LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 32

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32

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
Session 5
July 17, 2007

Call to Order and Morning Devotion
President Gerald Kieschnick called the session to order
and called on convention chaplain Dale Meyer to introduce
the devotion leader, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations, who led the convention in morning devotions
(TB, pp. 268–269). In his message based on John 3:16–18,
Dr. Nafzger related a personal poisonous food experience to
speak of the great antidote from the poison of sin that
threatens all of us with death. He encouraged careful listening to the message from John’s Gospel.
Special Greetings: LWML
Newly elected LWML President, Mrs. Jan Wendorf,
spoke of the auxiliary’s recent convention in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, describing the Bible studies, presentations,
and decisions made, including the establishment of a record
mission goal of $1.7 million.
Following her greetings, the chair called attention to
Today’s Business for Tuesday in two parts and their content. A question was raised by a delegate regarding the timing of elections, given the large amount of new material to
study as a result of floor nominations. The chair agreed to
give the matter his attention.
Committee 3: Theology and Church Relations
Committee 3 Chairman Gerhard Michael introduced on
behalf of his committee Res. 3-02, “To Encourage Confessional Study in Preparation for 2017” (TB, p. 71). The resolution was adopted without debate [Yes: 1,093; No: 38].
Upon introduction of Res. 3-03, “To Request the CTCR to
Develop a Plan for Confessional Leadership” (TB, pp.
71–72), by the committee, a motion was introduced to
amend the resolution by adding a new resolve prior to the
final resolve: “That the CTCR be encouraged to assist in encouraging the translating of the Lutheran Confessions into
the languages of the world.” The floor committee agreed to
the amendment. A motion was introduced to amend the
resolution by adding the words “and the Synod will provide
funding for this publication” at the end of the third resolve.
After discussion of the amendment and a decision by the
assembly to cease debate [Yes: 958; No: 71], the amendment was defeated [Yes: 490; No: 549]. A motion to amend
the first resolve by adding the words “and our seminaries”
after the word “President” was agreed to by the committee.
An amendment to delete the entire third resolve was followed by a vote to cease debate [Yes: 858; No: 166] and a
vote on the amendment [Yes: 216; No: 809]. A following motion to cease debate on the resolution carried [Yes: 939;
No: 92] and Res. 3-03 was adopted as changed [Yes: 959;
No: 81].
The committee introduced Res. 3-04A, “To Call for a
Study of the Natural Knowledge of God and Its Implications for Public Witness” (TB, p. 184). A motion was immediately introduced to amend the first resolve by deleting the
phrase “in spirit and truth (John 4:23ff).” A suggestion was
2007 Convention Proceedings

made to insert “1 John 2:23” in place of the deleted phrase.
After discussion of the amendment to delete the phrase, a
motion to terminate discussion of the amendment was carried [Yes: 938; No: 106], and the amendment failed [Yes:
374; No: 675]. A motion followed to cease debate on Res. 304A [Yes: 949; No: 113], and the resolution was adopted as
presented by the committee [Yes: 980; No: 96].
Res. 3-05, “To Provide Further Discussion and Guidance
on the Matter of Serial Prayer” (TB, pp. 72–73), was introduced by the committee. As discussion began, an amendment was offered to replace the final WHEREAS and the resolve with the following: “WHEREAS, The CTCR report itself
notes, ‘The members of the Commission disagree about the
issue of so-called “serial” or “seriatim” prayers involving
representatives of different religious (Christian and/or nonChristian) groups or churches’ (p. 19); and WHEREAS, Seven
districts (Minnesota North, Southern Illinois, Missouri,
South Dakota, Rocky Mountain, Pacific Southwest, and
Northern Illinois), three congregations, one circuit forum,
and one pastors conference have submitted overtures in the
Convention Workbook which recognize this ambiguity as to
serial prayer and call for further clarification or restudy or,
in several cases, for the recision of 2004 Res. 3-06A; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention withdraw
its commendation of those Guidelines; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod assign to the CTCR and the seminary faculties the task of providing further guidance for
participation in civic events that includes the offering of serial prayer.” The chair ruled that the proposed amendment
was a substitute motion. After the maker of the motion and
the committee were given opportunity to speak, the assembly voted not to consider the substitute motion [Yes: 505;
No: 546]. Discussion returned to Res. 3-05 as proposed by
the committee. A motion to amend the final resolve by
striking “CTCR” and replacing it with “President of the
Synod” was introduced and discussed. The amendment
failed [Yes: 108; No: 951], and discussion continued on the
main motion. After a motion to terminate debate was carried [Yes: 956; No: 127], Res. 3-05 was adopted without
amendment [Yes: 935; No: 163].
Res. 3-06, “To Assign CTCR to Address Environmental
Issues” (TB, p. 73), was introduced by the committee. Debate was terminated without discussion [Yes: 806; No: 240],
and Res. 3-06 was adopted [Yes: 831; No: 219].
Res. 3-08, “To Encourage Use of CTCR’s Web Resource
on ‘Religious Organizations and Movements’” (TB, p. 74),
was introduced by the committee by reading the entire resolution. After discussion and upon suggestion of a delegate
and agreement by the chair, the words “and to Express Appreciation to Dr. Jerald Joersz for His 30 Years of Service”
were added to the title of the resolution. After brief discussion, Res. 3-08 was adopted as changed [Yes: 1,001; No: 17].
Res. 3-07, “To Study CTCR Reports Relating to the Service of Women in the Church” (TB, pp. 73–74), was introduced by the committee. During discussion, a substitute
resolution was offered: “WHEREAS, At the 1995 LCMS convention, Synod declined to approve the 1994 CTCR document The Service of Women in the Congregational Offices,
citing a dissenting opinion by five theologians (CTCR members) which stated that the CTCR document lacked consid-