Christ Is Risen Indeed – Day 5 of the LCMS National Convention
Wednesday, July 22
Contributed by Pastor Steve Heinsen
Northwest District Secretary
Upon awakening to the chirping of my travel alarm this morning, I realized that today is the final full day of the LCMS Convention. I had two responses to this: It did send a feeling of relief and hope surging through me. But it also brought to mind the reality that much significant work remains to be accomplished. The good news is that the Lord will continue to guide the delegates as we work together to connect people to Jesus around the world. One significant change this morning is that we did not have a NOW District delegate breakfast today. This has been a rallying and focus point for our delegates, and a great source of fuel for the system to get the day going.
That being said, a group of seven people, including District President Mike Von Behren, took a 3.75-mile run at 6 a.m. to the Arizona state capitol building in nearly 90-degree temperatures.
Opening worship at 8 a.m. was Morning Prayer led by Rev. Benjamin Ball, the 2nd Vice President of the Synod and Central Region Vice President. The Consent Calendar for the day was then shared with the Convention. No resolutions were moved out of the Consent Calendar this morning.
Resolutions Adopted By Consent:
3-07 – To Give Thanks To God for Synod Congregations Engaging in Mercy Ministries
5-12 – To Conclude Created Male and Female Task Force and Receive Its Recommendations
8-03 – To Fund our Synod’s Seminaries
8-05A – To Give Thanks for Concordia Publishing House’s Use of Bible Translations
8-06 – To Commend Concordia Publishing House for Prioritizing Mission and Distribution
Greetings and an update on the work of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League were shared by the LWML President Eden Keefe. Greetings were also shared from Lutheran Hour Ministries Chief Executive Officer Kurt Buchholz.
Floor Committee #8 – Finance led the way this morning. The following resolutions were adopted in the morning session for Committee #8:
Committee #8 – Finance
8-04A – To Expand Access to the Lutheran Confessions – Voice vote approval
8-02A – To Amend Bylaws Section 3.7 to Clarify Additional Assigned Responsibilities and Provisions on the Board of Trustees Concordia Plans / Board of Directors – Concordia Plans Services – Voice vote approval
8-07 – To Address Concordia Publishing House Shipping Charges – Voice vote approval
8-01 – To Encourage Transparency and Accountability in Legal Judgments and Settlements – Voice vote approval
A new delegate resolution was presented to the floor titled, “To Require Transparency and Accountability Regarding Concluded HotChalk Litigation.” The intent of this resolution was to make public the cost of legal fees for this litigation, as well as how this was paid for. After discussion, the new resolution failed, only receiving 46% of the vote.
Up next was Floor Committee #9 – Structure and Administration. Several resolutions in this committee’s presentation received considerable debate and discussion. Resolution 9-13A – To Adopt Recommendations of 2023 Resolution 9-06A Task Force on Electoral Circuit Parameters had an amendment presented to allow the Synod President to make exceptions for Electoral Circuits that are too small or too large when recommended by their respective District Board of Directors, as is currently being allowed. The original resolution allowed for no exceptions being made. The amendment was approved in a fairly close vote.
Resolution 9-18 – To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2 to Elect the Synod President at Convention had a motion to substitute Resolution 9-15 in its place. That substitute resolution, entitled “To Increase Congregation Participation in Election of Synod President,” kept in place the current system where each congregation is allowed to vote for the Synod President prior to the convention, versus having the delegates to the Synod Convention itself take that vote at the convention. After significant discussion, the substitute resolution was passed, and the original motion to move the election to the convention was dropped. The following resolutions were adopted in the morning session for Committee #9:
Committee #9 – Structure and Administration
9-12 – To Amend Bylaws Exclusive to Lutheran Church Extension Fund to Clarify That It May Provide Real Estate Evaluation and Redevelopment Services in Support of Synod Mission and Ministry – Voice vote approval
9-14A – To Amend Constitution Article XII 15 as to Call of Special District Conventions
9-13A – To Adopt Recommendations of 2023 Resolution 9-06A Task Force on Electoral Circuit Parameters – Voice vote approval (with amendment as shared above)
9-15 – To Increase Congregation Participation in Election of Synod President – Substitute Resolution in place of Resolution 9-18 – To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2 to Elect the Synod President at Convention”
9-10A – To Revise the membership of the Pastoral Formation Committee – Voice vote approval
9-17A – To Respectfully Decline Overtures – Voice vote approval
Rev. Kirk Clayton presented an essay titled “Christ’s Resurrection for You.” There was a response to this essay provided by Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller. A change in the orders of day then brought Floor Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations back to the dais. The following resolution was adopted in the morning session for Committee #5:
Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations
5-04 – To Address Concerns with Partner Churches
Floor Committee #7 – University Education then took the dais. The following resolutions were adopted:
Committee #7 – University Education
7-01 – To Commend The Concordia University System – Voice vote approval
7-02A – To Amend Bylaw 3.10.6.2.2 – Voice vote approval
7-03A – To Amend Bylaw 3.6.6.1 – Voice vote approval
7-04 – To Clarify Prior Approval Protocols for University Theological Faculties – Voice vote approval
7-05 – To Clarify Prior Approval Protocols for University Presidential Candidates – Voice vote approval
7-06 – To Encourage University Worship Practices that Form Students to be Faithful to Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions
The delegates were ready for the lunch break. After returning, it was time for the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Workers who have gone home to be with the Lord since the prior convention were highlighted. It is a time of sadness and thankfulness as we remember with thanksgiving those who served the Lord and connected people to Jesus. I saw several church workers who were integral to my faith development and support in the ministry over the years. “The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest; Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!”
An additional round of elections took place after the video presentation. Floor Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations was then called back to the front to finish work begun during the morning session. The following resolution was adopted:
Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations
5-15A – To Call Upon the AALC to Honor the Bonds of Fellowship and Resolve Matters Threatening the Unity of Doctrine and Practice
Floor Committee #7 – University Education returned to the dais to continue with its work. The following resolutions were adopted in that session:
Committee #7 – University Education
7-07A – To Clarify Lutheran Identity in Connection with the Concordia Universities
7-08A – To Study Synodwide Corporate Status of Concordia University System
7-09A – To Give Thanks for Work and Ministry of Concordia University – Ann Arbor
Floor Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations was called to the front yet again to work through several remaining resolutions. There was some intense debate on Resolution 5-09A – To Address the Public Reading of Scripture in Public Worship. The question being considered was, “Is the reading of Scripture in public worship exclusively a function of the pastoral office?” At the Floor Committee hearing last Saturday, this question garnered impassioned debate, not just with, “Can the pastor alone read the Scripture?” but also especially with the question of, “Can women be allowed to read the Scripture in public worship?” Some of that spilled over to the floor debate this afternoon. Rather than give a yes or no answer to these questions, the modified resolution proposed that the Council of (District) Presidents and seminary faculties discuss this topic in detail and report their conclusions no less than six months prior to the next Synod convention in 2029. The following resolutions were adopted in the afternoon session for Committee #5:
Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations
5-05 – To Address Open Communion and Pastoral Exceptions in Extraordinary Circumstances
5-09A – To Address the Public Reading of Scripture in Public Worship
A special recognition was held for former officers of the Synod. Then, a presentation was shared on International Missions with the theme “Showing Mercy.” Following the presentation, Floor Committee #3 – Mercy was up. The following resolution was adopted in their afternoon session:
Committee #3 – Mercy
3-01A – To Commend and Encourage Life Ministry Efforts of Congregations, Schools, Districts, and Recognized Service Organizations
Floor Committee #10 – Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution was given some extra time to share their resolutions. The following resolution was adopted:
Committee #10 – Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution
10-07 – To Respectfully Decline Overtures – Voice vote approval
The next-to-last committee up for the day was Floor Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations. During the floor committee meetings last Saturday, Resolution 5-08A – To Reaffirm the Synod’s Positions on Men and Women in the Church, was (just like Resolution 5-09) a hotly contested topic. Some changes were made to the initial resolution that softened areas that raised frustration among those who presented on that Saturday. Only one speaker made it to the microphone concerning this resolution before the question was called and debate ceased. These resolutions were adopted:
Committee #5 – Theology and Church Relations
5-08A – To Reaffirm the Synod’s Positions On Men and Women in the Church
5-14 – To Respectfully Decline Overtures – Voice vote approval
One more resolution was then adopted for Committee #3:
Committee #3 – Mercy
3-02A – To Promote Awareness of Christian Adoption and Fostering Needs – Voice vote approval
The day’s sessions were concluded with Responsive Prayer.
We have one more morning to go, including all of 45 minutes for the remaining unfinished business. Any resolutions that are not dealt with prior to the end of the convention “die on the floor” and will not be acted on.
Please continue to pray for the convention itself and the delegates, that we would all be guided by the Holy Spirit in making decisions that are God-pleasing and that focus us on the mission of connecting people to Jesus.