LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 37

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
mittee. A motion to cease debate was offered immediately
but did not receive the required two-thirds majority [Y: 730;
N: 379]. After brief discussion, a motion to end debate again
failed [Y: 716; N: 395]. As discussion resumed, an amendment was offered to add the words “and the new Board for
Pastoral Education with the guidance of the seminary faculties” in the final resolve after the word “Synod.” After discussion a motion to cease debate on the amendment carried
[Y: 976; N: 152] and the amendment also carried [Y: 672;
N: 478]. The question was called [Y: 946; N: 208] and the
resolution was adopted as amended [Y: 927; N: 244].
Res. 5-08A, “To Develop a Plan to Include the Wider
Church in Certification” (TB, p. 206), was introduced by the
committee. The proposed “Amendment to Resolution 5-08”
(TB, p. 385) was introduced, also changing “Council of Presidents” to “wider church” in lines 14 and 20 of the proposed
amendment. The chair ruled that this would be a substitute resolution, which the assembly determined not to consider [Y: 543; N: 544]. Discussion continued on the main
motion until the orders of the day were called.
Before recessing for lunch, the chair addressed the issue
of whether Res. 3-06 (TB, p. 60) is in violation of Bylaw 3.19
as discussed earlier. He related counsel from the parliamentarian that the vote taken was sufficient to suspend the
rule in question. An opinion from the Commission on Constitutional Matters had also been obtained to the effect that
the bylaw requirement had been met and that floor committees are given wide latitude in considering reports and
studies.
Session 9
July 14, 2004
Opening Devotion
Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, jointly provided the
“call to gather” music for the afternoon devotion and session.
The Rev. Dr. McNair Ramsey, representing Concordia College, Selma, Alabama; the Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer,
Interim President of Concordia, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and
the Rev. Dr. Robert Holst, President of Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota jointly led the devotion.
Under the theme, “Ablaze in One Mission: Sharing the
Hope of Christ: Unasked Questions,” Rev. Ramsey read the
story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman from John 4. Rev.
Holst offered devotional comment on the first unasked
question in the story: “What do you want?” The Samaritan
woman wanted many things, but most of all she wanted to
avoid Jesus and His message. Jesus knew, however, what
she needed and He brought it to her. So also people come to
the church with wants, but often it is not what they want
but what they need that is important. Rev. Ahlersmeyer
commented on the second unasked question from the story:
“Why are you talking to her?” He spoke of the gaps that
exist today and the similar questions that come to mind.
Amazement moved the disciples, an amazement that we
can share, given the gap that our Lord Jesus has crossed
in order to come to us. And now He has given us the lips to
talk to others, even 100 million people by the year 2017,
continuing and multiplying our Lord’s conversation with
the woman at the well.

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Rev. Ramsey concluded the devotion with words of benediction.
Minutes
Immediately following the devotion, a motion was introduced from the floor: “Resolved, that no motion to reconsider or rescind any resolution or action of the convention
may be brought on the final day of the convention.” After
brief discussion, the motion was carried [Y: 793; N: 309].
The chair also announced that the pro-con method of debate will be used for the remainder of the convention, according to the numbers of the microphones. Odd numbers
will always be pro, and even numbers will always be con.
After calling the assembly’s attention to the minutes of
the previous day’s morning session, the Secretary reported
that Committee 8 asked for a slight change of wording in
the formal statement made yesterday regarding Res. 8-03
and recorded in the minutes, the statement to read: “This
resolution does not give tacit approval of anyone’s actions
associated with the September 11 terrorist attacks. It seeks
to affirm all who offered ministry.” With this change, the
minutes were accepted.
Greetings: ELCA
The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, Reverend Mark Hanson, brought greetings from the people of his church body. He spoke of the
agreement that exists between our church bodies and of our
mutual challenges and opportunities of contemporary witness, highlighting the cooperation of our church bodies
through the ministries of Lutheran Services of America and
the military chaplaincy program.
He brought greetings also as president of the Lutheran
World Federation, recognizing the parallel association of
the LCMS in the International Lutheran Council. He expressed appreciation for the favorable action taken by the
convention (Res. 3-07, “To Continue Discussions with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,” and assured the convention of the ELCA’s continuing effort also to bear witness
to the truth of the Scriptures and the Confessions.
Committee 9: Registration, Credentials, and Elections
As Committee 9 was called, a delegate introduced the
proposed resolution printed on page 384 of Today’s Business, “To Allow the Speaking of Presidential Candidates.”
After the resolution was read the chair recommended that
this proposal be evaluated by the Commission on Constitutional Matters.
Committee 9 Chairman William Klettke walked the convention through the electronic voting process for the boards
of directors of Concordia Publishing House and Lutheran
Church Extension Fund, with the following results (names
and majority votes of persons elected are underscored):
CPH Board of Directors
Ordained Ministers
Peter Cage
Philip Esala
Roger Sonnenberg

(1)
562
97
525

Ballots
(2)
595

(3)

(4)

599

2004 Convention Proceedings