LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 27

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
amendment was adopted [Yes: 823; No: 366]. During the
discussion that continued, the chair explained the decision
to allow AALC students to commune as part of the Concordia Theological Seminary community. After twenty minutes of debate had elapsed, the chair asked the assembly
whether it wished to cease debate. Debate was ended [Yes:
787; No: 388] and Res. 3-01 was adopted as amended [Yes:
846; No: 345]. In accord with the final resolve of the resolution, the assembly stood to sing the Common Doxology to
the glory of God.
AALC Presiding Pastor Tom Aadland was introduced
and spoke to the convention on behalf of the AALC and its
Presiding Pastor-Elect. The text of his message to the convention will be printed in the Convention Proceedings. Formal protocol documents were signed by the heads of the two
church bodies.
Committee 5: Seminary and University Education
Committee 5 Chairman Jon Diefenthaler introduced the
subject of the proposed establishment of the Specific Ministry Pastor Program. He clarified that the introductory
material preceding Res. 5-01A (TB, pp. 186–194) is to be
regarded as background information to inform the convention’s decision. Dr. L. Dean Hempelmann, Executive Director of the Board for Pastoral Education, Dr. Andrew
Bartelt, Academic Dean of Concordia Seminary, and Dr.
Larry Rast, Academic Dean of Concordia Theological Seminary, outlined the proposed program, responded to concerns raised, and reported on the support that the proposal
enjoys and the positive reception it has received on both
seminary campuses.
Given time constraints, the chair recommended that the
resolution not be formally introduced and that the brief
time remaining be spent asking and responding to questions regarding the proposal.
Bible Study
The chair called on convention chaplain Dale Meyer to
introduce the Bible study leader, Dr. Paul Maier, Second
Vice-President-elect of the Synod and Professor of Ancient
History at Western Michigan University. His Bible study
focused on the first chapter of 1 Cor. and its historical setting, the Grecian capital established by Rome, presumably
the worst seedbed for the Gospel, given the city’s great vices
and false religions. But the church start was surprisingly
successful—at least until Paul left, when the church suffered, occasioning this letter from Paul.
Delegates were asked to form groups of four to discuss
the biblical text in light of its historical setting, after which
Dr. Maier made application, noting the “perfect parallel” of
our present day with that of Corinth, especially in light of
some of the relational difficulties our Synod faces today.
The remedy is still the same, to focus on Christ, to take
these words literally, leaving this convention as if Jesus
Himself had been present and had addressed the convention with words like those of Paul.
Committee 5: Seminary and University Education
Committee 5 Chairman Jon Diefenthaler called attention to a resolution requiring early attention, given its po-

27

tential effect on ballot preparations, Res. 5-04, “To
Strengthen College and University Boards of Regents” (TB,
pp. 102–103). He introduced Dr. Jacob Preus, President of
Concordia University, Irvine, who spoke in support of the
proposed resolution and assured that the resolution is not
intended in any way to create greater separation from the
Synod but to provide greater support for the Synod’s
schools by providing the wisdom and support needed to operate schools in this day and age. Vice-President–Finance—
Treasurer Tom Kuchta added his support as Treasurer of
the Synod, following which the resolution was introduced
by the committee for consideration. During discussion, a
motion was introduced to amend the resolution by adding
the prefix “non” to the word “voting” in proposed wording
for Bylaw 3.8.3.6.2 in its third numbered sentence. Given
time constraints, the chair tested the will of the assembly to
continue discussion of the amendment. The assembly voted
to terminate debate [Yes: 991; No: 173] and then defeated
the motion to amend [Yes: 341; No: 809]. The chair again
tested the will of the assembly to continue discussion of the
main motion. As the vote was being taken, it was determined that a number of keypads were not operative, and
the vote was taken by having the delegates vote by standing. After the vote was taken, the chair ruled that the motion to terminate debate was carried. By rising vote, the
convention also adopted Res. 5-04.
A motion was introduced “to allow delegates to register
their negative votes.” It was determined by voice vote that
the motion received the required one-third affirmative vote.
The following delegates registered their negative votes in
writing with the Secretary: Steven J. Anderson, Benjamin
Ball, Sean Ballard, Arie Bertsch, Bruce Blocker, Neal Breitbarth, Paul E. Bremer, R. Thomas Colgrove, Loren D.
Cooper, Perry Culver, Wm. Keith Davis, Frederick E. Davison, Charlie A. Dietrich, Roger Dilger, Rebecca Dominguez,
Everett Doyle, Thomas Dufresne, Mark Eckert, Paul Egger,
Roger Gallup, Gary V. Gehlbach, H. Glaess, Timothy
Hafner, Jim Hamilton, John W. Hamilton, Gregg Hein,
Gary Held, Jeffrey Heller, Charles Henkel, Karl Hess, Gary
Hoffmann, Daniel G. Holthus, Robert Jahns, Ronald Kabitzke, Chad Kendall, Harold King, Jessie King, Mark A.
Kloha, Tim Koch, Henry J. Koopmann, Richard Kreutzer,
Larry Le Blanc, Bryan Lindemood, David Lord, David
Markworth, Michael Mathews, Timothy D. May, Jon P.
Meyer, Alan Miller, Aaron Moldenhauer, Bruce Nathan,
Shawn Nettleton, Lydia Nighswander, Charles Olander,
Fred Page, Raymond Parent, Peter Piepkorn, Donald E.
Prevallet, Davin Quiram, Steve Rasmussen, Russell D.
Reimers, John Riley, Franklin Schatte, Tim Schenks, Dana
Schnelle, V. Schroeder, Larry Smallfield, Ken Sparbel,
Roger Sterle, Winfried Strieter, D. Richard Stuckwisch, Le
Roy B. Sundbom, David Teigen, Matthew Theriault, Magdalen Veitenruber, Charlie Wachlin, Paul M. Weber, Keith
R. Weise, Stephen Weiss, Craig E. Whitson, Henry C. Wied,
Alan Wollenburg, Robert Wurst.
Committee 8: Synod Structure and Governance
Committee 8 Chairman Lane Seitz, President of the
Minnesota South District, introduced Res. 8-01, “To Adopt
Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
2007 Convention Proceedings