LCMS CONVENTION FINAL REPORT
Before the convention five critical considerations were identified by Pastor Kieschnick who is now our outgoing President with Matt Harrison’s election.
DOCTRINAL AGREEMENT
It was clear at the convention that this is a subject of widespread debate in our church. Pastor Kieschnick has addressed this in This We Believe: Selected Topics of Faith and Practice in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We have widespread agreement in some areas, not so much in others. If you have questions about our doctrinal stance, this is a good place to start.
UNITY-CONCORD-HARMONY
A Task Force has been studying this situation and concluded that “disharmony in the LCMS is primarily a clergy problem.” This was quite clear at the convention.
LCMS mission
This mission is exemplified by Ablaze and Fan the Flame which were endorsed by the convention. Newly elected President Matt Harrison and his team will have lots to say about this.
GLOBAL confessional leadership
The LCMS is very active and in a leadership position on the conservative side of Lutheranism worldwide.
FINANCIAL REALITIES
This was an underlying theme of the convention and led to many of the re structuring actions.
CONVENTION ACTION SUMMARY
In summary, the eight floor committees brought dozens of resolutions to the floor that had come in from congregations, circuits, districts and Synod Boards. The overwhelming majority were adopted some with little debate some with extensive debate. You can find the final results on the Synod web site. www.lcms.org/convention
Some fundamental changes in the organization of the National Church Body were put into place. The impact on congregations will be felt as the District and Circuit structures change in the next several years.
Careful consideration was given to the support of Missions and outreach emphasis including some serious budget issues.
Synod services were reviewed and some priorities were discussed.
Relations with other church bodies were hotly debated and for now no big change regarding ELCA.
Administrative and finance issues were carefully reviewed in parallel with the restructuring proposals. It is planned that the changes will improve decision making, communications, financial controls and flexibility.
Educational programs and the Synod’s Colleges, Universities and Seminaries were discussed from many perspectives, including structure and programs.
Human Care received a lot of attention in part because of Matt Harrison and in part because of extensive activities in
Ecclesial Matters discussed many items re the Pastoral office some of which were not acted upon.
The Elections were noteworthy in many respects:
- The end of Jerry Kieschnick’s nine year run as President.
- A new younger President in Matt Harrison with a very conservative new slate of VPs.
- Regional focus on many positions, five geographical regions being set up.
- The new structure for the Synod-wide office which was implemented during the election. Two main boards: the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission really took center stage. These Boards will report to the Chief Mission Officer and take over many of the Synod Duties. (More to follow on that.)
- These two boards were elected in five geographical regions with lay and pastoral members elected.
- A highlight for us is that Pastor Tom Engler from St Marks Ridley Park and PLM was elected as the Pastoral Delegate for the Eastern Region to the Board for National Mission.
I would be happy to discuss the convention or answer any questions you may have.
You can reach me at Kraftassoc@aol.com
Joel McFadden
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The 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Daily Convention Report
Joel McFadden
Friday, July 9, 2010
Today was our last behind the scenes preparation day for the convention. Our Floor Committee #1 Missions conducted a closed meeting. We reviewed resolutions we have considered thus far, primarily at our sessions in St. Louis in May, and satisfied ourselves that they have been properly reported and included for the business of the convention.
All of the official plans, schedules and activities of the convention are carefully, and mostly accurately, reported on the web site, pre convention documents include:
The Final Report of The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance
Biographical Synopses & Statements of Nominees
Convention Workbook Reports and Overtures
Today’s Business (Proposed Resolutions) May 25
2007 Handbook
All of these documents including all proceedings should be readily available on the synod website.
After our meetings in St Louis we had received a late Memorial to Reach Generation X. We had an excellent discussion on the subject and we produced Resolution 1-10 to address this exciting field. We also made some changes to a few of our other resolutions for clarification.
All changes are reported in the next “Today’s Business”, more about that later.
I was able to sit in briefly on the Floor Committee 8 open hearings. This is the group considering the changes to Structure and Governance. They have a massive job and have performed admirably thus far.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Today our Floor Committee conducted open hearings on the resolutions before us.
This was an interesting day. At these meetings delegates can check in with all of the Floor Committees to make comments on the resolutions already presented and also ask for additional ones. The committees benefit from this feedback so that our resolutions fully represent the sense of the delegates.
Two examples: A chaplain addressed our group and talked about his job and how it involves both human care and missions on a daily basis. Also, that it has both National and World impact, this is a key issue because of some of the reorganizational proposals.
The second example is a member of the congregation who sent in the overture re Gen X presented his congregations perspective. This helped us get the language right in our Resolution 1-10.
Members of the Synod Mission Staff also spent some time with us, as they had in St Louis. The purpose of this preparation is that the agenda for the convention is very full. The Floor Committees are responsible to communicate quickly and well to the convention so that good decisions are made.
The Floor Committee then met in private session to fine tune our resolutions.
We had delegate orientation later where we learned about parliamentary procedures and were introduced to the electronic voting system. It is new and has had some glitches thus far.
Our worship service was spectacular. The mix of traditional and contemporary music selections was excellent. It was enhanced by the fact that there was a large choir comprised of many Houston area church members, a tender- voiced children’s chorus and a full orchestra. We were so inspired by all this accompaniment that we really sang with great enthusiasm. It seemed as this would be what it will be like when we worship the King of Kings in Heaven. President Kieschnick’s message on One People Forgiven was inspiring and set the tone for the convention.
We were treated to a Texas BBQ for our delegate dinner. Had the chance to re acquaint (Joanne Wendt Bradley who taught at CMLC preschool ’87-’89) and meet new folks.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The convention sessions open with music and prayer each day. There are also Bible Studies and Devotions throughout. I have always found these to be highlights of my convention experience.
Also, this year we are viewing a series of videos produced by the District President’s where they tell a (very) personal story about forgiveness. Out theme of ONE PEOPLE Forgiven is very much in evidence.
The mood at this morning’s sessions was very expectant. We had heard rumors leading up to the convention that an amendment to the convention agenda would be made; these were confirmed on Saturday night and came to fruition at our morning session.
Each day we receive an issue of Today’s Business. It lists the agenda items for the day, provides corrections to previously posted items, adds late overtures, resolutions and committee reports. This issue contained 79 pages and is delivered to our seat at the convention at 7:15 AM each morning about 45 minutes before we start the day.
It contained the amendment which moved to have the election of President on Sunday instead of later in the week. The Convention Managers had felt that the key discussions on Structure and Governance and some of the reorganizational votes should happen before the elections. Others disagreed, feeling that they wanted to know who would be President before deciding on structure.
This gave us a chance to put into use the rules, procedures and systems for open debate and voting. Each of these had some technical glitches but mostly worked.
There was a feeling that this vote would pre sage the election of President and the passing of the Structure proposals.
The debate was civil and lively including some parliamentary activities.
In the end the vote to change the agenda failed by about 30 (out of 1270) votes, so we continue on course but no one is sure what that vote really tells us.
The rest of the day was spent in reviewing the massive Synod Structure and Governance section which now has 5 Clusters with a total of 38 resolutions. We are in the midst of Q&A on these until the delegates are ready to start considering them one by one for debate, amendment and vote.
I feel honored to be here doing the Lord’s work.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Joel and Irene
Monday, July 12, 2010
We opened with excellent music (local musicians of every ethnicity) and a devotion by Rev. Quentin Poulson; later we had an excellent Bible study led by Rev. Ted Kober and a wonderful devotion by Rev. Terry Tieman.
During the day we heard reports on mission and church transformation.
Most of the day involved the consideration of Structure and Governance resolutions. Resolutions accepted:
* Realignment of the National Synod Ministries office around 2 mission boards.
* Develop a process for developing mission and ministry plans.
* Congregational election of the Synodical President.
* The election of the first Synodical Vice President.
* Set up of a structure for regional Vice Presidents.
The resolution to change to a 4 year cycle was narrowly defeated.
Most of the votes were close, often a 40 vote spread out of 1200. The debate was civil but heated. Two prominent perspectives are generally in place on most issues. The question is whether this matches with Tuesday’s presidential election.
Continue to keep us in your prayers,
Joel and Irene
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Our opening devotion was led by Rev. Dave Andrus, the blind pastor who has preached a number of times at CMLC. He shared with delightful humor and helped start the day on an upbeat note. Rev. Ted Kober’s Bible essay was excellent, using video to share Forgiveness in the Family. We slogged through some more structural issues in the morning and made some progress; still much to be done here though.
Much of the afternoon was consumed with the election of Matthew Harrison as Synod President (not as close as expected) and of the Synodical Vise Presidents.
The mood was pretty upbeat; the Jesus Firsters took it well and the conservatives were very happy. Lots of organizational dynamics at play:
* Age
* Liberals vs conservatives
* The establishment vs the party “out of power”
The day ended with Theology and Church Relations and other Floor Committes which will set the stage for lots of resolutions in the next several days.
Also, lots of elections still to come. Some of which are impacted by the structural changes.
My Missions Floor Committee gets busy starting Wednesday afternoon.
Still welcoming your prayers,
Joel and Irene
Wednesday, July 14
We had three insightful Bible studies today. Rev. Ted Kober took us into Responding to Conflict in the Church; Rev. Wayne Knolhoff talked about “The Mark of the Christian Steward is Love” and Rev. Johannes Mengsteab told us his moving story on immigrating with the help of unconditional love from an unlikely source.
We considered resolutions regarding:
* The re-development of circuits
* Dealing with supervision of pastors (DP Dave Benke preaching in Yankee Stadium post 911)
* Several other structural issues.
The elections were complicated by uncertainty in the process of nominations. A great deal of time was spent in developing the slate of officers.
Extensive procedural issues continue to highlight Synodical differences. More will come tomorrow.
Our Mission Floor Committee was able to get several positive resolutions (two were virtually unanimous). We have some controversial ones to come, probably Friday morning.
Tonight Irene and I attended a celebration of Matt Harrison’s election at a local church- Texas style BBQ. This is the church where Pastor Charles St. Onge, former PLM Mission Developer, is now serving.
Please continue to pray,
Joel and Irene
Thursday, July 15:
Just a note: Hundreds of prayer partners here at the convention have kept us in their hearts, minds and prayers and the delegates appreciate it. Thanks for your prayers back home as well.
Once again the Bible studies were a highlight of the day. Dr. Sang Ik Moon of Seoul,
Important resolutions included:
* The Lutheran Effort to Combat Malaria- passed
* Studying Congregation Size- not accepted
* Dealing with ELCA and their Church Assembly Action- no on theology, yes for now on externals such as Lutheran World Relief
* Reaching out to Emerging Confessional Churches- passed
A major event was the presentation of thanks from the
Nominations and elections took up much of the day. The convention elects officers for many Boards and Agencies as well as the Concordia network of universities and seminaries.
Following our theme of One People- Forgiven, random witnessing occurred to locals outside the convention center, a Muslim bus driver and several homeless men included
Thanking you for your continued prayers,
Joel and Irene
Friday, July 16
As the convention draws to a close there are some tired and worn-thin delegates. We saw a couple of aggressive exchanges which put a damper on the Spirit but by and large it has been a civil gathering.
We saw a very moving presentation on ministering to service personnel overseas. As usual the Bible studies were excellent: Ted Kober on “The Kiss of Peace,” which really zeroed in on the reconciliation process, Dr. Lev Sanchez on “Living by the Spirit” and Jotham Johann Jhang on “Service of Reconciliation.”
We had a wide variety of resolutions to consider today, including several through my missions floor committee that passed. Others were on Human Care, Administration and Finance as well as Synod Structure and Governance.
We are still a bit unsure on the implications of the Synod Structure debate. Decisions were made on the organization of the National Office but not on changing the Convention Cycle. The impact on the Circuit and District re-organizations is still unclear but some changes are expected. Other big issues like funding and relations with ELCA will give our new president, Matt Harrison, plenty to do.
Thanks for your prayers as we head into the final session tomorrow morning.
Joel and Irene