LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 46

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

46

MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

cluded bylaw changes. A motion to amend Bylaw 1.9.1.1 (b)
by adding the words “Each page of the document shall be
prominently marked ‘not doctrinally reviewed’” was defeated (Yes: 395; No: 457). A motion to amend Bylaw 1.9.1.1
(b) by deleting in its first sentence the words “or immediately following the title page” and replacing them with the
words “the cover and title page in print not smaller than
fourteen-point type” also failed (Yes: 404; No: 467). A motion to divide the question was ruled by the chair to be a
substitute motion, which the assembly decided not to consider (Yes: 227: No: 633). Returning to the resolution as
presented, the chair asked the assembly whether it was
ready to cease debate (Yes: 750; No: 116). Debate ended,
Res. 7-10A was adopted (Yes: 761; No: 119). The following
delegate asked to have his negative vote recorded in the
minutes: John Riley.
Committee 1: Missions
Res. 1-08, “To Commend Lutheran Hour Ministries for
Its Faithful Mission Focus” (TB, pp. 58–59), was introduced
by the committee. After the entire resolution was read, the
resolution was adopted without discussion (Yes: 735; No:
95). The following delegate asked to have his negative vote
recorded in the minutes: Benjamin Ball.
Res. 1-03, “To Prepare New Study and Increase Emphasis on Priesthood of All Believers” (TB, p. 56), was introduced by the committee, reading the entire resolution. A
motion immediately to end debate was not carried (Yes:
391; No: 457). In the discussion that followed, the committee responded to a motion to strike the final resolve with a
suggestion that “after approval by the Synod in convention”
be inserted into the final resolve after the word “That.” This
was agreed to by the delegate who had made the motion to
amend. An additional amendment to insert “and Luther’s
teaching on vocation” after “priesthood” in the first resolve
was also agreed to by the committee. After the assembly
agreed to end debate (Yes: 732; No: 117), Res. 1-03 was
adopted (Yes: 714; No: 151). The following delegates asked
to have their negative votes recorded in the minutes:
Ronald Kabitzke, Henry J. Koopmann.
Res. 1-04, “To Encourage an Intentional Mission Development Focus” (TB, pp. 56–57), was introduced by the committee and adopted without discussion (Yes: 708; No: 115).
Res. 1-10, “To Encourage Creative Partnerships between
Districts and Congregations and the LCMS Sister and
Partner Churches” (TB, p. 59), was introduced by the committee. During discussion, changes were made to the resolves, inserting “individuals, congregations, institutions,
organizations, and auxiliaries” after “districts” in the first
resolve, and replacing “congregations within these districts”
with “all these entities” in the second resolve. Resolution 110 was then adopted as changed (Yes: 768; No: 57).
Res. 1-11, “To Continue Assessing LCMS Campus Ministry and Its Association with the ELCA” (TB, p. 60), was
introduced by the committee. During discussion, an amendment was offered to delete from the final WHEREAS paragraph the words “‘I believe it is important for me to state
my ongoing impression that, at many levels, the ELCA continues to demonstrate a vastly different understanding of
the authority of Holy Scripture and interpretation of the
2007 Convention Proceedings

Lutheran Confessions than does The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod’ (CW, p. 8).” The chair tested the will of the
assembly for terminating debate on the amendment, and
debate was ended by voice vote. The amendment was defeated (Yes: 202; No: 613). After again terminating debate
by voice vote, Res. 1-11 was adopted as presented (Yes: 689;
No: 137).
Committee 8: Synod Structure and Governance
Res. 8-06, “To Recommend Further Study of Composition of Hearing Panels in Bylaws 2.14, 2.15, and 2.17” (TB,
pp. 148–149), was introduced by the committee. An amendment to replace the reference to the 2010 convention in the
final resolve with reference to the 2009 special convention
was offered and then withdrawn. Res. 8-06 was adopted as
presented (Yes: 654; No: 89).
Res. 8-10, “To Refer for Theological Study CCM Opinions 02-2296, 02-2309, and 02-2320” (TB, p. 151), was introduced by the committee. During discussion, a substitute
resolution was proposed (TB, p. 378). After comments by
the delegate proposing the substitute resolution and the
floor committee, the chair invited comment from the Commission on Constitutional Matters. When a delegate challenged this action by the chair on the basis of Special
Standing Rule 15, the assembly upheld the action of the
chair (Yes: 469; No: 333). After the assembly voted not to
consider the substitute resolution (Yes: 375; No: 426), discussion continued on the main motion. A motion was offered to amend the resolution with Overture 8-37 (CW, p.
273). After the chair had ruled the amendment a substitute
resolution and after the maker of the motion and the floor
committee had been given opportunity to speak, the assembly declined to consider the substitute resolution (Yes:
272; No: 513). After debate was terminated (Yes: 615; No:
175), Res. 8-10 was adopted (Yes: 603; No: 191). The following delegates asked to have their negative votes
recorded in the minutes: Frederick Davison, Henry J. Koopmann, Le Roy B. Sundbom.
Committee 5: Seminary and University Education
Res. 5-07A, “To Change CUS Membership Structure”
(TB, pp. 195–196), was introduced by the committee and
further explanation was offered by Dr. Alan Borcherding of
the Board for University Education staff. When the presence of a quorum was questioned, the chair asked delegates
to use their keypads to indicate their attendance (706 delegates voted). A quorum being present, Res. 5-07A was voted
on and adopted (Yes: 611; No: 78).
Floor Committee 5 having completed its work, Committee
Chairman Jon Diefenthaler recognized Dr. L. Dean Hempelmann, retiring Executive Director of the Board for Pastoral
Education, for his service to the Synod. Dr. Hempelmann received a standing ovation from the assembly.
Committee 2: District and Congregational Services
Res. 2-09, “To Initiate Planning for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation” (TB, pp. 66–67), was introduced
by the committee. The resolution was adopted (Yes: 627;
No: 85) without discussion.