LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 41

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the story of the mother of Black Lutheranism in the Black Belt; give
thanks to God for the work of Dr. Rosa Young as told in her book,
Light In the Dark Belt; and support the Rosa Young film project
that is currently being produced.” The committee considered this
a friendly amendment. When the assembly indicated its readiness
to vote, the resolution was adopted as amended [Yes: 935; No: 46].

closed [Yes: 662; No: 296]. Before the assembly could vote on the
proposed amendment, the Orders of the Day were called.

Convention Essay—Baptized for Life Together

The chair introduced and welcomed Presidents Emeriti Rev. Dr.
Ralph Bohlmann (1981–92), Rev. Dr. Robert Kuhn (who served in
2001 at the death of President Alvin Barry), and Rev. Dr. Gerald
Kieschnick (2001–2010). The convention responded with the singing of the Doxology.

Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller, professor of theology and Dean of Christ
College at Concordia, Irvine, spoke of the effects of life apart from
God, a fundamental division between “me” and everybody and
everything else. We are left alone, too often with only shallow relationships. But while we are thus lonely, God comes to us and first
creates life together with Him by reconciling us to Him and providing opportunity for fellowship with others who are also reconciled
in Christ. The Early Church demonstrated this, not by drawing in
but by reaching out, living their Baptisms, expressing fellowship
in many ways, looking to the needs of others. By God’s grace, we
live our life together also, baptized into the Body of Christ, seeing Christ in one another—a fellowship different from that of any
other organization. And when such is not our life together, we must
return again to our Baptisms, where life together, a gift of God, is
found. [The full text of Dr. Mueller’s essay is printed elsewhere in
these 2013 Convention Proceedings.]

Committee 9: Committee for Convention Nominations

Committee 1: Witness

Greetings—Lutheran Hour Ministries
President Harrison invited Dr. Paul Maier to the podium to
introduce Executive Director Bruce Wurdeman of Lutheran Hour
Ministries to bring greetings to the convention. He spoke of great
needs and opportunities to take the Gospel into all the world.

Special Recognition—LCMS Presidents Emeriti

Committee for Convention Nominations Chairman Carl Egger
briefly addressed the convention to speak of the need to redo the
election of a lay member of the Concordia Historical Institute
Board of Governors. To do so, the convention will need to nominate at least one person for the position, such nomination to take
place at a later time after delegates will have had time to consider
possible names to place in nomination.

Committee 3: Life Together
Res. 3-16A, “To Express Thanks to the Office of the President
and Offices of National and International Mission” (TB, p. 411),
retrieved from Omnibus Resolution C earlier, was now introduced
by the committee with an additional resolve paragraph. After discussion, the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 900; No: 23].
Res. 3-11A “To Support Church Workers” (TB, pp. 245f.) was
introduced by the committee. After discussion, the chair sought
the will of the convention and called the vote. The resolution was
adopted as presented [Yes: 936; No: 13].
Res. 3-12A “To Affirm Our Worship Treasures Old and New and
Commend the Document Text, Music, Context” (TB, p. 246) was
introduced by the committee. During discussion, the committee
accepted a friendly amendment to delete the word “excellent” in
the final whereas paragraph. A show of hands closed debate and the
resolution was adopted as amended [Yes: 633; No: 274].
Res. 3-13A “To Update Synod’s Catechetical Materials” (TB,
p. 247) was introduced by the committee, changing the word
“catechism” in the final resolve paragraph to “catechetical compendium.” During discussion, a proposed amendment to replace
the second resolve paragraph with “Resolved, That the translation
of Luther’s Small Catechism published by Concordia Publishing
House (CPH) before 1986 be restored and printed with the revised
Explanation” was accepted by the committee as a friendly amendment. This decision was challenged and discussed until debate was
minutes

After calling attention to Res. 1-07B “To Support the Wittenberg Project for the Quincentennial Celebration of the Lutheran
Reformation” (TB, p. 410), Committee 1 Chairman James Baneck
introduced Rev. Michael Kumm, who reported on the status of the
Wittenberg Project. A video was shown to emphasize the importance of the project and related outreach and educational plans.
The Rev. Dr. Jacob Preus also addressed the convention regarding the educational plans associated with the project. Rev. David
Mahsman, the Synod’s representative for the project in Wittenberg, also addressed the convention and responded to questions.
He reported that $1.3 million has already been donated to this project, with approximately the same amount still needed. Delegates
were encouraged to carry the Wittenberg Project back to their districts and circuits for support, so that Lutherans and the Gospel
will have a very positive presence in Wittenberg when the celebrations of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation begin.
Res. 1-07B was then introduced by the committee and, after discussion, adopted by voice vote.
Res. 1-11 “To Recruit and Place More Career Missionaries”
(TB, pp. 55f.) was introduced by the committee. After brief discussion, the chair asked the assembly whether it was ready to vote.
The assembly agreed by a show of hands and the resolution was
adopted [Yes: 936; No: 54].
Res. 1-03A “To Complete and Engage in a Synodwide Study of
the ‘Theological Statement of Mission for the 21st Century” (TB, p.
317) was introduced by the committee after agreeing to the minor
change of removing the reference to “campaign” at the end of the
third resolve paragraph. During discussion, the committee agreed
to the addition of the words “and 2004 mission statement” after
the reference to the 1991 CTCR document in the second resolve
paragraph. A motion was also introduced to add the two new paragraphs from the version of the resolution printed on page 378 of
Today’s Business. When debate on the motion to amend was ended
[Yes: 740; No: 183], the amendment was not adopted [Yes: 357; No:
2 0 1 3 C onvention P roceedings

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