LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 105

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OTHER PRESENTATIONS
1. President’s Acceptance Speech
Thank you, dear friends in Christ, for this expression of
trust and confidence. I am deeply humbled by your vote.
Allow me to share with you a word from the apostle Paul:
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for
all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in
the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3–5)

This is now the third time the mantle of leadership of
this church body we know and love as The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has been placed on the shoulders
of a man who considers himself in many ways quite ordinary, but who, like each of you, has been blessed with extraordinary grace from God for life and ministry. Under His
grace, and guided by His Spirit, it is my humble honor and
privilege to continue serving this incredible church body in
this nearly indescribable office, which is inherently full of
both burdens and blessings.
In the past six years, I have learned firsthand that the
office of President of the LCMS is one with little authority
and much responsibility. I have learned the value of collaborative leadership, the wisdom and necessity of patience,
and the awareness of the structural limitations placed upon
the office in which I serve. I have learned to expect criticism, both from those within and those outside our Synod.
Some of that criticism is constructive, contributing to the
health and faithfulness of our church and my ministry as
its leader. Other expressions of criticism are destructive,
even sinful, seemingly intended to tear down, to attack, to
misrepresent, to characterize inaccurately and unfairly,
and to judge motives.
I am an imperfect, fallible, sinful human being, dependent on the grace of God in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and
strength. Where I have failed you in the past, I ask your
forgiveness, realizing there will be times in the future when
that request will need to be repeated. With you, I thank
God for the daily assurance of forgiveness from His gracious hand.
For quite some time, disagreement has existed in our
Synod over various matters, some of which in the past six
years have involved elected officers, members of various
boards, and other leaders. Dear friends in Christ, resources
are too precious to spend in arguing or fighting or suing
about who has or does not have contested authority. For the
sake of the Gospel, I respectfully encourage you to seek
prayerfully the perfect will of our gracious God in electing
to the other offices and to the boards and commissions of
our Synod men and women who not only are “full of the
Holy Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3) but also individuals
who share the God-given vision of our Synod to reach lost
people for Christ with the precious message of salvation
through Christ alone as the one people God has called us
to be. I pray and trust that the Spirit will lead, guide, and
direct each of your votes in the remaining elections and decisions at this convention.
We look forward to many opportunities, especially in the
next 10 years leading up to the 500th anniversary of the
Reformation, for providing collaborative leadership in

Lutheran churches around the world and through our confessional witness to the entire Christian Church on earth.
The Ablaze! movement is gaining momentum worldwide.
The Fan into Flame campaign is well on its way to providing the financial resources necessary for starting 2,000 new
missions and increasing our worldwide mission endeavors.
Our faith is active in love as God’s grace and mercy are
demonstrated in acts of Christian charity and kindness by
individuals and congregations to those in physical and spiritual need. Our universities and seminaries are genuine
blessings in the preparation of rostered and lay leaders for
the future. We have much for which to be thankful in the
LCMS. We have been blessed to be a blessing! We dare not
take that blessing for granted.
A special word of thanks is expressed to the 35 district
presidents of our Synod for their collegial, fraternal partnership in the Gospel. Their work is difficult. They do it
faithfully—and on many occasions, but not at all times—
even joyfully!
Included in this word of thanks are the five Vice-Presidents of our Synod, who have been most helpful these past
three years with their counsel, encouragement, and prayerful support. They are godly, humble men with servant
hearts. I include a special word of thanks to Dr. Robert
King, who has served the Synod as a Vice-President for 21
consecutive years, this year choosing not to stand for reelection. Dr. King, your replacement will have big shoes to
fill. These 40 members of the Council of Presidents are a
genuine blessing to our Synod. I hold you men and your
dear wives in my heart and in my prayers.
Thanks also to the members of my immediate and extended family for their sacrifices these past six years in see105

2007 Convention Proceedings