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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 10

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

10 SYNODICAL REPORTS

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 in-
cluded in its report to the convention. I commend the CTCR’s pro-
posed 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 Prae-
sidium of the Synod (the President and five Vice-Presidents). 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-Presi-
dents 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, confer-
ences, etc., is included below. I believe it is self-explanatory and
provides the reader with a brief glimpse into the scope of responsi-
bility of the person who occupies this office.

President’s Activities

Groups or Categories Number of Meetings,
Events, etc.
Boards, Committees, Commissions,

Forums, Auxiliaries, etc. 115
Council of Presidents 13
District Conventions 25
District Pastors Conferences/

All Workers Conferences 20
Visits to Seminary, College,

and University Campuses 23
Congregational Anniversaries,

Dedications, etc. 47
Other Conferences, Miscellaneous

Conventions, etc. 49
Miscellaneous Events—Out of town 41
Miscellaneous Meetings—St. Louis 79
Meetings with Individual Pastors,

Lay, Staff, etc. Countless

Visits from Current or Potential Partner Churches
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Haiti
Hong Kong
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Korea
Russia
SELK
Shanghai
Siberia
Visits to Current and Prospective Partner Churches
Argentina

NEB HK NNHKH NHK NHS eK

N

2004 Convention Workbook

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Denmark

England

Finland

France and Belgium

Ghana

Germany

Hong Kong

Ingria in Russia

Japan

Korea

Latvia

Lithuania

Nigeria

Paraguay

South Africa
Meetings with President George W. Bush

Religious Leaders Consultation after 9/1 1—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+

MWNe ee eee ee NK ee eee WN

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, re-
ceived 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, missio-
logical, practical, and political challenges we face as a national
church body in our rapidly changing world in the years ahead.
At the same time, I am highly encouraged and most optimistic
about the future of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in the
decades to come! Here are the reasons for this positive perspective:
* We have a system of Christian education at all levels—primary,
elementary, secondary, collegiate, university, and seminary—that
is the envy of Christian bodies throughout the world. While the
educational enterprise faces significant financial challenges, I am
truly thankful for the faithfulness, dedication, and commitment of
the faculty and staff of all our schools, including the Concordia
University System and its institutions!

¢ We have a mission focus and worldwide mission emphasis that
has been actively involved for more than a century in bringing
the precious Gospel of Christ to nations, people groups, tribes,
and cultures literally around the world, resulting in untold num-
bers of people being brought to faith in Jesus Christ. What a
blessing our faithful, dedicated, self-sacrificing missionaries and
mission staff have been and continue to be to our Lord’s church
‘and to our Synod!