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George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) Houston, Texas July 10-17, 2010

LCMS Convention 2010 Pre-Convention Orientation Slides Produced by The Office of the President The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (May be reproduced in whole or in part). 64th Regular Convention The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) Houston, Texas

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George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) Houston, Texas July 10-17, 2010

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  1. LCMS Convention 2010Pre-Convention Orientation SlidesProduced by The Office of the President The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod(May be reproduced in whole or in part)

  2. 64th Regular Convention The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) Houston, Texas July 10-17, 2010

  3. Convention Theme Verse: “Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

  4. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod What is a Synod?

  5. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod • A group of faithful Lutheran Christians empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament working, walking and worshiping together • Essentially, a voluntary association of congregations and ministers of religion (ordained and commissioned) • United by a common confession of faith grounded in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions • Focused primarily on missions, Christian education and human care

  6. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod • 2.34 Million Baptized members • 1.80 Million Confirmed members • 6,170 Congregations • 24,000 Professional Church Workers • 18,000 Teachers (6,000 Commissioned) • 6,000 Pastors

  7. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod • 35 Districts • 60 Separate Corporations • 2700 Elementary Schools (Pre-K -> 8th Grade) • 100 High Schools • 10 Colleges and Universities • 2 Seminaries

  8. Districts of the Synod

  9. Reasons for the Forming of a Synodical Union 1. The example of the apostolic church. Acts 15:131 2. Our Lord's will that the diversities of gifts should be for the common profit. 1 Corinthians 12:431

  10. The Synod’s Confessional Basis The Synod, and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation: 1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice 2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God

  11. The Lutheran Confessions • Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian Creeds • Unaltered Augsburg Confession • Apology of Augsburg Confession • Smalcald Articles • Treatise on Power and Primacy of Pope • Luther’s Large Catechism • Luther’s Small Catechism • Formula of Concord

  12. Summary of The Objectives of the LCMS 1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith; work toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies; provide united defense against schism, sectarianism, and heresy . . . 2. Strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold witness to the love and work of the true God and extend that Gospel witness into all the world . . . 3. Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for continuing growth . . .

  13. Summary of The Objectives of the LCMS 4. Express Christian concern, love, compassion . . . 5. Aid congregations in Christian education and establish agencies of Christian education . . . 6. Aid congregations in recognizing, promoting, expressing, conserving, and defending their confessional unity in the true faith . . . 7. Encourage congregations to strive for uniformity in church practice and develop appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs in harmony with our profession of faith. . .

  14. Summary of The Objectives of the LCMS 8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel and care for professional church workers of the Synod in the performance of their official duties . . . 9. Provide protection for congregations and professional church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights. . . 10. Aid in providing for the welfare of professional church workers and their families in the event of illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death.

  15. The Mission of the LCMS In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of the LCMS is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world!

  16. Purposes of this Pre-ConventionDelegate Orientation General Orientation Items of Importance Purposes of Convention Duties of a Delegate Major Convention Matters

  17. General Orientation • Welcome to Houston! • Godspeed as you travel! • A unique experience awaits you! • Registration materials at GRB, Second Floor • National Offering, “ONE People—Sharing Christ’s Love,” will be collected at the opening worship service

  18. Pre-convention • Prayer Opportunities • Prayer lists on the Web site • 24/7 Prayer Vigil week of convention, sign-up on convention Web site beginning in May • Devotions • “Forgiven to Forgive” devotion book • “This We Believe: Selected Topics …” • Distributed to voting and advisory delegates

  19. Purposes of National Convention • Opportunities for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, communication of vital information • Principal legislative assembly, amends Constitution and Bylaws • Considers and takes action on reports and overtures • Elects national officers and members of boards and commissions

  20. Purposes of National Convention • Establishes general Synod positions and policies • Provides and evaluates overall programs, policies, directions, priorities • Provides responsible service for and on behalf of its members • Handles appropriate appeals

  21. Purposes of National Convention • “Only a national convention of the Synod shall authorize affiliation or association of the Synod with other church bodies, synods, or federations, and the discontinuance of such affiliation or association.” (LCMS Bylaw 3.1.1)

  22. Duties of a Delegate Bylaw 3.1.2.2 Responsibilities of Delegates • Congregations shall not require their delegates to vote in accordance with specific instructions... • Every delegate shall be permitted to vote according to his or her own conviction... • Delegates are nevertheless responsible to the circuits they represent...

  23. Duties of a Delegate • They shall attempt to discover the sentiment of the members of their circuit… • They shall be faithful in attendance at all sessions of the convention... • After each convention they shall report the actions of the Synod to their circuits... • Voting delegates shall serve a three-year term beginning with the convention...

  24. Duties of a Delegate • They shall function as advisory members of the circuit forum... • They shall serve as resource persons in the circuit... • They shall assist in the dissemination and implementation of Synod resolutions in their area.

  25. Special First Day EventsSaturday, July 10 • Floor Committee Open Hearings, 9 am–12 noon • Committees 1-7 – Hilton Hotel • Committee 8 – GRB General Assembly Theater • Also, Floor Committee 8 on Friday, 1:30-5:50 pm • Delegate Orientation, GRB, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (All delegates should attend this session) • Opening Convention Worship Celebration with Holy Communion, GRB, 4:00 p.m. • All-Delegate Dinner, Hilton, 6:30 p.m.

  26. Special Notes about Convention Agenda • As previously communicated, following those actions that must be conducted in order for the convention to convene and that are in accord with bylaw requirements, such as credentials report, adoption of standing rules, agenda, and President’s report, the first two days of the convention will be dedicated to matters regarding Synod structure and governance. • On Sunday, following the prayer service and necessary business, Floor Committee 8 will present structure and governance proposals to include floor discussion, primarily Q&A for the purpose of clarification. No action will be taken on resolutions unless discussion is completed and/or delegates decide to begin action.

  27. Special Notes about Convention Agenda • On Monday morning, convention delegates will be asked if they are ready to act on structure and governance resolutions. If so, then resolutions will be considered. If not, then discussion/Q&A will continue with the President asking delegates at regular intervals if they are ready to act. • On Tuesday morning, if not already completed, action will be taken on structure and governance resolutions that impact the election of officers and national structure. Election of officers will begin Tuesday afternoon.

  28. Convention Agenda • Tentative schedule for convention will be finalized after floor committee weekend • Printed in the first issue of Today’s Business • Posted on the convention Web site • A gavel–to-gavel Web cast of the convention proceedings will be broadcast on the Synod Web site

  29. About the Convention: Use of Electronic Devices* * Subject to adoption in convention Standing Rules. Note: No extension cords allowed or electrical connections provided.

  30. Convention Business ElectionsIn Order of Election • Election of Officers • President • First Vice-President • Vice-Presidents Two, Three, Four, Five • Secretary • Vice-President-Finance—Treasurer, unless otherwise determined by convention action • Board of Directors • Election of other Boards and Commissions

  31. Convention Business Principal Business of Convention • The principal business of a convention of the Synod shall be the consideration of reports and overtures (ref. Bylaw 3.1.6) • All reports and overtures accepted by the President in accordance with the bylaws of the Synod shall be referred by him to convention committees (ref. Bylaw 3.1.7)

  32. Convention Business Convention Floor Committees #1 Missions #2 District and Congregational Services #3 Theology and Church Relations #4 Administration and Finance #5 Seminary and University Education #6 Human Care #7 Ecclesial Matters #8 Synod Structure and Governance #9 Registration, Credentials and Elections #10 Nominations

  33. Convention Business Convention Resolution Process:An Overture Summary • Submission of Overtures by Congregations, Conventions, Conferences, Boards, etc. • Review of Overtures by Synod President and Legal Counsel (Bylaw 3.1.6.2.c) for: • Material error • Apparent misrepresentation of truth or character • Potential civil action for libel or slander • Review of Overtures by Floor Committees • Floor Committee Action: • Submission of Overture to Convention via Resolution • Inclusion of Overture in Omnibus Resolution • Declination of Overture

  34. Committee Considerations Floor Committee Considerations: A Summary of Matters Submitted • The following slides provide a summary of some of the matters submitted in the reports and overtures for floor committee consideration. This overview highlights the theme and scope of some of the key issues to be considered by each floor committee for convention resolutions. To view all submitted items, read the Convention Workbook.

  35. Committee Considerations MissionsFloor Committee # 1 • Completion of “Fan Into Flame” • Outreach to Immigrants and Islam • Participation in Operation Barnabas • Church Transformation

  36. Committee Considerations District & Congregational ServicesFloor Committee # 2 • Study Congregational Size, Generations, and Life-stage Ministries • Encourage Responsible Worship • Continuation of Children’s, Family, Youth, School, and Stewardship Ministries

  37. Committee Considerations Theology and Church RelationsFloor Committee # 3 • Response to ELCA Assembly Actions • Church Relations in the 21st Century • CTCR Documents on Environment and Man-Woman Relationships • Variety of Other Theological Matters

  38. Committee Considerations Administration and FinanceFloor Committee # 4 • Seminary Financial Support • Various Structure and Bylaw Considerations • Election Process

  39. Committee Considerations Seminary and University EducationFloor Committee # 5 • Licensed Lay Deacons • Church Worker Recruitment, Participation, and Retention • Various Bylaw Amendments re University Education

  40. Committee Considerations Human CareFloor Committee # 6 • Lutheran Malaria Initiative • End Human Trafficking/Slavery • Resources re Gender Identity Issues

  41. Committee Considerations Ecclesial MattersFloor Committee # 7 • Expectations of Synod Membership • Placement of Candidate Status Church Workers • Hearing Panel Task Force Report • CCM Matters

  42. Committee Considerations Synod Structure and GovernanceFloor Committee # 8 • BRTFSSG Recommendations and Related Handbook Amendments

  43. Five Critical Considerations • Doctrinal Agreement • Unity – Concord – Harmony • LCMS Mission • Global Confessional Leadership • Financial Realities

  44. Convention Spirit • Hopefully not: • “The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” (Acts 19:32)

  45. Convention Spirit • But prayerfully: • “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)

  46. www.lcms.org/convention

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