LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 26

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

26

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

word “commission.” This change was adopted by common
consent. After a vote to cease debate carried [Yes: 983; No:
205], the vote to adopt Omnibus Res. A as amended was
carried [Yes: 1,042; No: 137].
The chair called attention to Omnibus Res. B, which was
moved and seconded. A motion to amend Omnibus Res. B
by removing Ov. 7-62 was introduced, discussed, and then
not carried [Yes: 329; No: 830]. After a motion to terminate
debate on Omnibus Res. B carried [Yes: 1,042; No: 131], the
motion to adopt the resolution also carried [Yes: 1,055;
No: 122].
The chair called attention to Omnibus Res. D. When
moved and seconded, a motion immediately following to
terminate debate without debate carried [Yes: 1,019; No:
139]. The resolution was adopted [Yes: 1,109; No: 71].
Committee 7: Planning and Administration
Committee 7 Chairman Daniel May, President of the Indiana District, explained the absence of District President
Don Fondow due to health reasons. After he introduced the
work of the committee, Res. 7-01A, “To Standardize Candidate Information” (TB, p. 200), was presented for adoption.
After further explanation by the committee, a substitute
motion was proposed “to consider Ov. 7-33 (CW, p. 247) in
place of Res. 7-01A.” After the presenter of the motion and
the committee offered comment, the convention declined to
consider the substitute motion [Yes: 378; No: 774]. As discussion continued on Res. 7-01A, a motion was introduced
to retain the word “age” in line 23 of the resolution. After
brief discussion, the motion to amend was carried [Yes: 834;
No: 322]. A motion to add the words, “one’s position with
regard to the Anderson lawsuit until 2013” was ruled out
of order since the inclusion of a definite date made the resolution other than a bylaw amendment. A motion to cease
debate was then carried [Yes: 1,031; No: 142] and Res. 701A was adopted [Yes: 1,073; No: 100].
The committee then introduced Res. 7-02, “To Amend
Bylaw 2.11.1 (k) re Roster Eligibility” (TB, pp. 123–124),
noting one change to the second WHEREAS paragraph, replacing the word “Unclarity” with the words “A lack of clarity.” The resolution was adopted without discussion [Yes:
1,077; No: 84].
The committee introduced Res. 7-03A, “To Amend Bylaw
3.2.5” (TB, pp. 200–201). During discussion, the parliamentarian was asked to discuss the relationship of bylaws to
parliamentary rules. The propriety of a motion to amend the
resolution by deleting the word “not” from the proposed
wording was discussed. A motion to introduce the change as
a substitute motion was declared out of order on the basis of
parliamentary rules. Discussion and further clarification by
the committee of the main motion followed. The Commission on Constitutional Matters, asked to produce an opinion
on the subject, called attention to Opinions 05-2439; 052440; 05-2442 in the Convention Workbook. After further
discussion, a motion to cease debate carried [Yes: 1,003; No:
154] and Res. 7-03A was adopted [Yes: 774; No: 399].
2007 Convention Proceedings

Closing Prayer
Session 2 was concluded with closing prayer by convention chaplain Dean Wenthe and the announcement that the
convention offering now totaled $409,157.
Session 3
July 16, 2007
Morning Devotion
President Gerald Kieschnick called the assembly to
order and called on convention chaplain Dean Wenthe to
introduce Dr. L. Dean Hempelmann, Executive Director of
the Board for Pastoral Education, the morning devotion
leader. Basing his message on 1 Cor. 1:18–25, he spoke of
the wisdom of the world as foolishness and the foolishness
of God’s wisdom in the eyes of the world. Because we
preach Christ crucified and disgraced, we are fools for
Christ, the Crucified One. But we are wise fools, not
ashamed of the Gospel, the power of God.
Committee 3: Theology and Church Relations
Committee 3 Chairman Gerhard Michael, President of
the Florida-Georgia District, presented Res. 3-01, “To Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the American Association of Lutheran Churches” (TB, pp. 69–70). Given its
significance, the entire resolution was read by a member of
the committee, and the resolution was moved by the committee for adoption. Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations,
further explained the process that resulted in the proposed
resolution, reporting that the AALC recently took its own
action to declare altar and pulpit fellowship with the
LCMS.
Extensive discussion followed in response to specific issues and concerns raised by the assembly. It was assured
that agreements will be put into place to handle unique
church-worker issues in a manner that will satisfy both
church bodies. A motion was introduced to amend the resolution by substituting two resolves for the second-last resolve in the proposed resolution as follows: “Resolved, That
the LCMS request the American Association of Lutheran
Churches to make known publicly its positions with respect
to Christians having membership in secret societies such
as lodges and to Christians participating with heterodox
congregations in worship; and be it further Resolved, That
pastors of Missouri Synod congregations may exercise pastoral care with respect to altar and pulpit fellowship in the
extraordinary circumstances of having a nearby AALC congregation that allows membership in secret societies such
as lodges or that publicly worships with heterodox congregations; and be it finally.” After discussion, the amendment
failed [Yes: 288; No: 891].
As discussion continued on the main motion, it was clarified that the AALC professes a quia and not a quatenus
subscription to the Lutheran Confessions. A motion was introduced to terminate debate on Res. 3-01. The motion
failed [Yes: 739; No: 457] and allotted time was extended
for discussion to continue. An amendment was introduced
to add the words “and for reconciliation” after the word “relationship” in the fourth resolve. After discussion, this