LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 31

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1,500 miles to Jerusalem because he was a pious man and a reader
of the Old Testament. But he didn’t “get it” until the Lord moved
Philip out of Jerusalem to reach out to this man of religion not connected to Christ. The man needed help, and Philip talked about
Jesus in such a manner that the Good News became clear. Missing
the message is the same as being lost, and so many miss the message today. Our Baptisms send us out to witness to such people.

Greetings—Concordia Publishing House
The chair introduced Dr. Bruce Kintz, President and CEO of
Concordia Publishing House, who spoke of CPH’s 15-year focus
to make Concordia Publishing House the best it can be, with its
main focus on the customer. While CPH is a business, it is first
and foremost a Christian business with good business practices,
which has led to awards granted by the State of Missouri and the
United States government. A film clip of the Malcolm Baldridge
Award Presentation to CPH in Washington DC was shown to the
assembly to provide opportunity for it to “share the excitement of
receiving the award.”

Committee 8: Registration Report
The chair called on Floor Committee 8 for the latest registration report, provided by Committee Chairman Dan Gilbert. The
chair, hearing no objection, declared the report accepted as given:
Voting delegates		
Advisory delegates		
Advisory representatives		
Total delegates and representatives

1,195
155
161
1,511

Committee 1: Witness
President Harrison introduced North Dakota District President James Baneck, Chairman of Floor Committee 1, who in turn
introduced the members of his committee according to subcommittees, expressed his appreciation for their knowledge and service,
and summarized the work of the committee.
Res. 1-01A “To Highlight and Strengthen the Global Seminary
Initiative” (TB, p. 316) was introduced with a video in support
of the global seminary initiative. Dr. Albert Collver then introduced Lutheran Church of Nigeria Archbishop Christian Ekong,
who spoke of conditions and challenges faced by his church body
and the importance of the support it has received and continues
to receive from the LCMS. He provided a token of appreciation to
President Harrison, a sculpture depicting “the African way.” Dr.
Collver also introduced Rev. Alexey Streltsov, Rector of the Siberia
Evangelical Lutheran Church seminary, who also spoke very favorably of the seminary initiative. Committee Chairman Baneck then
called attention to recent changes made to newly published Res.
1-01A, following which the resolution was read and introduced by
the committee. After the discussion had gone on for some time,
the chair asked the assembly whether it was ready to end debate.
After debate was ended [Yes: 939; No: 22], Res. 1-01A was adopted
as presented [Yes: 986; No: 12].
Before moving on to another resolution, time was taken for a
special presentation by Edward Grimenstein of the LCMS missions
staff honoring foreign missionaries who completed service to the
church since last convention. Rev. Dr. Gordon Beck was introduced
representing short-term missionaries; Ms. Katie Lane representminutes

ing GEO (Globally Engaged in Outreach) missionaries; Mr. Darin
Storkson and Dr. Alice Brauer representing career missionaries;
and Mrs. Alice Paul, appearing on behalf of Dr. Stephen Lutz, representing the faithful departed.
Res. 1-02 “To Recognize and Give Thanks for Missionaries and
Their Families” (TB, p. 49) was introduced by the committee. The
chair called for a voice vote and declared the motion carried. The
hymn “Lift High the Cross” was sung as directed by the resolution.
Res. 1-06A “To Amend Bylaws 6.1.3 (h) and 6.2.1 (d) Auxiliaries and Recognized Service Organizations to Respect Church
Relations Protocol Documents” (TB, pp. 319f.) was introduced by
the committee. After discussion, a motion to end debate was carried [Yes: 847; No: 96] and Res. 1-06A was adopted as presented
[Yes: 867; No: 119].

Convention Essay—Baptized for Witness
Dr. Albert Collver introduced Bishop Amos Bolay of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia, explaining that Bishop Bolay
sought out the Missouri Synod while studying at the St. Louis seminary. He expressed thanks to the leadership of the LCMS for their
friendship and support, confident that partnership with the Synod
will help his church body to be confessionally Lutheran. He referred
to Baptism as God’s way of enlisting us for kingdom work in His
service.
An important part of that service is witnessing as workers in
His mission. He provided a brief review of the Liberian Church
and its uniqueness, a church body begun by LCMS missionaries
who had to leave because of civil turmoil but not without providing continued support in other ways, including support of a refugee
congregation in Guinea that led to the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia. After recalling dangerous personal
experiences during the civil war in his country, he spoke of the everpresent love of God in Christ who is still in control. Even those
situations provided opportunities to witness and served to bring
the church together. [The full text of Bishop Bolay’s essay is printed
elsewhere in these 2013 Convention Proceedings.]

Committee 4: Theology and Church Relations
President Harrison called on Committee 4 Chairman Scott
Murray, who, before beginning his presentation, introduced the
members of his floor committee and thanked them for their work.
Res. 4-01 “To Endorse Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia” (TB, pp. 84f.) was
introduced by the committee. During discussion, a motion was
introduced and carried to end debate [Yes: 918; No: 29], following which Res. 4-01 was adopted as presented [Yes: 946; No: 7].
The assembly celebrated this partnership in the Gospel by rising
and singing the Doxology. In response, Rev. James N. S. Kollie,
Chairman of Ordained Ministers and Doctrinal Review of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia, expressed thanks for this
partnership. He introduced Rev. Samuel S. Y. Navoh, Vice-President of the church body.
Res. 4-04 “To Affirm Growing Mutual Relationships among
International Lutheran Church Bodies” (TB, pp. 89f.) was introduced by the committee and adopted without discussion [Yes: 981;
No: 6].
2 0 1 3 C onvention P roceedings

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