ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT OVERTURES

Transcription

1 ST CONVENTION ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD SECTION V OVERTURES FLOOR COMMITTEES Floor Committee Witness Floor Committee Life Together Floor Committee Elections SECTION V PAGE

2 Overture to Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching Concerning the Age of the Earth Denver Southwest Circuit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which is God s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps. :0; John :; Tim. :; Pet. :); and Christ s words presuppose the inspiration and veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. :; :-; Mark :; Luke :; :; John :; etc.); and the first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world was made from nothing in six days; and there is no reason to believe from the context or some subtlety of meaning that day refers to a span of time longer than hours (see Joel Heck, In the Beginning, God (St. Louis: CPH, 0), -); and Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures clear teaching that death came as result of Adam s sin (Rom. :; Cor. :); and St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought captive to Christ ( Cor. 0:); and the LC-MS adheres to and upholds these scriptural and confessional teachings concerning the age of the earth (FS SD Binding Summary, ); therefore be it that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the Scriptural doctrine of creation from nothing in six days; And also let it be that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions or billions of years, so as to reject the erroneous doctrine of Darwinism and all related positions. SECTION V PAGE

3 Overture to Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching Concerning the Age of the Earth Denver Northwest Circuit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which is God s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps. :0; John :; Tim. :; Pet. :; FC-SD Binding Summary, ); and Christ s words presuppose the inspiration and veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt.:; :-; Mark :; Luke:;:; John :; etc.); and the first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world was made from nothing in six days; and There is no reason to believe from the context or some subtlety of meaning that day refers to a span of time longer than hours (see Joel Heck, in the Beginning, God (St. Louis; CPH, 0), ); and Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures clear teaching that death came as result of Adam s sin (Rom. :; Cor.:); and St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought captive to Christ ( Cor. 0:); There be it that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the Scriptural doctrine of Creation from nothing in six day in conformity with the natural reading of Genesis. And also let it be that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions or billions of years, so as to reject the erroneous doctrine of Darwinism and all related positions. SECTION V PAGE

4 Overture to Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching Concerning the Age of the Earth Rocky Flats Circuit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which is God s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps. :0; John :; Tim. :; Pet. :); and Christ s words presuppose the inspiration and veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. :; :-; Mark :; Luke :; :; John :; etc.); and the first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world was made from nothing in six days; and there is no reason to believe from the context or some subtlety of meaning that day refers to a span of time longer than hours (see Joel Heck, In the Beginning, God (St. Louis: CPH, 0), -); and Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures clear teaching that death came as result of Adam s sin (Rom. :; Cor. :); and St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought captive to Christ ( Cor. 0:); and the LC-MS adheres to and upholds these scriptural and confessional teachings concerning the age of the earth (FS SD Binding Summary, ); therefore be it that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffrm the Scriptural doctrine of creation from nothing in six days; And also let it be that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions or billions of years, so as to reject the erroneous doctrine of Darwinism and all related positions. SECTION V PAGE

5 To Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching Concerning the Age of the Earth Denver Northeast Circuit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which is God s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps. :0; John :; Tim. :; Pet. :; FC-SD Binding Summary, ); and Christ s words presuppose the inspiration and veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. :; :-; Mark :; Luke :; :; John :; etc.); and the first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world was made from nothing in six days; and there is no reason to believe from the context or some subtlety of meaning that day refers to a span of time longer than hours; and Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures clear teaching that death came as result of Adam s sin (Rom. :; Cor. :); and St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought captive to Christ ( Cor. 0:); therefore be it that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the Scriptural doctrine of creation from nothing in six ordinary hour days in conformity with the natural and literal reading of Genesis; and be it finally that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions or billions of years, so as to reject the erroneous doctrine of Darwinism and all related positions. SECTION V PAGE

6 To Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching Concerning the Age of the Earth Denver Southeast Circuit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which are God s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps. :0; John :; Tim. :; Pet. :; FC-SD Binding Summary, ); and Christ s words presuppose the inspiration and veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. :; :-; Mark :; Luke :; :; John :; etc.); and the first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world was made in six days; and there is no reason to believe from the context or some subtlety of meaning that day refers to a span of time longer than hours (see Joel Heck, In the Beginning, God (St. Louis: CPH, 0), -); and evolution posits millions of years of death as a necessary mechanism for biological progress which conflicts with the Scriptures clear teaching that death came as result of Adam s sin (Rom. :; Cor. :); and St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought captive to Christ ( Cor. 0:); therefore be it that the LCMS in convention reaffirm the Scriptural doctrine of creation from nothing in six days in conformity with the natural reading of Genesis; and be it finally that the LCMS in convention reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions of years, so as to combat the pernicious, heathen doctrine of Darwinism. SECTION V PAGE

7 To Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching Concerning the Age of the Earth Pecos Circuit the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which is God s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps. :0; John :; Tim. :; Pet. :; FC-SD Binding Summary, ); and Christ s words presuppose the inspiration and veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. :; :-; Mark :; Luke :; :; John :; etc.); and the first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world was made from nothing in six days; and there is no reason to believe from the context or some subtlety of meaning that day refers to a span of time longer than hours (see Joel Heck, In the Beginning, God (St. Louis: CPH, 0), -); and Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures clear teaching that death came as result of Adam s sin (Rom. :; Cor. :); and St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought captive to Christ ( Cor. 0:); therefore be it that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the Scriptural doctrine of creation from nothing in six days in conformity with the natural reading of Genesis; and be it finally that the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LC-MS in convention to reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions or billions of years, so as to reject the erroneous doctrine of Darwinism and all related positions. SECTION V PAGE

8 To Preserve the Authority and Clarity of the New Testament Scriptures The object of all textual criticism is to recover as far as possible the actual words written by the author. Kirsopp Lake, Text of the New Testament [London ]; and The standard critical edition of the Greek New Testament is Novum Testamentum Graece, often called Nestle-Aland, abbreviated NA followed by the number of the relevant edition; and D. C. Parker correctly writes of Novum Testamentum Graece () = NA, This text was agreed by a committee. When they disagreed on the best reading to print, they voted. (Living Text of the Gospels [Oxford, ]); and Decisions in Nestle-Aland have sometimes been based on historical-critical dogma, not textual criticism, e.g., in the majority of the committee favored punctuating Romans : to replace Paul s assertion that the Messiah is God with a doxology (as RSV ad loc.) because nowhere else in his genuine epistles does Paul ever designate ho Christos as theos. B. M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek NT (London, ) ; and Future editions of Nestle-Aland will be edited with a new editorial committee, a new methodology, a modified apparatus and a different goal, replacing the original text reflecting the autographs with an Ausgangstext that seeks to reconstruct the common source of surviving manuscripts; therefore be it That a New Testament text created by a committee with a new methodology and a different goal that no longer seeks "to recover as far as possible the actual words written by the author" prima facie undermines the Lutheran understanding of claritas Scripturae, the clarity of Scripture, defended by Luther in Bondage of the Will against Erasmus skepticism; and be it further That the President of the Synod appoint an editorial board to plan a new critical edition of the Greek New Testament to be published by Concordia Publishing House; and be it further That the goal of the new edition be the recovery as far as possible of the actual words written by the NT authors and inspired by the Holy Ghost and the methodology be the traditional textual criticism found in New Testament and Classical Studies since the Reformation; and be it further That all members of the editorial board formally pledge commitment to the doctrines of the clarity and inerrancy of Scripture; and be it further That the editorial board include among its members New Testament and Classical scholars who have published editorial work on ancient texts; and be it finally That the editorial board report to the next LCMS Convention on the progress of its work, preferably with a draft of the new edition with textual commentary. Rocky Flats Circuit SECTION V PAGE

9 To Encourage Prayer For And Greater Support Of Campus Ministry Within The Rocky Mountain District Rocky Flats Circuit college and university life today presents many grave spiritual challenges and pit falls to the members of our congregations who are seeking a university education; and the distance between a college student s educational residence and their home congregation may be substantial, limiting or even negating the possibility of regular worship attendance and spiritual care from their pastor; and continued spiritual care and nurture, within the context of an orthodox, evangelical congregational ministry of Word and Sacrament is essential for retention and growth in the life of repentance and faith which connects us with Christ and our Heavenly Father [by the Holy Spirit s presence and power]; therefore be it that we intensify our prayer for our congregational members, who are our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are attending college; and be it further that we encourage all pastors and congregations to be more attentive to and cooperative with the efforts of Synodical and District officials, and LC-MS campus pastors, to gather and relay names and contact information for our members who are attending college; and be it further that our congregations in all possible ways support the ministry of called campus pastors and the students they minister to within our District, do all that we can to nurture personal relationships with these students, supporting these ministries with our offerings and volunteer service, our love and compassion; and be it further that congregations in the vicinity of campuses which do not have a called campus pastor determine to work together to provide the necessary spiritual care and nurture to college students in their area, to welcome and encourage these students to active attendance in worship and other congregational activities, and to do everything possible to nurture personal relationships with these students, supporting these efforts with offerings and volunteer service, our love and compassion; and be it finally that we continue to pray God to give us growth in our support for and nurture of ministry to college students in our District. SECTION V PAGE

10 To Give Thanks to God and Encourage Support for San Pablo Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission, Human Care Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas Whereas our risen Lord Jesus Christ told his disciples, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, (Matthew :- 0), and he further said, you will be witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, (Acts :b), and the Rocky Mountain District of the LCMS, formerly known as the Colorado District, has always taken these words of Jesus to heart and acted upon them, and in obedience to our Lord s Great Commission, the RMD looked to the fields white unto harvest in El Paso, Texas, Juarez, Mexico and other borderland communities, and determined to bring the Gospel to the Spanish speaking people in these areas through Word and Sacrament ministry, Christian education and a variety of human care efforts in the name of Jesus Christ including food, medical care, clothing, housing, school scholarships, and many other things needed by the poor, and through the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the RMD, in order better to carry out the above work did in purchase in the Zaragoza neighborhood of El Paso. acres of land on which there are buildings, some nearly 00 years old, to conduct worship and Bible classes, provide human care services, administer the work done, and house volunteers and staff, and, these buildings and grounds are owned by the Rocky Mountain District and require constant care, maintenance and improvement, and San Pablo Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care have been faithful and good stewards of this valuable and essential property but have little in the way of financial resources to maintain its proper upkeep, and there are so many pressing needs in the RMD that the district and its congregations must prayerfully consider how best to use the resources with which God has blessed them, and the RMD has frequently affirmed the importance of ministry to Hispanic people and sincerely desires such ministry to continue and grow, and the RMD gratefully acknowledges the years of steadfast and sacrificial outreach in the name of Jesus conducted by the Pastors, staff, volunteers and literally hundreds of short-term missionaries that have served and continue to serve at San Pablo Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, therefore be it SECTION V PAGE 0

11 0 0 Resolved Resolved Resolved Rio Grande Circuit that the RMD meeting in convention, give thanks to God for the ongoing faithful work of San Pablo Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, and be it further that the Board of Directors and the Congregations of the District, pray regularly for the success of the outreach of San Pablo Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, and be it finally that the RMD Board of Directors, the Congregations of the District and their individual members, as well as its Pastors and professional Church Workers, prayerfully consider how they can offer greater support in terms of time, talent and treasure to the ongoing work San Pablo Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission. SECTION V PAGE

12 To Celebrate and Give Thanks to God for the th Anniversary of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska Resolved Resolved Since its founding on November,, the Lord of the Church has blessed Concordia University, Nebraska by empowering it to serve The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as an educational institution equipping students to learn, serve and lead in the Church and world; and The Lord of the Church led the founders of the University to provide the funds and land to locate the institution in Seward, Nebraska so that the institution would be a blessing to the local community, the Nebraska and surrounding Districts and the entire LCMS; and The Lord of the Church has blessed Concordia University, Nebraska to be the leading preparer of fulltime workers in the ministries of the LCMS, as today it places more graduates into the commissioned teaching and Director of Christian Education ministries of the church than any other institution of the Concordia University System; and The Lord of the Church has blessed Concordia University, Nebraska to equip men for the pastoral ministry through its pre-seminary and other academic programs so that, historically, each year between and are involved in academic and spiritual preparation to study at an LCMS seminary with the result that seven () percent of those serving as pastors in the LCMS today are alumni of Concordia University, Nebraska; and The God of all creation has blessed Concordia University, Nebraska with opportunities to equip students with a Lutheran Christian higher education for vocations of service in business, laboratories, hospitals, industry, courtrooms, government, the military, their home and the communities where they reside; and The God of all wisdom and knowledge has blessed Concordia University, Nebraska by enabling it to serve the Church and world through 0 undergraduate and graduate academic programs at its campuses in Seward and Lincoln, through its high school partners and online; and The God of service has blessed the Church and world through the more than,000 alumni, sainted and living, of Concordia University, Nebraska who have walked by faith and not by sight and the hundreds of gifted and faithful faculty and staff who served these men and women during their educational studies; and The God of abundance has blessed Concordia University, Nebraska through the tens of thousands of donors who have faithfully supported the University with their prayers, generous gifts and referral of students; and The God of grace and mercy continues to bless Concordia University with record numbers of undergraduate and graduate students, in 0-. Therefore be it That the 0 Convention of the Rocky Mountain District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pause from its regular business to offer special thanksgiving and praise to almighty God for His continued blessings on Concordia University, Nebraska and to commend its students, faculty, staff and administration to His continued providential care. Be it further That the Rocky Mountain District memorialize the LCMS at its July 0 Convention to declare November, 0 as a synodwide Concordia University, Nebraska Sunday, encouraging and facilitating prayers, thanksgiving, offerings, gifts and SECTION V PAGE student referrals to be given in celebration of the Lord s abundant blessings to the Church through one of its treasured universities.

13 To Disavow the 0 CTCR Immigration Study Immigrants Among Us in November 0 the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) approved a report on immigration, requested by President Kieschnick, entitled Immigrants Among US: A Lutheran Framework for Considering Immigration Issues; and The report does not seek to provide policy recommendations. Rather, it considers immigration issues in light of important Lutheran theological concepts such has the love of neighbor and the doctrine of vocation." (0 Convention Workbook, ); and the report ignores the important Lutheran theological concept of distinguishing rightly Law and Gospel. The Bible (followed by Luther and Walther) tells Christians to respond to sinful humans by confronting them with law and then, after they repent and are contrite, to comfort repentant and contrite sinners with Gospel; and The study is addressed especially, although not exclusively, to Lutherans who are asking how they can engage in mission, mercy work, and spiritual care among immigrants who live in their midst whether documented or not while also upholding their responsibility to obey the government authorities and the immigration laws they enact. (IAU, p. -); and the report does not distinguish between documented and undocumented immigrants, that is, between legal residents and unrepentant lawbreakers, e.g., p., note : it remains still problematic in the New Testament era to argue that for immigrants to participate in the blessings of the church or spiritual Israel in the U.S. today, they must first become legal residents or citizens of the temporal national-state. The New Testament places no such temporal conditions for becoming children of God through faith in Christ; and failure to distinguish documented and undocumented immigrants is found in official LCMS documents such as Church and State by the Rev. Larry Vogel (October, 0) and the President s letter to the Hispanic ministries (January, 0); and The New Testament tells sinners and lawbreakers to repent in order to receive the blessings of the Gospel, e.g., Matthew :; and those who resist Caesar when he is not commanding sin are resisting God to their judgment (Rom. :); and the report (p., note ) criticizes James Hoffmeier, The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible (Wheaton IL: Crossway, 00) because he "takes as his starting point and overall framework obedience to the law." All Christians should take as their starting point obedience to the law. Hoffmeier explicitly recommends comforting the repentant with the Gospel, but he rejects Gospel reductionism; and Hoffmeier argues that The Bible clearly distinguishes between the status of a legal alien (ger) and a foreigner (nakhar and zar). (Immigration Crisis, p. ); and SECTION V PAGE

14 0 0 Rocky Flats Circuit the report questions Hoffmeier s statement (p., note ) by referring to Daniel Carroll, The Denver Journal (January 00). Carroll ignores the frequent legal us age of the noun and refers to five ambiguous uses of the verb (Judges :; Psalms :; Jeremiah :, ; :), four of them poetic and one oracular. On the Song of Deborah in Judges May and Metzger comment, The Hebrew text is, unfortunately, so corrupt in some places as to be almost unintelligible. Exegesis that ignores context and clear passages and emphasizes corrupt or ambiguous ones to argue against the clarity of Scripture is poor scholarship and bad theology; therefore be it That the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod disavow the 0 report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) entitled Immigrants Among US: A Lutheran Framework for Considering Immigration Issues; and be it further That a new report be prepared that gives adequate attention to the distinction between Law and Gospel; to the need for repentance and contrition before receiving God s grace and to the distinction in Biblical Hebrew between ger (legal resident and refugee) and nakhar and zar (foreigner) that reflects the contemporary American distinction between documented and undocumented immigrant; and be it finally That official documents of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod that do not respect these distinctions be revised, rewritten or withdrawn. SECTION V PAGE

15 To Encourage District To Facilitate Coordinated Youth Ministry Among District Congregations Rocky Flats Circuit the Synod and District have offered excellent coordination of Youth Ministry in the past, with Walther League and LYF; and there are currently fewer youth in many congregations, so that smaller and more elderly congregations are challenged to provide significant and robust ministry to and with their youth; and youth are precious to Christ, and important members of the church now, and will be valuable leaders of our congregations into the future; and larger congregations are often provided with greater opportunity and responsibility to coordinate larger Youth Ministry events, because they may have called staff to work with youth, but may not be able to adequately coordinate Youth Ministry in their wider area or on a District level because of the work they are doing with their own youth; and such larger congregations may not have adequate resources, even working with other congregations, to coordinate and facilitate District-wide, or even State-wide Youth Ministry gatherings and events; therefore be it that the District President, Vice-Presidents, and the District Board of Directors prioritize exploration of ways to centrally coordinate and actively encourage and facilitate larger Youth Ministry activities within the Rocky Mountain District, at the District, Tri-Circuit, and Circuit levels; and be it further that the District President reach out to the synodical leadership at LYF, or to other appropriate synodical officials, to explore ways in which the Synod and LYF can support District efforts to encourage and facilitate coordinated Youth Ministry, including especially support for smaller and more elderly congregations with few youth; and be it finally that we pray for the youth of our congregations, and pray that a robust and energetic program of Youth Ministry be coordinated to promote cooperation among congregations and support for Youth Ministry in all congregations within our District and Synod. SECTION V PAGE

16 To Ensure Timely and Transparent Financial Reporting in the Synod A principle of Biblical stewardship is to be accountable with the resources with which one has been entrusted, as expressed in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew : ff.); and Much is required of those to whom God has entrusted his gifts. As Jesus said, Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more (Luke :b, ESV); and The Scriptures teach it is required of stewards that they be found faithful ( Corinthians :, ESV); and The Synod has historically recognized its responsibility of accountability and faithfulness in the handling of the finances entrusted to it by its members, as is witnessed in Bylaw.., The Synod and each of its agencies shall fully disclose their financial books and records to any member congregation of the Synod; and The Synod in previous conventions has expressed its opinion that such accountability and faithfulness be found additionally in regular reporting of such financial disclosure by adopting 00 Convention Resolution -0, To Broadly Communicate the Statement of Financial Position of LCMS, which reads in its totality: It is helpful to understand the Synod s financial position and communicate it to the members of the congregations of Synod; therefore be it That each November, the Vice-President Finance Treasurer of the Synod use widely available means, (i.e., The Lutheran Witness, Reporter, the LCMS Website) to state the financial position of the Synod in a format easily understood by persons unfamiliar with financial terminology. (00 Convention Proceedings, p. 0); and The members of the Synod expressed even further the need for full transparency in all areas of financial disclosure by adopting 0 convention RESOLUTION -0A, To Improve Disclosures Related to Financial Gifts from God s Stewards for Special Appeals, which stated in part, Monies for special appeals requested by corporate Synod (e.g., following natural disasters) are reported only in part in Synod publications (e.g., Reporter and The Lutheran Witness) and sometimes only annually; and Donors and members of the Synod are interested in the impact of funds raised for special appeals and will appreciate improved disclosure of results; therefore be it That the financial offices of corporate Synod continue to recognize the desire of donors and members of the Synod to improve processes of reporting and work to provide clear, timely, and transparent accounting for all funding and special appeals, so that the Body of Christ may experience the joy of Gospelcentered mission and ministry beyond the local context or community. (0 Convention Proceedings, p. ); and It was reported to the 0 Convention of the Synod by the Board of Directors in its Report on the Disposition of Funding the Mission Recommendations (R-0-0) that the decline in the Synod s annual unrestricted revenue continues The board believes that congregations will respond through better, open, and honest communication about the great things God is able to accomplish for His kingdom when we work together. Numerous conventions have passed resolutions calling on congregations to maintain and increase unrestricted support for district and Synod ministries, yet the unrestricted support passed through our districts to the Synod has continued to decline at the average rate of $ million each year. (0 Convention Workbook 0, p. -); and SECTION V PAGE

17 0 0 0 In 0, the Chief Financial Officer of the Synod, in reporting to the Synod about offerings received, stated, This sharing from God s bounty continues to decline. Although the amount of decline in the past three years has not been as severe as the average decline of the previous 0 years, it is still trending negatively. In the face of continued declining unrestricted revenues, the ability of Synod, Inc. to respond quickly and nimbly to mission and ministry opportunities and challenges laid before us by our Lord also declines, as does our ability to fill in the gap when restricted revenues, needed to fund much of our mission and ministry activities, fall short of their goals. The financial challenges facing our beloved Synod persist. I believe that these challenges are of our own making, a product of how we distribute the resources provided by our loving Father. (0 Convention Workbook, pp. -); and There have been few tangible reports about the financial struggles of the Synod, such as the need to trim $ million dollars from the budget of the Synod (ref. July, 0 Reporter, and the May -0, 0 Synod Board of Directors Minutes src=lcm&id=), these reports are less than sufficient to keep the members of the Synod regularly informed about the financial condition of the Synod; and It has been widely reported, albeit not in the official channels of the Synod communications, that the Synod has only minimal days of operating capital in its cash reserves, which would seemingly place the synod in a precarious financial position (ref. Paragraph, Financial Reports of the February -, 0 LCMS Board of Directors Minutes which stated that without funds held on behalf of the two Seminaries, Synod had only a days of cash available); and In the face of such challenging financial times, transparency and regularity in reporting of the financial situation of the Synod is of upmost importance to the members and constituency of the Synod who have a vested interest in the financial viability of the Synod and who merit clear, concise, and timely reports; and The president of the synod recommended in his report to the Synod in 0 that the synod have Uniform Financial Reporting. (0 Today s Business, p. ); therefore be it That the Rocky Mountain District in convention memorialize the Synod in convention to direct the Chief Financial Officer to report quarterly in the Synod s official publications about the financial position of the Synod in a format easily understood by persons unfamiliar with financial terminology, such reporting to include, but not limited to income and expenses, budget versus spending, cash reserves and cash position, etc.; and be it further That these quarterly reports include information about the regular Synod budget and the reporting on special appeals as stipulated in 0 Resolution -0A; and be it further That the Synod be shrewd managers with the resources God has given it; and be it finally That the Synod give thanks to God for the resources He has entrusted to us, recognizing That the earth is the Lord s and the fullness thereof (Psalm :, ESV). First Lutheran Church Salida, CO SECTION V PAGE

18 To Overrule Board of Directors May 0 Resolution -, re Bylaw.. The 0 Convention of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, in its Resolution - [ Regarding the Right of an Accuser to Appeal When a District President or President of the Synod Fails to Act or Declines to Suspend ] and according to Bylaw.., deferred its rightful and legislative authority regarding the development of ecclesiastical supervision bylaws with respect to and inclusion of the President of the Synod, the decision given to Synod s Board of Directors; and Resolution -, in accordance with Bylaw.., set forth a specific path and timeline for consideration, negotiation and counsel to be conducted with the Council of Presidents, with any proposed amendments to the bylaws to be reviewed by the Commission on Constitutional Matters and the Commission on Handbook; and Resolution - states that the Commission on Constitutional Matters in Op. - has indicated portions of the expulsion processes of Synod s Bylaws are presently in an unconstitutional state with respect to Const. Art. XI B and Const. Art. XIII ; and The Board of Directors, acting under Bylaw.. and at the express direction of the 0 Resolution -, in May of 0 adopted changes to the bylaws of the Synod regarding ecclesiastical supervision; and The Constitution of Synod defines clearly, precisely, and fully the supervisory role of the President of Synod, wherein the President of Synod has the supervision regarding the doctrine and the administration of a. All officers of the Synod; b. All such as are employed by the Synod; c. The individual district of the Synod; d. All district presidents (XI.B.); and The President of Synod, as ecclesiastical supervisor, is limited in the exercise of said power, assuming only such rights as have been expressly conferred (XI A.) [ The officers of the Synod must assume only such rights as have been expressly conferred upon them by the Synod, and in everything pertaining to their rights and the performance of their duties, they are responsible to the Synod. ], which are expressly conferred to be the power to advise, admonish, and reprove.conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod (XI.B.); and Synod s Constitution expressly confers upon the District Presidents the duty to exercise supervision over their district s ministers and to visit and hold investigations in the congregations (XII.), including the District Presidents being empowered to suspend from membership their district s ministers (XII.); and Prior to the year 0 and CCM Op. -, numerous CCM opinions [to wit Ag. 0, Op.-, -, 0-, 0-, and 0-, A and C] interpreted the President of Synod s scope of ecclesiastical supervision do not include supervision over individual workers and congregations expressed in Article XII.,; therefore, be it SECTION V PAGE

19 0 0 That the Rocky Mountain District in convention memorialize the Synod in convention, as the ultimate legislative body of Synod [Bylaw..: The delegate convention of the Synod is the legislative assembly that ultimately legislates policy, program, and financial direction to carry on the Synod s work on behalf of and in support of the member congregations. It reserves to itself the right to give direction to all officers and agencies of the Synod. Consequently, all officers and agencies, unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws, shall be accountable to the Synod for all their actions, and any concerns regarding the decisions of such officers or agencies may be brought to the attention of the Synod in convention for appropriate action. This provision does not apply to specific member appeals to the Concordia Plans, which has its own appeal process for such cases. ] to consider the following to be steps to the resolution of this matter; and be it further That changes, subsequent to 0 Convention Resolution -, made under Bylaw. Expulsion of Congregations or Individuals from Membership in the Synod, under Bylaw. Expulsion of a District President or Officer from Membership in the Synod, under Bylaw. Expulsion of a President of Synod from Membership in the Synod, and under Bylaw. Expulsion of Individuals from Membership in the Synod as a Result of Sexual Misconduct or Criminal Behavior, as a result of 0 Convention Resolution -, as adopted by the Board of Directors (May 0) be overruled and of no effect; and be it further That Bylaws.,.,. and. be returned to and replaced by the same corresponding Bylaws as set forth in the 0 Synod Handbook; and be it further That a Blue Ribbon Task Force of seven members, with four members appointed by the District Presidents, three of whom shall be District Presidents, and three members appointed by the President of Synod, be authorized and formed to conduct a thorough study of the ecclesiastical supervision matter, including Articles III, VI, VII (studies of Articles VI and VII were previously resolved by the 00 Convention), XI, XII, and XIII, and make recommendations to the 0 Synod Convention, including any necessary revisions of constitutional provisions, with the purpose of evangelically resolving the current difficulty and division among us; and be it further That all relevant CCM opinions such as -, -, -, -, -, - and - be placed in abeyance until the 0 Convention and any necessary action at the 0 convention; and be it further That Synod in convention affirm the powers provided to the Synod President to advise, admonish and reprove conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod do not include direct supervisory responsibilities of individual members of Synod, since such individuals are under the ecclesiastical supervision of District Presidents; and be it finally That the convention pray for peace and harmony in the Synod as it moves forward in mission and ministry. First Lutheran Church Salida, CO SECTION V PAGE

20 To Ensure That the Rocky Mountain District Convention Is Never Held Over Fathers Day Weekend Again Four Corners Circuit this year s convention was not supposed to be held on this weekend but was moved because scheduling problems and is therefore falling on Fathers Day Weekend; and many attendees of this convention are Fathers; and at least half of the attendees at this convention will not be able to take Fathers Day off to spend with their families; and the vocation of father is an important and God given vocation; and we as Christians may do society a favor in observing the holiday of Fathers day in an effort to show that we are serious when we say fathers are important and integral to a family and for the raising of children, and having the convention on Fathers Day has caused hardship for some Fathers who had to make a choice between tending to district business which they find important and family obligations which they perhaps found more important; therefore be it that we do not have a convention on Fathers Day weekend ever again. SECTION V PAGE 0

21 To Ensure Circuit Visitors and other District Officers Are Adequately Compensated For the Mileage They Put On Their Vehicles While Tending to District Business Four Corners Circuit The office of Circuit Visitor is a highly valued volunteer position with in the polity of the LCMS; and Circuit Visitors ought to be encouraged to tend to their duties as Circuit Visitors; and congregations are obligated by the district to pay vacancy pastors the going business rate as set by the IRS for mileage; and being a Circuit Visitor often entails evenings away from home attending to call meetings hundreds of miles away; and they are often not compensated at the business rate set by the IRS and therefore feel as if they even pay to tend to the business which is already calling for them to volunteer their time: and Circuit Visitors are often pastors of smaller congregations who are already strapped financially and can ill afford to volunteer both time and money to this endeavor; therefore be it That the district office be obligated to pay mileage in accordance with the Business rate set annually by the IRS for Mileage compensation SECTION V PAGE

22 To Realign the Four Corners Circuit in a Manner that Is Agreeable To All Members of that Circuit Four Corners Circuit currently the Four Corners Circuit is split between to geographical areas (the Western and Southern) of the Rocky Mountain District so that some congregations and pastors have one area vice president and others have another area vice president; and the pastors and congregations of the Four Corners Circuit have often found it more convenient, and easier to attend tri-circuit conferences in the Southern Region; and the Four Corners Circuit is often also aligned with the Pecos Circuit for the purposes of tending to National Convention issues; and the Four Corners Circuit already has three congregations in the Southern Region; therefore be it That the Four Corners Circuit be incorporated into the domain of the Southern Region. SECTION V PAGE

23 To Reduce Expenses and Increase Cost-Effectiveness of the District and Its Congregations Resolved our Lord has called us to be wise and careful stewards of the resources entrusted to our care (Matthew :-; Luke :-), and the expense for pastors attending multiple conferences, convocations, conventions, and other meetings throughout the year presents a financial burden on congregations, particularly smaller congregations, and tri-annual District conventions, as required by the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Bylaws, Article IV, except in multiple parish situations, mandate the presence of at least on pastor per congregation in the District, and those same pastors are required to attend annual District Pastor Conferences as specified in the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Bylaws, Article V, Section A.., thereby doubling the financial burden of congregations and pastors during convention years, and the financial burden on the District is also significantly increased during District Convention years, when both a Convention and a District Conference for Professional Workers must be held, therefore be it that the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Bylaws, Article V, Section.0, A, be amended as follows: A conference for all Ordained Ministers in the District shall be held annually during years when the District does not meet in convention. Holy Cross Colorado Springs, CO SECTION V PAGE

24 TO RECOMMEND THE ADOPTION OF SPECIAL STANDING RULES FOR THE 0 CONVENTION Past conventions of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod have benefited by the adoption of a number of special standing rules; and These special standing rules could also be helpful for conventions of The Rocky Mountain District; therefore be it That the 0 Convention of The Rocky Mountain District adopt the following standing rules:. The Chair will attempt to ensure the agenda is followed as closely as possible.. Resolutions of each floor committee shall be prioritized and presented in prioritized sequence.. Resolutions presented by the floor committees that are not acted upon by the convention before adjournment die. The subject matter may be reintroduced at the next convention by means of an overture.. During the final two business sessions of the convention, the President shall have the privilege to call up for consideration resolutions, overtures and actions that in his judgment should be acted upon by the convention before adjournment.. When recognized by the chair, each member of the convention shall state his/ her name; and, the name and location of the Synod Member represented or appointing the member.. The two minute rule shall be strictly enforced regarding all speakers from the floor and the committee during debate.. To the extent there are speakers in favor of a proposition (Pro) and speakers against a proposition (Con), they shall approach the microphone designated for their position. The chair shall recognize speakers at the Pro and Con microphones in alternating order starting with the first Pro speaker. A speaker at the wrong microphone will be declared out of order.. Any voting member may call the question. The question may not be called by a speaker immediately after speaking for or against the question. Whether to call the question will not be debated. A / majority is required to end debate. At the expiration of minutes of debate on any question, the Chair shall automatically call the question.. In addition to a voice vote, the chair shall simultaneously require the raising of a single hand for visual confirmation of the vote. 0. If a substitute motion is offered and seconded, the presenter of the substitute motion shall be offered two minutes to provide a rationale. The convention shall then, without debate, vote on whether to consider the substitute motion. If a simple majority votes to consider the question and the substitute motion is adopted, the original motion fails without further action. If consideration of the substitute motion is declined or if it fails after a vote on its adoption, the original motion is again before the house ( Behnken Rule ). SECTION V PAGE

25 0 0. The preface, preamble and whereas clauses are considered an integral part of each resolution or overture and shall be subject to the same serious consideration and adoption as the resolution or overture itself.. Any proposed amendment to an overture that exceeds five () words in length shall be written and provided to the Secretary immediately after it is moved and seconded.. Approval of the minutes of the previous day s business will be had at the first business session following their distribution. Corrections involving or implicating convention action shall be offered from the floor. Spelling, formatting and editorial corrections shall be submitted to the Secretary in writing for subsequent inclusion in the minutes.. Floor Committees shall provide Omnibus Resolutions to allow for the consolidation of overtures to be brought to the Assembly that the Committee will not recommend because they: A. should be presented first to a District Officer, Board, Commission or Committee before convention action; or, B. have been given adequate and appropriate attention by a previous District or Synodical Convention or action; or, C. the Floor Committee otherwise chooses to decline. Copies of the Omnibus Resolution Instructions and procedures will be provided to the committee chairmen. All committees will submit the overtures to be consolidated under A, B or C to the Secretary of the District to be combined into a single resolution that will be in the form described in the Omnibus Resolution Instructions.. In order to preserve the efficiency of the electronic voting process, elections to the Nominating Committee shall be conducted in the following order: a. Commissioned Ministers for the election of one at-large member; and then, b. Laypersons for the election of two members with each being from different geographic areas; and then, c. Pastors for the election of two members with each being from the two geo graphic areas not represented by the laypersons previously elected.. Parliamentary procedure is intended to carry out the wishes of the Assembly in an orderly and efficient manner and should not be used to obstruct convention action. Unless otherwise provided in these Standing Rules, parliamentary procedure shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised edition. SECTION V PAGE