LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 73

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
As individually and together we “vigorously make known
the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches,
communities, and the world,” we will, by the grace of God,
see One Mission—Ablaze! as the purpose for our life and
the reason for our existence! May God grant it to be so, in
the name of Jesus!
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
R1-8 Appendix

2001 Convention Proceedings
To Promote Truth and Integrity
in Convention Overtures
RESOLUTION 7-04A
Overture 7-126 (CW, pp. 282–83 )
WHEREAS, St. Paul says in Eph 4:17–5:2,”So I tell you
this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer
live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They
are darkened in their understanding and separated from
the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due
to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity,
they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for
more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught,
with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old
self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the
new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and
speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of
one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a
foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer,
but must work, doing something useful with his own hands,
that he may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to
their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do
not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness,
rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every
form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be
imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and
live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself
up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”; and

73

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther says in his explanation of
the Eighth Commandment,” “We should fear and love God
so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him,
slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak
well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way”;
and
WHEREAS, The convention manual is published under
the editorship of the Secretary of the Synod, subject to the
approval of the President of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, Misleading and untrue material has appeared
in synodical overtures; and
WHEREAS, The inclusion of such untrue and misleading
information can do irreparable harm and is a sin against
God, individuals, and entities of the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That those who submit convention overtures
assume complete responsibility for the truthfulness of information contained therein; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.19 c be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

Overtures with reference to a case in which a member
has been suspended or expelled and which is at present in
the process of or subject to appeal, as well as overtures
which, upon advice of legal counsel, may subject the Synod
or the corporate officers of the Synod to civil action for libel
or slander, or which contain libel or slander, shall not be
accepted for convention consideration; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.19 be amended to add:
PROPOSED WORDING

The synodical President shall determine if any overture
contains information which is materially in error, or contains any apparent misrepresentation of truth or of character. He shall not approve inclusion of any such overture
in the convention manual and shall refer any such overture
to the District President who has ecclesiastical supervision
over the entity submitting the overture for action. If any
published overture or resolution is found to be materially
in error or contains any misrepresentation of truth or of
character, it shall be withdrawn from convention consideration and referred by the President of the Synod to the appropriate District President for action;
and be it further
Resolved, That the other provisions of Bylaw (3.19) be
relettered; and be it finally
Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be
used to help carry out “The Great Commission” and shall
not in any way detract or distract from the primary mission
of God’s Kingdom here on earth. We will remember 1-02!
Action: Adopted (10)

(The resolution was adopted without amendment [yes:
746; no: 303]. The final resolve is added as required by Res.
1-02, adopted by the convention in an earlier session.)

2004 Convention Proceedings