LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 37

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
Res. 2-08, “To Celebrate Significant Synod Anniversaries” (TB, pp. 65–66), was introduced by the committee. A
motion to amend the final resolve with the addition of “be
encouraged to” prior to the word “prepare” was agreed to
by the committee. A motion to amend the resolution by
striking all references to Wilhelm Loehe throughout the
resolution was introduced and discussed. A motion to terminate debate on the amendment was carried [Yes: 950;
No: 125], and the amendment failed [Yes: 174; No: 904].
After further discussion of the main motion, a motion to
terminate debate was carried [Yes: 1,044; No: 60], and Res.
2-08 was adopted as changed [Yes: 1041; No: 88].
Committee 8: Synod Structure and Governance
Committee 8 Chairman Lane Seitz directed attention to
Res. 8-07A, “To Call Special Convention to Amend Synod
Structure and Governance” (TB, pp. 213–214). The resolution was introduced by the committee, calling on former
Synod Presidents Ralph Bohlmann and Robert Kuhn for
supportive comments. Committee 8 Co-chairman Larry
Stoterau, President of the Pacific Southwest District, reminded the assembly that the issue before it is merely to
determine when the matter of restructuring, which must
be faced, will be faced. A motion was introduced to insert a
new resolve following the first resolve: “Resolved, That
since Articles II, VI, and XIV do not pertain to structure
and governance, amendments thereto are specifically prohibited.” After discussion, a motion to cease debate was carried [Yes: 981; No: 154], and the motion to amend failed
[Yes: 529; No: 629]. Extensive discussion continued on the
main motion until the assembly was asked by the chair
whether it was ready to terminate debate of the resolution
[Yes: 586; No: 592]. With the assembly not ready to end debate, discussion continued until the Orders of the Day were
called.
Closing Prayer
The chair called upon convention chaplain Dale Meyer
for the closing prayer.
Recess
Session 8
July 18, 2007
Morning Devotion
President Gerald Kieschnick called the session to order
and asked convention chaplain Dale Meyer to introduce the
devotion leader, Rev. Jon Braunersreuther, senior assistant
to the President of the Synod. Basing his message on Luke
7:11–17, Rev. Braunersreuther spoke of our reluctance to
approach death, whether our own or that of another. But
the time comes when we have no choice but to face death
and its consequences, as was the case with the woman from
Nain. But Jesus walked up to death and touched it, confronted it, and ruined the funeral. This is exactly what He
has done for us as well, for the entire world.
Greetings from ILLL
Mr. Jack Kidwell, President of the International
Lutheran Laymen’s League, addressed the convention. He

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spoke of the convention theme, “One Message—Christ!”
and shared some of the work done by the ILLL in light of
that theme and the Ablaze! movement. He spoke of a bright
future for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League,
with many opportunities before it as it moves into the future.
The chair shared plans for making schedule adjustments
to provide opportunity for addressing actions that in his judgment must be acted upon before adjournment, noting that
such changes are evident in the schedule for the day.
Committee 3: Theology and Church Relations
Committee 3 Chairman Gerhard Michael directed the
assembly’s attention to Res. 3-07, “To Study CTCR Reports
Relating to the Service of Women in the Church” (TB, pp.
73–74), already introduced to the convention, and asked Dr.
Samuel Nafzger, Executive Director of the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations, to provide background information. A motion was introduced to amend the first
WHEREAS by deleting “on issues like the order of creation”
and replacing those words with the words “of the Scriptures
and issues like the order of creation, the order of redemption (e.g. Gal. 3:28).” The committee agreed to the change.
After discussion, a motion to end debate carried [Yes: 944;
No: 198], and Res. 3-07 was adopted [Yes: 870; No: 286].
Res. 3-09, “To Address Administration of the Lord’s Supper” (TB, pp. 74–75), was introduced by the committee. A
motion to amend the resolution by adding a new second
“Resolved, That all pastors and congregations who have established and practice Communion fellowship contrary to
the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions are encouraged by the 2007 LCMS convention to immediately cease
such practice and return to a faithful practice and administration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and be it
further” was agreed to by the committee, as was the additional amendment added to the end of the new resolve: “by
practicing close(d) Communion.” When an amendment was
introduced to insert into the first resolve the words “and
1995 convention Res. 3-08” after the word “Supper,” the
committee suggested the wording “and the resolutions of
the Synod adopted on this topic.” With all parties agreeing
to these changes, a motion to cease debate was carried [Yes:
1,083; No: 67], and Res. 3-09 was adopted as changed [Yes:
986; No: 177].
Res. 3-10, “To Encourage Publication of Theological Literature” (TB, p. 75), was introduced by the committee. During discussion, a motion was introduced to amend the resolution by adding the word “orthodox” in the title and first
WHEREAS. After debate was ended [Yes: 1,039; No: 107], the
amendment failed [Yes: 405; No: 748]. Discussion returned
to the main motion and continued until a motion to cease
debate carried [Yes: 1,047; No: 91], and the resolution was
adopted [Yes: 947; No: 210].
Res. 3-11, “To Endeavor to Keep the Unity of the Spirit
in the Bond of Peace” (TB, p. 76), was introduced by the
committee. After he finished reading the resolution, Dr. C.
William Hoesman, Chairman of the Council of Presidents
and President of the Michigan District, was recognized by
the chair for his service to the church. The assembly rose
to applaud. During discussion of the resolution, an amend2007 Convention Proceedings