|
“Christ – His love is here for you!” is the one message the 2.5-million-member Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod must proclaim to the world, President Gerald B. Kieschnick told worshipers at the opening service of LCMS’ 63rd Regular Convention in Houston last month.
Emphasizing the theme of the July 14-19 event — “One Message – Christ! His Love is Here for You!” — Kieschnick told the 4,000 delegates and visitors this message must be shared with people who are suffering from natural disasters and personal crises. “We are blessed, we’re privileged, we’re challenged to ‘vigorously make known the love of Christ, by word and deed, within our churches, communities, and the world,’” he said. “The one message we have to proclaim is God’s love for the whole world, fulfilled in the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ,” he continued. “The power of the one message of Christ’s love is that this love — unlike what the world defines as love — is not self-focused or self-satisfying or self-gratifying. Christ’s love is self-sacrificing.” Processing into the main hall of the George R. Brown Convention Center were 150 current and former Synod missionaries, some wearing the native dress of the countries where they serve. Also processing were about 100 high school students, college students and others who participated in a two-day Convention Outreach Event, hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church-Houston. One of the first orders of convention business was Kieschnick’s election to his third three-year term as LCMS president. In the second election of the day, Dr. William Diekelman was elected to his second term as Synod first vice president. In remarks following his re-election, Kieschnick acknowledged the support of the Council of Presidents; other officers of the Synod; and his family, including wife Terry, who joined him briefly on the podium. He recognized Dr. Robert King, who served the Synod as a vice president for 21 years and decided not to stand for election this year. Dr. Paul L. Maier of Kalamazoo, MI, was re-elected as second vice president; Dr. John C. Wohlrabe Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA, was chosen as third vice president; Dr. Dean W. Nadasdy, of Woodbury, MN, fourth vice president; and Dr. David D. Buegler, of Avon, OH, fifth vice president. Nadasdy and Buegler currently serve as LCMS vice presidents. Delegates returned to office Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig as Secretary of the Synod and Thomas W. Kuchta as Vice President-Finance/Treasurer. |
Among significant Convention action was the approval of fellowship with the American Association of Lutheran Churches. The AALC includes 78 U.S. congregations. It is the 30th partner churchof the LCMS and the only one based in the United States.
The fellowship declaration recognizes agreement in doctrine and practice between the two church bodies and permits the members of each to commune at the other’s altars and for their pastors to exchange pulpits. The AALC declared fellowship with the LCMS during its June convention. “This is truly a joyful and an awesome thing — that the unity we have in Christ has now been so expressed because of mutually recognized concord in faith and life,” said Rev. Thomas Aadland, AALC presiding pastor. The AALC was established in 1987 by pastors and congregations concerned about doctrinal positions of the church bodies involved in the merger negotiations of the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America, which became the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988. The AALC has 107 active pastors and 14,137 baptized members. Convention coverage continues here. 
LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick watches AALC Presiding Pastor Thomas Aadland signing the protocol document establishing altar and pulpit fellowship between the two church bodies. LCMS Secretary Ray Hartwig (at left) looks on. |
