Delegates Chart LCMS Focus with Passage of Range of Resolutions

Delegates to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s 63rd Regular Convention acted on 76 of 99 resolutions prepared by floor committees, passing 75 and failing just one.      Summarized below are some of those resolutions. ‘Revitalization’ of Congregations      Delegates adopted a resolution calling for the “revitalization” of at least 2,000 existing congregations by 2017 in an effort to make them more outreach-focused. Revitalized congregations were defined as “regularly and consistently making new disciples and renewing their members in order that they make new disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Synod has 6,100 congregations with 2.5 million members. Like many mainline church bodies, it has seen membership decline during the past two decades.      Mission revitalization of LCMS congregations with static or declining memberships is among the North American goals of Ablaze! Harmony Plan      Emphasizing that internal division diverts energies from mission, delegates called on elected leaders to develop a strategy for harmony.      In a resolution adopted early during convention proceedings, the delegates resolved that the Council of Presidents — comprised of the 35 district presidents, the Synod president and five vice presidents — and the Board of Directors address division and mistrust within the church body.      The resolution calls on them to gather “a representative group of respected leaders throughout this church” to shape a strategy.      “Personal opinions and differences regarding practical application of clearly stated doctrine have made for continued discord,” the resolution said. “Such discord has and is hindering the mission and is disheartening to God’s people to the point of withholding their support for ‘the common good,’” it continued.      The resolution cited the report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Funding the Mission, released last year. That report observed that any model for funding the Synod’s mission will not succeed in an organization that is divided and engaged in diversionary issues. Outreach and Church-worker Training      A resolution to “encourage and direct” Synod universities and seminaries to make “outreach to the lost” a top priority in their training of professional church workers was adopted.      The adopted resolution was deemed a “substitute resolution” by convention chairman Gerald B. Kieschnick because it changed the substance of the original resolution, which asked the schools to make outreach the top priority. The substitute resolution was approved by a vote of 706 to 419.      Those speaking against the original resolution expressed concerns about whether outreach should be the only top priority in church-worker education. One delegate said he was concerned that other valuable aspects of ministry — such as preaching the Gospel to Christians who need to hear it — would become lower priorities for church workers.      Floor Committee on Missions Chairman Robert Newton, who introduced the original resolution and urged its adoption, said, “Our Lord Jesus Christ was explicitly clear with His top priority: to seek and save the lost.” Anything short of that, Newton said, “would blunt His own personal mandate.”      Newton had urged delegates to consider outreach to the lost “as seriously … as our Savior has.”      (Editor’s note: President Michael talks about this resolution and the implications of its amended structure in his column on Page 2 of this issue.) Close(d) Communion Practice      LCMS congregations that allow open communion were encouraged to return to “faithful communion practices by practicing close(d) communion” in a resolution passed by a 986-177 margin.      The practice of close(d) communion in the Missouri Synod historically has meant only persons who have been instructed in the teachings of the church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings are to receive communion in LCMS congregations.      The resolution also asks that the Committee for Theology and Church Relations, along with the seminaries and Council of Presidents, provide “practical guidance for responsible pastoral care in the administration of the Sacrament of the Altar.”      CTCR Floor Committee Chairman, Florida-Georgia District President Gerhard Michael, said this resolution and others proposed to the convention reflect “the committee’s desire to help our Synod develop consensus on our basic positions through study and guidance.” Specific Ministry Pastors      Delegates approved the establishment of a new seminary track for preparing men as quickly as possible to be called and ordained in order to meet the “urgent mission needs” of the church.      The Specific Ministry Pastor Program uses distance education, pastor mentoring and some on-campus seminary instruction “before and after ordination” to train pastors for specific ministries, such as church planter or evangelist. Although they will train at their own pace, students in the program could qualify for ordination “and serve as specific ministry pastors” in less than two years.      Once ordained, the specific ministry pastor would be allowed to preach and administer the sacraments, with supervision, within his specific-ministry situation. But he also would be required to complete the entire four- to five-year program to retain his certification.      Students in the Synod’s traditional seminary program for general ministry pastors typically complete four years of college, plus three years of on-campus seminary instruction and a one-year vicarage. Concordia Seminary-St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne offer a non-traditional pastoral-training route called Distance Education Leading To Ordination, or DELTO.      The new Specific Ministry Pastor Program replaces DELTO, while offering students an opportunity to continue their studies in the seminaries’ Master of Divinity programs, which DELTO does not. Specific ministry pastors will not be required to continue in the M.Div. program, but will be encouraged to consider doing so, when feasible.      The new program will be offered by both seminaries, most likely beginning next year. Students can continue serving their home ministries while they study. Lay Deacon Program      Study “of the situations currently served by licensed lay deacons to determine whether there continues to be a genuine need” was requested via an adopted resolution. The study will be conducted by the Synod’s Board for Pastoral Education and Council of Presidents, with a report on their findings to be made to the 2010 LCMS convention.      The adopted resolution notes that the licensed lay deacon program, established by the 1989 convention, authorized lay men to serve Word and sacrament ministries “in certain circumstances … and was never intended to serve as an alternate route into the pastoral office.” It acknowledges that a need “may still be present in those relatively rare and unusual situations where no ordained pastor is available.”      Two substitute motions were proposed, but declined by delegates. One would have required licensed lay deacons to enter the Specific Ministry Pastor Program within two years or forfeit their certification. The other, proposed by a long-time missionary to Africa, called the need for licensed lay deacons “crucial and necessary,” rather than “rare and unusual,” because of their value on the mission field. Conflict Resolution      Delegates adopted carefully worded amendments to the Synod’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws aimed at facilitating resolution of conflicts of authority between the Synod’s Board of Directors and the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM).

Following a 90-minute plenary discussion, delegates voted 905-292 to adopt the amendments presented by the Floor Committee for Synod Structure and Governance. Dr. Lane R. Seitz, president of the Minnesota South District and committee chair, explained that in recent years questions of authority arose between the Synod’s Board of Directors and the CCM, which led to the proposal adopted by the convention.      A key point of the proposal was the establishment of a process to resolve disagreements between the Board and CCM, Seitz said. He told the delegates that legal counsel reviewed the proposal and the Resolution 7-02A Committee report had received “widespread support since it was made public.”      Another purpose of the Bylaw proposals was to “avoid litigation,” clarify the law where it was not necessarily clear, and get the parties to discuss and resolve their differences. Contemporary Worship Resources      An adopted resolution charges the LCMS Commission on Worship to provide guidance and direction for the use of diverse/contemporary worship resources.      The resolution points out the need for contemporary worship songs that reflect Lutheran theological and liturgical emphases and that LCMS musicians and others are composing such songs but that there is no means of gathering, reviewing and disseminating such resources. Hispanic Ministries      Convention action created the position of Director for Strategic Development of Hispanic Ministries who will be appointed by the Synod president, working with the LCMS Board for Mission Services and the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Hispanic Ministry and in consultation with the National Hispanic Lutheran Convention.      The resolution notes that calling and placing this director was the top recommendation from the LCMS National Hispanic Summit in January as it sought ways to invigorate and give focus and direction to Synod efforts in Hispanic ministry and outreach. The resolution notes that the “most appropriate” organizational location for this position in the area of domestic cross-cultural ministry will be determined by the Synod’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synodical Structure and Governance.      Delegates also adopted a resolution to encourage funding for the Center for Hispanic Studies, a program for preparing Hispanic church workers. It is housed and funded by Concordia Seminary-St. Louis. Stem-cell Research      In an overwhelmingly favorable vote, delegates adopted a resolution supporting adult stem-cell research that does not involve the destruction of human life.      Noting that stem cells have potential to treat diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle-cell anemia, stroke and Parkinson’s disease, the resolution states opposition to embryonic stem-cell research that destroys human life and has not yet shown success for treatment of diseases in humans.      It further urges LCMS members to give public witness against the destruction of human life with embryonic stem-cell research and to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Stewardship Renewal      Delegates encouraged stewardship renewal, especially through enhanced communication, with adoption of a resolution that follows the report issued last year by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Funding the Mission.      Requested by the LCMS’ 2004 Convention, the task force recommended ways for the Synod to improve funding for the “common good” of members. That funding — largely generated from Sunday morning offerings — has declined while direct giving has grown in support of special ministries.      Among the task force recommendations was renewed emphasis on stewardship education and stewardship practices. The adopted resolution requested that “every individual, congregation, district and the Synod itself continue to strive to respond to God’s marvelous goodness and grace through its stewardship life”; that the First Vice President of the Synod coordinate the development of resources, training, and strategic components for stewardship renewal; and that recommendations for enhanced communication be considered.      The only considered resolution that failed to pass also dealt with stewardship. Delegates balked at passing a resolution that, in broad language, encouraged increased participation in Concordia Plan Services, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, and the LCMS Foundation. Defeated by a 521 to 654 vote, the resolution encouraged governing boards and committees to review their “responsibilities and opportunities” toward the entities and “demonstrate their working together for the ‘common good.’” Worker Sabbaticals      Delegates encouraged congregations to offer sabbaticals for their workers and listed sources for developing sabbatical guidelines.      “Sabbatical is a time to receive, to be nurtured, and to reflect on one’s relationship with God so that one may be renewed, refreshed, and revitalized for a life of service to others,” the resolution said. Military Ministry      Another adopted resolution encouraged ministry to armed forces personnel and their families “The stress of deployments in a war zone is tremendous, not only on the service member but also their families,” noted the resolution to encourage ministry to armed forces personnel and their families. It encourages all districts to develop intentional and specific ministry plans for meeting the needs of service members and requested the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces to identify guidelines for districts. Outreach to Abuse Victims      Delegates passed a resolution stating that the Synod, through its Board for Human Care Ministries, provide trained individuals and materials on domestic violence, child abuse and clergy sexual misconduct to help districts, congregations and schools address abuse and minister to the spiritual needs of those struggling with the effects of abuse.      It also directs the Synod to make these materials and training available to seminary students and professional church workers. Return to Houston      The Synod will return to Houston for its 2010 convention. The adopted resolution confirming this location cited the complimentary convention center rental, complimentary transportation and favorable hotel rates. Texas District President Kenneth Hennings submitted an invitation to hold the 2010 convention in Houston.      Delegates said they “stand ready to serve” if President Gerald B. Kieschnick and two-thirds of the 35 district presidents determine that a special convention should be called to amend Synod structure and governance. The adopted resolution, which passed by a vote of 793-325, directs the Synod President to discuss the subject with the Council of Presidents within 90 days, after consulting with the two seminary presidents, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, the Board of Directors, the vice president-finance/treasurer, other officers of the Synod and the Commission on Constitutional Matters. The adoption of the substitute resolution followed considerable discussion during this convention about calling a special convention.      Before the vote, Kieschnick said he and others believed that it would be better for this convention’s delegates to deal with structure and governance versus a new group of delegates in 2010. “The chair [Kieschnick] believes a sense of trust has been established during this assembly,” he told the delegates.      The delegates immediately agreed that a two-thirds vote should be required to adopt the substitute resolution. Following the voting, Kieschnick expressed his “deep appreciation” for the “charitable manner” in which the delegates addressed the topic.      A comprehensive review of all resolutions is available on the LCMS web site: www.lcms.org.

Representing the Florida-Georgia District at the LCMS convention were (front, l-r) Doug Fountain, Linda Stoeckel, Esther Barg, President Gerhard Michael Jr., Joan Michael, Ed Wright, Phil Larsen, Jim Guelzow, (second row, l-r) Helen Roenfeldt, Liz Pfeffer, Jim Ingersoll, David Hinman, Rebecca Marshall, Frank Marshall, Alan Sielk, Joe Kociuba, Mike Parnow, Roy Allen, Tim Hartner, (third row, l-r) Gary Held, Craig Howell, Jonathan Horsman, Keith Haldeman, John List, Pat Heffernan, Tim Scott, Dave Wesche, Sam Clay (fourth row, l-r) Bill Reister, Richard Norris, Eric Eichinger, Bob Steinke, Dan Schepmann, Russell Moe, Wayne Wilke and Derek Bohlmann. Not pictured are William Arndt, Fred Bennett, Donald Borwick, J.R. Jones, Howard Kittelberger, John Koczman, Bud Koehlinger, David Lord, Philip Miller, Arthur Niermeier, Richard Pieplow, Ray Roths, Edward Scott, Gerald Seaman, Lowell Vaughn, Jon Zehnder and Paul Zimmermann.