LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 9

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SYNOD REPORTS 9

On many occasions I have supported the introduction of
Lutheran Service Book (LSB) with special acknowledgments to the
Commission on Worship and commendation of LSB.

2-04 To Affirm Responsible Use of Freedom in Worship

In conversations with the Commission on Worship, | affirmed
respect for diversity in worship and encouraged the commission in
its development of diverse worship resources for use in the Synod.
The commission has appointed a committee to pursue this matter
and will be reporting its recommendations to the 2007 convention.

2-07 To Reaffirm Lutheran Educators and Schools

In my regular e-news Letter to Pastors I highlighted the roles of
Lutheran educators and other church work professionals on an on-
going basis. In addition, I visited and addressed various educators’
conferences in districts of the Synod.

2-09 To Commit to Strengthening Lutheran Doctrinal Education

In visits to the campuses of all ten Concordia colleges and uni-
versities and multiple visits to our two seminaries and in public ad-
dresses and written communications I have continued to promote
the maintenance of a strong and solid confessional basis for all that
we do in mission and ministry for our Lord and His Church.

3-01 To Formally Declare Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya

In addition to implementing this fellowship relationship ac-
cording to protocol documents, various LCMS leaders and I per-
sonally visited the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya in 2006.
As is true of most of the church bodies with whom the LCMS has
declared altar and pulpit fellowship, the ELCK is rich in spirit and
poor in resources, Significant time and resources have been shared
with this partner church in the past three years.

3-02 To Encourage the International Lutheran Council

As a member of the executive committee of the ILC, I have
continued to support and participate in the work of the council. I
attended the biennial meeting of the council in Berlin in 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’ Confer-
ence, 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 indi-
vidual 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 constitu-
tion 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 func-
tions” or “public accountability for the function of the pastoral of-
fice.” 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 desig-
nated the 2007 National Offering with a goal of $1 million to be
directed toward pastoral formation worldwide. Two-thirds of all
gifts received will support Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO,
and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. The re-
maining one-third will support the preparation of pastors at semi-
naries 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

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 in-
debtedness related to compensation. The report of that task force
has been shared with the Synod. Furthermore, I have articulated on
many occasions that priority be given to recruitment, training, com-
pensation, and retention of professional church workers. I am en-
couraging 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 Presi-
dent 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 Re-
search and Cures Initiative, and issued a joint statement with the
executive director of LCMS Human Care on the issue of immigra-
tion.

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 pro-
cedure 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, confer-
ences, etc., is included below. I believe it is self-explanatory and
provides the reader with a brief glimpse into the scope of responsi-
bility 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

2007 Convention Workbook