern expressed by a delegate, the chair asked that
the speakers at microphones step aside to allow others to
be spotted to speak to amendments. Discussion on the
amended motion continued. A motion to cease debate carried [Y: 1,044; N: 84] and the amended motion was adopted
[Y: 990; N: 155].
A delegate expressed concern regarding the manner in
which reference has been made to holy absolution to serve
humorous and political purposes. The chair assured the delegate and the assembly of his high regard for holy absolu-