LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 45

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routes to ordained ministry presently authorized by the
Synod, various and disparate changes requested in
overtures received, and the principle that the Synod reserves
to itself the right to authorize routes to ordained ministry,
with regard to which decisions purity of doctrine, unity,
pastoral care, outreach, missions, etc. are at stake.
Res. 6-01, “To Affirm and Strengthen Set Apart to Serve in
Word and Action” (TB, 1:129–30), was, after introductory
words by LCMS Office of Pastoral Education Executive
Director James Baneck, read and introduced by the
committee. The chair, noting he has heard no opposition to
the initiative, and without objection, called for an
immediate voice vote; the resolution was adopted.
Res. 6-02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation
through Our Synod’s Seminaries” (TB, 4:413–14), was read
and introduced by the committee.
It was moved and seconded to add a resolve, “That the
seminaries and Pastoral Formation Committee work to
research and create additional paths to pastoral formation.”
The chair suggested that this be added instead to Res. 6-03A,
and the amendment was not pursued.
It was moved and seconded to amend at TB 4:414, line 17,
to strike the word “strongly” and to add an additional resolve
as the fourth, “That district presidents and seminaries be
strongly encouraged to direct men to any proper Synodapproved route to ordination that is appropriate for the
individual and their context.” The committee noted the
strike would be from a quotation of 2019 Res. 6-02, which
could only awkwardly be accommodated. After some debate
the question was called on the amendment; this was carried
by voice vote. The amendment failed [Yes: 369; No: 573].
With twenty minutes of debate elapsed, the chair called the
question; this was carried by voice vote. Res. 6-02A was
adopted by voice vote.
Presentation: Military Chaplains
The chair invited the Rev. Craig G. Muehler, executive
director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, to bring
greetings to the Synod from all her chaplains. Muehler
expressed thanks for congregational prayers and
congregations sending more pastors to serve as chaplains.
He noted that our chaplains have the blessing and
confidence of knowing that they have the entire Synod who
supports them, prays for them, and defends their rights to
be free to be faithful. He encouraged congregations to
provide names and contact information for all LCMS men
and women who serve in the armed forces to the Ministry to
the Armed Forces Office so that they can be connected with
Lutheran spiritual care and support that they need and
deserve. Chaplain Muehler then introduced three chaplain
representatives to the convention: Army Chaplain Bobby
Niemtschk, Navy Chaplain Kenneth Bomberger, and
Chaplain Keith Witte.
Retired Army Chaplain Steven Hokana spoke about the
Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal, which he then presented to
Minutes

Retired Chaplain, Rear Admiral Daniel Gard, USN, retired.
Rear Admiral Gregory Todd, Chief of Chaplains of the United
States Navy, read the St. Martin of Tours Citation and
addressed the assembly.
Committee 3: Mercy
The chair recognized Chairman Brady L. Finnern to
resume the report of his committee.
Res. 3-02A, “To Increase Awareness among Synod
Congregations of Human Trafficking” (TB, 2B:301), was read
and introduced by the committee. The chair immediately
called the question, which was carried by voice vote. The
resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Res. 3-03A, “To Continue the Synod’s Efforts to Address
Mental Health and Mental Illness” (TB, 2B:302–4), was read
and introduced by the committee. The chair immediately
called the question, but allowed an amendment that was
moved and seconded, namely to insert before TB 2B:303,
line 9, a whereas, “Persons seeking help for mental health
issues face stigma and bias against them,” and before line 35,
a resolve: “That the Synod discourage its members and
congregations from attaching stigma to or being biased
against persons seeking help for mental health issues.” With
the committee favorable and no objection from the body, the
amendment was adopted. Res. 3-03A was then adopted as
amended by an immediate and unanimous voice vote.
Res. 3-04A, “To Commend and Give Thanks for Synod Work
regarding Disaster Response” (TB, 2B:304), was read and
introduced by the committee. The chair immediately called
the question, which was carried by voice vote. The
resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Responsive Prayer I
Chaplain Sean Daenzer led the convention in the Order
of Responsive Prayer, with the text, Proverbs 8:22–31; Kantor
Machemer and guitarist Schempf provided accompaniment.

Session 7
Wednesday a.m., August 2, 2023
Matins
The Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto, associate dean for Urban and
Cross-Cultural Ministry, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
preached on Romans 3:21–26 in the Office of Matins;
Chaplain Daenzer served as liturgist; Kantor Machemer, as
accompanist; and the presidents of Latin America partner
churches, LCMS missionaries to Spanish-speaking areas,
and other guests, as the choir.
[The entire text of Dr. Prieto’s sermon is printed in the
2023 Convention Proceedings.]
Greetings—Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty
The Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz addressed the assembly to
share the work of his organization, strengthening Lutherans
to proclaim freely the full Word of God to a world possessed
of utopian notions of governmental benevolence—and one
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 45