LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 29

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
Donald K. Muchow

629

Robert T. Kuhn and Donald K. Muchow were declared
elected. Balloting continued for the commissioned minister
member position. The result of the ballot was as follows:
Jonathan C. Laabs
Kurt Senske

526
646

Kurt Senske was declared elected. Balloting continued
for the lay positions on the Board of Directors. Discussion
followed regarding the removal of names of candidates because of the bylaw prohibiting two board members from
being elected from the same district. Upon suggestion of the
chair, a motion was introduced “that in view of the earlier
election of members of the Board of Directors from the Missouri, Southeastern, and Texas Districts, any remaining
candidates from those districts will be eliminated from the
slate.” The suggested motion was carried. The result of the
ballot for lay members for the Board of Directors of the
Synod was as follows:
Walter Brantz
Kermit Brashear
Gloria Edwards
Richard Peters
Irma Pinkerton
Curtis Pohl

638
905
710
607
539
804

Given the large totals of votes received, discussion followed regarding the validity of the vote. The chair ruled
that the decision of the chairman of the Elections Committee would stand. Walter Brantz, Kermit Brashear, Gloria
Edwards, and Curtis Pohl were declared elected.
Committee 6: Human Care
Committee 6 Chairman David Benke called attention to
Res. 6-01, “To Give Thanks for Disaster Relief and Support”
(TB, p. 113). After a video of recent natural disasters was
viewed, Rev. Kurt Schultz, President of the Southern District, spoke of the destruction and relief efforts surrounding Hurricane Katrina. Reading 2 Cor. 1:8–11, he spoke of
the long recovery journey yet to come, but also expressed
thanks for God-given partners without whom the people in
the stricken area could not have come this far. A scroll of
thanksgiving prepared by the floor committee with signatures of the President of the Synod and the district presidents will be permanently placed in the Synod’s International Center, with copies provided to districts. After
attention was returned to Res. 6-01, and after brief further
discussion, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 1,177; No: 4].
President Kieschnick, speaking to the delegates as representatives of the entire Synod, expressed appreciation for
all of the contributions in response to recent disasters and
especially Hurricane Katrina.
Committee 4: Program and Finance
Committee 4 Chairman Keith Kohlmeier, President of
the Kansas District, introduced Res. 4-04, “To Authorize
Exception to 2004 Res. 4-11 re Property Reversionary Provisions” (TB, pp. 80–81). The resolution was adopted without discussion [Yes: 1,039; No: 86].
Res. 4-05, “To Amend Bylaws 3.8.3.6.4 (e) (2) and
3.8.3.6.4 (i) (2) re Financial Management” (TB, pp. 81–82),

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was introduced by the committee and adopted without discussion [Yes: 1,037; No: 87].
Res. 4-06, “To Revise Bylaw Sections re Name Change
to Concordia Plans and Concordia Plan Services” (TB, pp.
82–86), was introduced by the committee without reading
the entire resolve section. After four editorial changes were
made (words underscored to indicate new wording), the
resolution was adopted after brief discussion [Yes: 1,133;
No: 17].
Res. 4-07, “To Amend Bylaw 3.7.1.2 re Membership of
Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services and Board of
Trustees—Concordia Plans” (TB, pp. 86–87), was introduced by the committee and adopted without discussion
[Yes: 1,121; No: 31].
Res. 4-08, “To Amend Bylaw 3.8.2.2.5 (i) (2) re Financial
Management” (TB, pp. 87–88), was introduced by the committee and adopted without discussion [Yes: 1,093; No: 52].
Res. 4-01A, “To Plan Summit to Restore Harmony” (TB,
p. 242), was introduced by the committee. During discussion, a motion to amend the resolution by deleting the
words “to clarify” and “a strategy” in the first resolve was
agreed to by the committee. After further discussion, a motion to amend the resolution by deleting the parenthetical
statement in the final resolve “(including the Great Commission)” was carried [Yes: 650; No: 503] before debate was
terminated [Yes: 1,082; No: 89] and Res. 4-01A was adopted
[Yes: 1,014; No: 169].
Res. 4-03, “To Develop Program to Emphasize Biblical
Whole Life Stewardship” (TB, p. 80), was introduced by
the committee and adopted without discussion [Yes: 941;
No: 226].
Res. 4-09A, “To Provide Financial Support and Adopt
Funding Model for Seminaries” (TB, pp. 242–243), was introduced by the committee. Discussion was ended by a motion to cease debate [Yes: 1,026; No: 103], after which the
resolution was adopted [Yes: 1,051; No: 89].
Commission on Constitutional Matters Opinions
A member of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
reported that the chairman of the Elections Committee has
requested opinions regarding the following issues:
Question 1: Based on the election of a candidate to become a
member of the Synod’s Board of Directors, may another candidate from the same district remain on the ballot or be elected?
Opinion: No. Bylaw 3.3.5.1 (1) precludes the election of more
than one elected member of the Board of Directors from any
one district. The election of one member from a district renders
ineligible any other candidate from the same district. Other
candidates from that district must be removed from the ballot
as ineligible.
Question 2: If the number of candidates remaining eligible for
election to a category (i.e., ordained, commissioned, or lay) on
the Synod’s Board of Directors is less than two times the
number of positions to be elected because of the prior election of
another candidate from the same district, must additional
nominations be added before the election?
Opinion: No. Bylaw 3.12.3.6 (a) requires the Committee for
Convention Nominations to make initial nominations of at
least two candidates for each such position. Once those candidates have been nominated at the convention, that bylaw has
been fulfilled. Should a candidate become ineligible, withdraw,

2007 Convention Proceedings