LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 62

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62

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

7-136 To Advocate Wider Geographical
Representation on Boards, Commissions, and
Committees
Action Taken

Taken under advisement.
Additional Items from the 2001 Convention
Renewal in Missouri
Sometime ago, I asked the CTCR to assess the situation
with Renewal In Missouri and to make a recommendation
to the 2004 convention. The recommendation of the CTCR
on this matter is included in its report to the convention. I
commend the CTCR’s proposed action and encourage the
convention to adopt the resolution the commission has prepared, with the prayer that this action will help bring this
matter to a God-pleasing conclusion.
LCMS / ELCA Pastoral Working Arrangements
This assignment was given by the 2001 Convention to
the Praesidium of the Synod (the President and five VicePresidents). The report of the Praesidium’s assignment to
evaluate pastoral working arrangements with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is printed elsewhere
in this workbook. I encourage the delegates to this convention to read it carefully and to respond positively to its recommendations. I also express appreciation to the Vice-Presidents for their diligent and exhaustive work in dealing
with this very important matter.
Presidential Participation in Events,
Meetings, Conferences, etc.
A summary of my participation in events, meetings, conferences, etc., is included below. I believe it is self-explanatory and provides the reader with a brief glimpse into the
scope of responsibility of the person who occupies this office.
President’s Activities
Groups or Categories
Number of Meetings,
Events, etc.
Boards, Committees, Commissions,
Forums, Auxiliaries, etc.
Council of Presidents
District Conventions
District Pastors Conferences/
All Workers Conferences
Visits to Seminary, College,
and University Campuses
Congregational Anniversaries,
Dedications, etc.
Other Conferences, Miscellaneous
Conventions, etc.
Miscellaneous Events—Out of town
Miscellaneous Meetings—St. Louis
Meetings with Individual Pastors,
Lay, Staff, etc.
Visits from Current or Potential Partner Churches
Australia
Brazil
2004 Convention Proceedings

115
13
25
20
23
47
49
41
79
Countless
1
1

Canada
1
Haiti
1
Hong Kong
2
Japan
1
Jordan
2
Kenya
1
Korea
2
Russia
2
SELK
1
Shanghai
1
Siberia
2
Visits to Current and Prospective Partner Churches
Argentina
2
Bolivia
1
Brazil
2
Canada
3
Chile
1
Denmark
1
England
1
Finland
1
France and Belgium
1
Ghana
1
Germany
2
Hong Kong
1
Ingria in Russia
1
Japan
1
Korea
1
Latvia
1
Lithuania
1
Nigeria
1
Paraguay
1
South Africa
2
Meetings with President George W. Bush
5
Religious Leaders Consultation after 9/11—White House
Human Cloning/Stem Cell Consultation—White House
Religious Leaders Consultation—St. Louis
National Day of Prayer—White House
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Signing—Reagan Building
Total Miles Traveled (Approximate)
300,000+
Vision for the Future
It is clear to me that The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod has been richly blessed throughout the 157 years of
its existence. Since 1847 the Word of God has been the light
that lights our path along life’s way. As individuals we have
been created by God, received into His kingdom through
Holy Baptism, nourished and strengthened by His very
presence within us, in, with, and under the bread and wine
of Holy Communion. As a church body we have experienced
periods of growth and decline during times of war and
peace in our country and world. We have rejoiced in times
of harmony and wept in times of controversy. We have discussed, debated, and disagreed. We have fought, failed, and
forgiven. Most importantly, we have been forgiven through
the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the
sin of the world.
There have been many times during these past three
years when individuals in our Synod have expressed concern, doubt, and even pessimism regarding the future of the
LCMS. I most certainly am acutely and painfully aware of
the theological, financial, missiological, practical, and po-