[m-m-online] Convention Update

[Minister to Minister online]

Convention Update
Thursday, July 19, 2007

The Convention recognized several representatives form our International 
partner churches, former officers of Synod and United States church 
leaders. The convention also received greetings from the President of 
the ELCA.

+ Missions #1
1-04 To Encourage an Intentional Mission Development Focus

+ Structure and Governance #8
8-07 To Call Special Convention to Amend Synod Structures and Governance 
(Substitute Motion)
After two days of discussion (several sessions) the delegates approved a 
substitute motion to hold a special convention for the purposes stated 
in the title of this resolution. One provision of this resolution is 
that delegates to the 63rd Convention would also serve as delegates to 
this special convention.

8-13 To amend Bylaws for Special Convention
This is necessary because of the passage of resolution 8-07

8-04 To Provide Wording for Congregations' Constitutions and Bylaws
Because of our confessional position that congregations be encouraged to 
include words like "inspired", "inerrant", "infallible", with respect to 
the written Word of God in their constitution and bylaws.

8-05A To Encourage the Study of CTCR Documents Relating to Public Rebuke 
of Public Sin and to Amend Synodical Bylaws Relating to Matthew 18
This resolution affirms that Matthew 18 does not apply directly in cases 
of public sin; that the Commission on Constitutional Matters be directed 
to bring the Handbook of Synod into harmony with that understanding; and 
that Synod in convention encourages all members of Synod to study the 
CTCR documents on this subject.

+ Seminary and Universities #5
5-03A To Strengthen Seminary Boards of Regents (Amended)
Permission was given to appoint four members to their Boards.

+ Program and Finance #4
4-16 To Hold 2010 Convention in Houston, Texas District, LCMS
Because the Texas District extended an invitation to host the 2010 
Convention; and because the costs for conducting a convention are 
considerably less than in other cities with facilities to host such a 
convention; and because there are two major airports with hubs in 
Houston making it more easily accessible; and because the people in 
Texas are so friendly (OK I just made that up); the convention voted by 
87% to return to Houston in 2010.

4-10 To Encourage Funding for Center For Hispanic Ministries
This ministry is currently receiving some funding by Concordia Seminary 
in St. Louis. This resolution requested the Board of Directors to find 
additional funding support.

+ Human Care #6
6-04A To Encourage and Assist Congregations to Respond to the Ministry 
Needs of The Immigrants in Their Midst
The writer encourages readers to read this resolution in its entirety to 
understand all of the nuances.

6-07 To Include People With Disabilities in All Aspects of the Church's Life
This resolution recommends seminaries and universities for their efforts 
to educate church work students for ministry with people with 
disabilities and encourages entities of Synod and individual members to 
advocate for people with disabilities.

+ Planning and Administration #7
7-10A To Amend Bylaws 1.9 and 3.9.3 Pertaining to Doctrinal Review Process

+ Missions #1
1-08 To Commend Lutheran Hour Ministries for Its Faithful Mission Focus

1-03 To Prepare New Study and Increase Emphasis on Priesthood of All 
Believers
This resolution urges the CTCR in consultation with the Board of 
Missions to prepare a comprehensive study document which clearly 
presents the biblical teaching of the royal priesthood in light of the 
mission challenge of today.

1-04 To Encourage an Intentional Mission Development Focus

1-10 To Encourage Creative Partnerships Between Districts and 
Congregations and the LCMS Sister and Partner Churches
In this resolution the President urged congregations to work through the 
Mission Board when developing those creative partnerships.

1-11 To Continue Assessing LCMS Campus Ministry and its Association with 
the ELCA

+ Structure and Governance #8
8-06 To Recommend Further Study of Composition of Hearing Panels in 
Bylaws 2.14,2.15, and 2.17
This resolution authorized a special commission to address this issue.

8-10 To Refer for Theological Study CCM Opinions 02-2296, 02-2309 and 
02-2320

+ Seminary and University #5
5-07A To Change CUS Membership Structure

+ Human Care #6
6-09 To Encourage Ministry to Armed Forces Personnel and Families

6-08 To Encourage Congregations to Provide Professional Church Worker 
Sabbaticals

+ District and Congregational Services #2
2-07A To Encourage Christian Forgiveness and Greater Use of Individual 
Confession and Absolution

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In an effort to get this news update out prior to traveling, the final 
resolves are being given without comment or explanation

Some notes about other daily events of the convention:

Each day the convention heard a stimulating Bible Study led by one of 
the Vice Presidents of Synod

Each day delegates saw brief "Ablaze" video segments showing how God is 
working in and through everyday men and women to connect people to Jesus.

Please thank your delegate when you next see her or him. Delegates began 
their day at 7:55am until 12:30. Then again 1:55 until 6:00 or 6:30pm. 
On Tuesday evening the delegates came back for an evening session 
from7:25 to 9:00pm. There were no breaks…just continuous work.

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Just a reminder that for the first time, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the 
proceedings will be available via Internet streaming on the Synod's Web 
site, http://www.lcms.org/convention/.

For the most timely and complete convention news as the convention is in 
progress, go to Reporter Online at http://reporter.lcms.org.

And, for the status of elections and resolutions, as well as for a daily 
photo gallery, go to the convention Web site at www.lcms.org/convention.

John Goeke