LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 65

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
2005 and numerous other meetings on behalf of the ILC. The
next biennial meeting of the ILC is scheduled for September
24–30, 2007, in Accra, Ghana (West Africa).
3-03A To Foster Peace, Harmony, and Trust
within Synod for Sake of Christ’s Mission
On innumerable occasions I have addressed publicly and
in print scriptural and confessional principles for promoting
unity and trust in the Synod. Much time and energy was devoted to planning and participating in the 2006 National Circuit Counselors’ Conference, the first conference of its kind
since 1991, at which this issue was addressed.
3-06A To Commend CTCR Report on Guidelines
for Participation in Civic Events
As directed in this resolution, I have consistently commended this document to the Synod for use when congregations and individual members of the Synod were faced with
the possibility of participation in civic events.
3-08A To Affirm the Conclusions of the 1994 CTCR
Report: The Service of Women in Congregational
and Synodical Offices
Shortly after the 2004 convention, I appointed a special
task force to create guidelines for congregations and district
constitution committees to follow in revising congregational
constitutions and bylaws to permit women to hold congregational offices so long as their assigned responsibilities do not
include “distinctive functions” or “public accountability for the
function of the pastoral office.” That report was widely disseminated in the Synod and remains readily available.
4-02A To Provide Support for Seminaries
In preparation for the 2007 convention of the Synod, I designated the 2007 National Offering with a goal of $1 million
to be directed toward pastoral formation worldwide. Twothirds of all gifts received will support Concordia Seminary
in St. Louis, MO, and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort
Wayne, IN. The remaining one-third will support the preparation of pastors at seminaries of LCMS partner churches
around the world.
5-01 To Emphasize Mission Leadership Focus
in Professional Church Worker and Lay Person
Preparation
In my visits to LCMS colleges, universities, and seminaries, I have encouraged this emphasis among the presidents,
faculties, and staffs, and continue to do so in communications
with other Synod leaders as well.
5-03A To Increase the Number of Synod-Certified
Teachers and
6-02A To Make Compensation and Health Care
of Church Workers a High Priority
The recruitment and retention initiative known as “What
a Way!” continues to highlight opportunities and encouragement for recruiting and retaining professional church workers. In addition, I appointed a task force to address the issue
of church worker indebtedness related to compensation. The
report of that task force has been shared with the Synod.

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Furthermore, I have articulated on many occasions that priority be given to recruitment, training, compensation, and
retention of professional church workers. I am encouraging
the Council of Presidents to provide leadership in this very
important matter in the years ahead.
6-01 To Address National Human Care Priorities
On numerous occasions I issued statements in support of
President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would have expanded federal funding for
human embryonic stem-cell research, addressed the proposed
Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, and issued a joint statement with the executive director of LCMS
Human Care on the issue of immigration.
7-01A To Revise Bylaws to Clarify Election Process
These newly revised bylaws will be implemented at our
2007 convention.
7-14 To Amend the Procedure for Filling Vacancies
When and where appropriate, I have helped facilitate the
procedure created by this resolution.
8-01A To Amend Bylaws on Ecclesiastical
Supervision and Dispute Resolution
As called upon to do so I have implemented and supported
this amended procedure in accord with the duties of the Office
of the President.
Presidential Participation in Events, Meetings,
Conferences, etc.
A summary of my participation in events, meetings, conferences, etc., is included below. I believe it is self-explanatory and provides the reader with a brief glimpse into the
scope of responsibility of the person who occupies this office.

President’s Activities
Groups or Categories

Number of Meetings,
Events, etc.

Boards, Committees, Commissions,
Forums, Auxiliaries, etc.

196

Council of Presidents

17

District Conventions

20

District Pastors Conferences/
All Workers Conferences

8

Visits to Seminary, College,
and University Campuses

28

Congregational Anniversaries,
Dedications, etc.

44

Other Conferences, Miscellaneous
Conventions, etc.

31

Miscellaneous Events—Out of town

65

Miscellaneous Meetings/Events—St. Louis

82

Meetings with Individual Pastors,
Lay, Staff, etc.

Countless

2007 Convention Proceedings