LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 41

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Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, addressed the convention.

Convention Essay: “We Preach Christ Crucified—The Wisdom
of God”

Dr. Rast spoke on the biblical and reformation heritage of
LCMS pastoral formation. Using Luther’s own words, he
noted the reformer’s unswerving advocacy for Christian
education, and that the Lutheran Reformation itself was
born out of the university. He recounted the development of
our Synod’s two seminaries and the adaptation that took
place in the case of both institutions. While adaptation has
been constant, some things remained the same, especially
the necessity for a considerable length of time for formation
and a residency requirement. He concluded by saying, “God
has richly blessed the LCMS with two excellent and faithful
seminaries. Are they perfect? No—we live in the church
militant. Is there room for improvement? Yes—and both are
committed to the pursuit of excellence. Will there be
frustrations and joys as we move forward? Yes, and yes. It
has always been that way, and it always will be—until our
Lord returns. May it be soon. ‘Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!’ (Rev.
22:20)”

[The entire text of the essay by the Rev. Dr. Russell P.
Dawn, president of Concordia University Chicago, is printed
in the 2023 Convention Proceedings.]

Dr. Egger explained why we continue to invest in and
emphasize the value of full-time residential study at our
seminaries as the optimal way to form pastors for a lifetime
of “preaching Christ crucified,” for deep formation and
worldwide impact. The Church always faces new
challenges, encounters new possibilities, and develops new
approaches; yet, “we must remind ourselves of the
enormous blessings that have come to us from our Missouri
Synod heritage of deep scriptural and theological
preparation for ministry. And we must recommit ourselves,
continually, to build upon and never to forfeit this
commitment.” While it is currently popular in education
circles to reduce the time needed for formation, Egger noted
that time is necessary in the learning and growth needed for
shaping a person for the task of proclaiming God’s Word.
This time investment includes daily chapel, the community
established at the seminaries, and regular interactions
between students and faculty members. Dr. Egger
addressed the generosity needed to continue with our two
seminaries and gave thanks for the generosity of the Synod
in allowing both seminaries to guarantee free tuition for
residential ministerial formation students and to continue
to resource the Church at home and abroad. He concluded:
“For these reasons, in-person seminary formation should
continue to be the centerpiece of our church’s shared work
in forming pastors for a lifetime of Gospel ministry. Both
seminaries thank you, the people of the LCMS, for your
strong support of this endeavor. Your convictions regarding
the ministry and the Word of God have provided us the time,
the place, and the experienced faculty for this joyous work of
preparing pastors, missionaries, and deaconesses. For the
sake of the church’s confession and mission, here and
throughout the world. In the Lord’s name, thank you. God
bless you.”

Minutes

Committee 13: Registration, Credentials, and Elections –
Balloting for Other Boards and Commissions
With President Harrison resuming the chair, the chair
called Committee 13 Chairman Scott Sailer to the podium to
conduct the next elections in the prescribed order.
Chairman Sailer continued with the order of elections.
During the elections, the President relinquished the chair to
First Vice-President Peter K. Lange and then resumed it.
Board for National Mission (Ordained/Commissioned, East-Southeast
Region, 6-year term)
Adolfo Borges (FG)
357
Timothy J. Droegemueller (FG)481

(declared elected)

Board for National Mission (Ordained/Commissioned, Great Plains
Region, 6-year term)
Richard Boring (NEB)
Mark E. Moss (MNS)
Craig K. Niemeier (NEB)

183
164
543

(declared elected)

Board for National Mission (Lay, Central Region, 6-year term)
Seth Hinz (MO)
Shirley A. Jackson (MO)
Stephen Weller (KS)

287
230
396

382
523

(declared elected)

Board for National Mission (Lay, Great Lakes Region, 6-year term)
David R. Meissner (SW)
Crysten Sanchez (IE)

191
740

(declared elected)

Board for National Mission (Lay, West-Southwest Region, 6-year term)
Carol A. Hack-Broome (CNH) 433 547
Linda Kurtz (PSW)
307 391
Noreen L. Linke (RM)
196

(declared elected)

Board for International Mission (Ordained/Commissioned, Central
Region, 6-year term)
Peter J. Brock (IN)
James D. Gier Jr. (IN)
Wilfred L. Karsten (CI)
Steven R. Schumacher (IN)

239 249
306 371 469
133
276 334 466

(decl. el.)

Board for International Mission (Ordained/Commissioned, Great Lakes
Region, 6-year term)
David P. Stechholz (EN)
Scott Yakimow (MI)

482
486

(declared elected)

Board for International Mission (Ordained/Commissioned, WestSouthwest Region, 6-year term)
James D. Bauer (RM)
Terrence Chan (CNH)
Glen Fluegge (PSW)
Gregory N. Heidorn (NOW)

388 468
351 498
115
114

(declared elected)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 41