I’m doing more than one floor committee today, so that we can get through all seven by Friday, which is when the committee chairmen (listed on page 11 of Today’s Business) want feedback to be received.
We continue, then, with Committee 3, Life Together. As with all of the proposed resolutions, it is helpful to have at hand these documents:
Today’s Business
Convention Workbook
2010 Handbook
3. LIFE TOGETHER (TB, pp. 69-83)
3-01: To Expand the Koinonia Project
Will pass, but leaves out, as specific content to be included in the Koinonia Project, Articles VI and VII of the Constitution, which Ov. 3-08 (CW, p. 151) would have specified.
3-02: To Respect One Another and Put the Best Construction on All Things
Still, there is a distinction between private offenses and public offenses. But how would this resolution be used?
3-03: To Support, Commend, and Increase Witness, Mercy, and Life Together Ministry of Lutheran Schools
Will pass.
3-04: To Authorize a Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran Schools
To find ways to help support and save our Lutheran schools.
3-05: To Address Responsible Internet Use in Congregations
Will pass.
3-06: To Adopt Mission and Ministry Emphases for the 2013-2016 Triennium
Continue “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphasis.
3-07: To Further Promote Mission Awareness, Support, Collaboration, and Coordination for Rural and Small Town, Urban and Inner City, and Suburban Ministry
Let’s do ministry “in these areas” of our nation, which are . . . just about all of them.
3-08: To Reaffirm Faithful Church Revitalization as a Priority of the Office of National Mission
What all is meant by “revitalization”? And what about the evaluation of Transforming Churches Network?
3-09: To Continue to Support and Promote Black Ministry in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
ONM to appoint Director of Black Ministry. Black Ministry Convocation in 2014. Will pass.
3-10: To Appoint a Task Force to Study the Call Process for Returning Missionary and Military Chaplains and Other Rostered Church Workers without a Call
Seek to get calls for returning chaplains and missionaries and for those church workers on candidate status.
3-11: To Support Church Workers
Encourage congregations to meet district salary guidelines for called workers. The resolution will pass, but I will be flabbergasted if the actual end result ever happens.
3-12: To Affirm Our Worship Treasures Old and New and Commend the Document, Text, Music, Context
Commends this resource for evaluating worship materials.
3-13: To Update Synod’s Catechetical Materials
Would update 1991 edition’s “Explanation” section. Would also produce a more comprehensive adult edition.
3-14: To Encourage Daily Family Devotions
Commends CPH resources for such. Gives more attention to home devotions.
3-15: To Encourage Study of Lutheran Confessions to Celebrate Reformation
Prepare resources to promote study of Confessions, especially looking toward 2017 anniversary.
3-16: To Express Thanks to the Office of the President and Offices of National and International Mission
Thanks, everyone!
3-17: To Thank and Commend the Lutheran Church Extension Fund
Thank you guys, too.
3-18: To Commend Concordia Publishing House
We commend you!
3-19: To Respectfully Decline Overtures
A couple of “mission and ministry” overtures didn’t follow proper procedure.
Next time: Committee 4, Theology and Church Relations.