LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 38

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38

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

ment was proposed to insert a new third WHEREAS: “Our
Synod in recent years has shown signs of theological disunity in many areas; and.” After a motion to cease debate
carried [Yes: 1,004; No: 104], the motion to amend failed
[Yes: 553; No: 570]. A motion “to amend by deleting ‘unity’
in the second WHEREAS and replacing it with ‘concord’” also
failed [Yes: 396; No: 716]. A motion was introduced to
amend by adding “and taking attendance” in the first resolve after “participation.” After discussion of the motion to
amend, a motion to end debate was carried [Yes: 969; No:
137], and the motion to amend failed [Yes: 212; No: 908].
The chair tested the will of the assembly regarding terminating debate. The vote was favorable [Yes: 1,022; No: 101],
and Res. 3-11 was adopted [Yes: 1,018; No: 112].
Res. 3-13, “To Respectfully Decline Overtures” (TB,
p. 77) was introduced by the chairman of the committee. It
was noted that necessary wording would need to be added
to form a resolution: “WHEREAS, The floor committee has
considered all overtures assigned to it and has concluded,
for various reasons, that certain overtures should be
declined; therefore be it Resolved, That the following overtures be respectfully declined for the reasons given:” Prior
to discussion, a motion was introduced to end debate [Yes:
867; No: 204] and the resolution was adopted [Yes: 919;
No: 167].

bly whether it was ready to end debate [Yes: 995; No: 63].
Debate ended, Res. 6-03A was adopted as changed [Yes:
1,017; No: 52].
The committee requested and was granted opportunity
for Ralston Deffenbaugh, Director of Lutheran Immigration
and Refugee Services, to address the convention briefly in
the interest of refugee resettlement.

Committee 6: Human Care

Committee 5: Seminary and University Education

Committee Chairman David Benke directed attention to
Res. 6-06, “To Develop Abuse Education Materials and Programs” (TB, pp. 117–118), which was introduced by a member of the committee. A motion was offered to delete the
words “recognized the gravity of this issue and” in the second WHEREAS. The chair advised that the resolution be referred back to the committee to resolve concerns with wording. The committee attempted to resolve the matter by
changing “sexual misconduct” to “domestic violence” in the
second WHEREAS. Additional amendments adding “and professional church worker” after “seminary” in the second resolve and changing the title by inserting “Domestic and
Child” before the word “Abuse” were agreed to by the committee. A motion was introduced to amend the resolution
by deleting the sixth WHEREAS, which led to a motion to
recommit the resolution to the committee because the
meaning of the motion had been changed. After discussion,
a motion to end debate on the motion to recommit the resolution was carried [Yes: 969; No: 63], but the motion to
recommit failed [Yes: 438; No: 612]. The chair asked if the
assembly was ready to cease debate on the motion to
amend. Debate was ended [Yes: 953; No: 88], and the motion to amend by deleting the sixth WHEREAS failed [Yes:
135; No: 898]. Discussion continued on the main motion as
changed. When debate was ended [Yes: 1,006; No: 62], Res.
6-06 was adopted with the agreed-upon changes [Yes: 1,027;
No: 48].
The committee introduced Res. 6-03A, “To Care for Foster and Adoptive Children in a Pure and Undefiled Way re
Not Placing Children in Morally Ambiguous Contexts” (TB,
p. 197). During discussion, the committee agreed to add the
words “and revealed” after “natural” in the final resolve.
Noting the Orders of the Day, the chair asked the assem-

Committee 5 Chairman Jon Diefenthaler called attention to editorial changes to Res. 5-01B, “To Establish Specific Ministry Pastor Program” (TB, pp. 278–282) and its
introductory materials (TB, pp. 274–278) before the resolution was again placed before the convention for discussion
and action. A lengthy amendment was proposed for the introductory materials accompanying the resolution. The
chair ruled that the proposed amendment was in effect a
substitute motion and would be treated as such. After twominute speeches by the maker of the motion and the committee, the assembly determined not to consider the substitute motion [Yes: 320; No: 793]. As discussion continued,
the committee agreed to an amendment to delete the words
“others responsible for the program” in the first resolve and
replace them with “Board for Pastoral Education, and
Council of Presidents.” A motion was introduced to delete
the remainder of the first paragraph under “Step Six” after
the word “Program” and replace it with the words “will be
expected, whenever possible, to pursue the path to become
a ‘general ministry pastor.’ To accomplish this:”—also deleting the next line, “1. They may remain rostered as a specific ministry pastor.” An amendment to the amendment
was introduced to replace the word “expected” in the
amendment with “encouraged.” After debate was ended
[Yes: 1,035; No: 70], the amendment to the amendment was
adopted [Yes: 685; No: 429]. A motion to terminate debate
on the amended amendment was carried [Yes: 1,016; No:
113] but the amended amendment failed [Yes: 474; No:
665]. As discussion returned to the original resolution, a
motion was introduced to amend it by adding a final resolve: “Resolved, That the Specific Ministry Pastor Committee submit a progress report to the Synod at least nine
months prior to the 2010 convention.” The committee

2007 Convention Proceedings

Memorial Service
The chair called on Dr. Robert King and Dr. Ralph
Bohlmann to lead worship in remembrance of those departed since the last convention (TB, pp. 365–367). Dr.
King’s theme for his message was “Christ—The ‘I AM’ of
Resurrection and Life,” basing his message on the story of
Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:20–27).
Special Recognition
After the memorial service, Dr. Robert King was honored for his service to the Synod since his ordination in
1949, including service as a vice-president of the Synod for
21 years. He was presented with a gift: a marble base inscribed with mention of his service to the Synod, and a crystal cross to stand on the base, a gift intended also for Mrs.
King. The assembly honored Dr. King with a prolonged
standing ovation.