LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 32

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historic partnership and for the precious gift of the theology
of the cross and for sending missionaries to Brazil.

saved his life in a rocket attack and then that of a colleague,
as well.

Shauen Trump, regional director for the Office of
International Mission, next introduced Bishop John
Shaddrack Donkoh of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Ghana, who read Psalm 145:4–6, led the assembly in the
Lord’s Prayer, and blessed the assembly with the Aaronic
Benediction.

Res. 5-05A, “To Recognize the Ceylon Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka as a Self-Governing Partner
Church” (TB, 2B:304–6), was read and introduced by the
committee. The resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall
be so” voice vote, the resolution was so adopted,
unanimously, and the common doxology was sung. Bishop
A. Arulchelvan, who could not be present, was represented
by Pastor Steven Mahlburg, LCMS Office of International
Mission Missionary to Sri Lanka, in the reading of the
bishop’s remarks to the assembly, the remarks included in
Monday’s Today’s Business.

Committee 5: Theology and Church Relations
The chair recognized Chairman Brian S. Saunders,
president of the Iowa East District, to begin the report of his
committee.
Res. 5-01, “To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and
Sudan” (TB, 1:109–10), was read and introduced by the
committee. A delegate having requested that the vote be
taken by the convention’s saying, “yea, yea, it shall be so,”
the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the
common doxology was sung. The Rev. Peter Anibati Abia
addressed the assembly, with his remarks included in
Monday’s Today’s Business.
Res. 5-02, “To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland”
(TB, 1:111–13), was read and introduced by the committee.
The resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice
vote, the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the
common doxology was sung. President Harrison having
read a commemorative plaque, Bishop Juhana Pohjola
addressed the assembly, with his remarks included in
Monday’s Today’s Business.
Res. 5-03, “To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with the Lutheran Church of Uganda” (TB, 1:113–15), was
read and introduced by the committee. The resolution being
put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice vote, the resolution
was so adopted, unanimously, and the common doxology
was sung. President Harrison having noted a plaque
commemorating the fellowship being consummated by the
convention today, Bishop Charles I. Bameka addressed the
assembly, with his remarks included in Monday’s Today’s
Business.
Res. 5-04, “To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine” (TB,
1:115–17), was read and introduced by the committee. The
resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice vote,
the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the
common doxology was sung. President Harrison having
noted a plaque commemorating the fellowship being
consummated by the convention today, Bishop Serge
Maschewski addressed the assembly, with his remarks
included in Monday’s Today’s Business. He presented
President Harrison with a helmet purchased, along with
others and with flak jackets, for the pastors of his church by
the LCMS Office of International Mission, a helmet that

32 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Committee 3: Mercy
The chair recognized Chairman Brady L. Finnern,
president of the Minnesota North District, to begin the
report of his committee. After a lighthearted moment with
the chair, he did so, noting the man who cried out, “Jesus,
Son of God, have mercy on me,” the Kyrie: “Lord, have
mercy,” and other biblical texts mentioning the divine
mercy, which the Synod seeks to carry out throughout the
world. He noted the Synod’s Million-Dollar Life Match,
noting the Lord’s call to be merciful means we take action to
have mercy in His name. Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor,
director of LCMS Life Ministry, was invited to share
statistics regarding this mercy project. She invited forward
representatives of two Wisconsin congregations and related
organizations to present them with their phase 4 Life Match
grants and to give thanks to God for their work.
Res. 3-01, “To Encourage and Support More Fervent
Teaching, Proclamation, and Efforts to Promote Culture of
Life among God’s People” (TB, 1:96), was read and
introduced by the committee.
It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution by
adding a resolve as follows: “That the Synod in convention
give thanks to God for His unending mercies, especially in
overturning Roe v. Wade, thus preserving the lives of many
unborn children.” The amendment was adopted by a show
of hands.
It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution to
insert as a second-last resolve, “That the Synod expand its
definition of life ministry to include a whole life approach to
include support for gun violence prevention initiatives,
abolition of the death penalty, advocacy for proper health
care provided to all people, etc.” It was moved and seconded
to close debate on the amendment; this was carried by voice
vote. The amendment failed by voice vote.
Noting the orders of the day, and without objection, the
chair put Res. 3-01 as once amended to voice vote; the
resolution was adopted. Deaconess Manor again addressed
the assembly regarding LCMS Life Ministry.

Minutes